Sahaj Challenge Fund calls for applications

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Agricultural Market Development Programme Phase II (NAMDP/Sahaj) in collaboration with Idea Studio Nepal announced applications open for ‘Sahaj Challenge Fund’. The announcement was made during a virtual press meet on January 18. The first round of challenge fund will be used to solicit innovative ideas to address some of the most challenging problems and obstacles identified in logistics services and supply chain of agriculture in Province 1. Sahaj Challenge Fund intends to contribute to increasing employment and value-add in the agricultural sectors (maize, dairy, vegetables and cardamom) of Province 1. The fund will primarily issue grants to co-finance costs involved in developing and piloting new business models and solutions, reducing the commercial risk hurdle. The total budget for round 1 of the Sahaj Challenge Fund is expected to be approximately Rs 19.5 million. Support provided will be Rs 500,000 up to Rs 50,00,000, although exceptions are possible if approved by the SCF. Awards and accompanying support for innovations are expected to last for one year. Interested candidates can apply by visiting www.sahajcf.com or by filling the application offline at the premises of Idea Studio Nepal, Kathmandu or Purbanchal University School of Management, Biratnagar. The deadline for submitting the applications is February 18.