Rwanda : DFID in search for Innovation for Education project operator
Posted on September 5, 2012 by admin in English, Ibikorwa
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) is in search of the viable applicants to operate the Innovation for Education (IFE) a program setup in a bid to improve Rwanda’s education sector.
Competitors will include NGOs, faith-based organisations, private sector projects, foundations, and consortia are all encouraged to apply for funding
This September 4, 2012, UK will reveal its partnership with Rwanda on education enhancement both in Rwanda and the region.
According to Marc Van der Stouwe, the head of the initiative, participants from different organizations will be offered a minimum of £50,000 and a maximum sum of £800,000.
The tough competition opens on September 4 and will last for a period of two week-long.
The two year- long project is but a part of the DFID’s efforts in Rwanda. In total, the UK government spends £83 million each year in Rwanda, and looks to continue doing so until 2015.
This stands in stark contrast to Sweden, the US, the Netherlands and Germany, which have all decided to delay or cut Rwanda off from aid for the year.
The countries allege that Rwanda has been offering military assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo rebel movement ‘M23’.
“I expect an extensive vetting process, coordinated under strict guidelines. Applicants will be screened by four criteria.
Projects need to be innovative, easily replicable by the Rwandan government, cost-effective, and of course, make long-lasting improvements to the quality of education in the region,” said Stouwe.
Recommended applicants will start their work in Rwanda in December 2012, and should work for approximately two years under the DFID’s tutelage.
Funded projects will be under close scrutiny by the IFE, constantly evaluated for effectiveness and direction.
The US offers more total foreign aid than any other country. However, the picture changes when aid amount is calculated as a percentage of gross national income.
Under such a metric, the US lags far behind, spending a mere 0.21% of its GNI. The UK spends 0.52% of its GNI in foreign aid.
“UK plans to spend about £10 million in this project expected to conclude in the year 2015,” said Stouwe.
