Call for Proposals: Blue Accelerator Program for MSMEs (Papua New Guinea)

Aims

• The program aims to provide technical assistance and early-stage grant finance and/or concessional loan products to businesses interested in expanding their reef-positive operations to create more transformative livelihoods, particularly for women and marginalized groups. The Blue Accelerator will take place over a period of 8 months starting in July 2025 and will involve tailored mentoring for each of the five businesses selected.

Objectives

• To support 5 MSMEs in Alotau, Milne Bay, to expand their reef-positive operations and create more transformative livelihoods, particularly for women, youths, and marginalized groups.
• To promote sustainable development and reef-positive livelihoods in Alotau, Milne Bay, through the growth of MSMEs in the blue economy sector.
• To provide technical assistance and early-stage grant finance and/or concessional loan products to selected MSMEs to support their growth.

The Program

• Successful participants of the Blue Accelerator Program will need to undergo transformative scaling processes under the guidance of carefully selected mentors and training programs. Grants to participants will only be made upon successful completion of scoped business plans, to be developed in the first stage of the selection process.
  Afterwards, tailored support will be provided for each business, for example through workshops or national mentorship. Although the total number of in-person days required to be dedicated to the Accelerator is limited, support will also be provided remotely, ensuring that enterprises are supported in achieving their business plans.

Eligibility Criteria

• Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) based in Alotau, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.
• Composition of founders having or led by at least 1 woman, or their solutions/business empower women (with strong evidence)
• MSMEs with operations that contribute positively to marine conservation and promote sustainable development, such as through reducing threats to coral reefs or mangroves.
• Operational experience of at least six months, with product or service with technical and economic feasibility and market presence
• MSMEs that are interested in expanding their operations to create more transformative livelihoods, particularly for women and marginalized groups.
• Have proof of the ability to generate financial returns and potentially receive loans in their present form or in the near future.
• MSMEs that are willing to commit to participating in the Blue Accelerator program and working towards the objectives of the ‘Gutpela Solwara, Gutpela Bisnis’ joint program of UNDP/UNCDF in Papua New Guinea, including potentially scaling their solution to other places in PNG.

For more information, visit UNDP.