VOICES CIRCULAR ECONOMY CHALLENGE FUND (CECF)

Supporting (i)Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), (ii) Youth & Women Groups., and (iii) Consultants to provide training for Ideation stage SMEs

Mpulungu District, Northern Province – Zambia

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with Caritas Kasama and with financial support from the European Union, invites eligible and qualified applicants to apply for funding or submit proposals under the Vitalizing Opportunities in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions in Lake Tanganyika (VOICES) Project. The VOICES Project promotes inclusive, transparent, and market‑responsive circular economy solutions that reduce waste, protect Lake Tanganyika, create green jobs, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods, with a strong focus on women‑ and youth‑led enterprises operating in Mpulungu District.

1. Call for Applications: Start‑Up Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

CRS invites applications from recently established Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) or legally registered community‑based enterprises engaged in circular economy activities, including plastic waste recycling, charcoal briquettes production from organic waste, and organic compost production.

Grant support will be provided on an indicative and performance‑based basis, subject to satisfactory evaluation, due diligence, and availability of funds, and will vary by circular economy activity as follows: USD 15,000–20,000 for Plastic Waste Recycling MSMEs; USD 8,000–12,000 for Charcoal Briquettes Production MSMEs; and USD 8,000–12,000 for Organic Compost Production MSMEs, with an implementation period of six (6) to eighteen (18) months. Priority will be given to Mpulungu based women‑ and youth‑led MSMEs demonstrating viable, scalable business models with strong potential for environmental protection and social impact. MSMEs not based in Mpulungu should be ready to set up their business in Mpulungu district to receive funding support.

2. Call for Applications: Youth and Women Groups / Ideation‑Stage Enterprises

CRS invites applications from organized youth and women groups, Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILCs), and ideation‑stage enterprises based in Mpulungu District to receive structured capacity building and start‑up support in circular economy entrepreneurship. 8 groups will be supported through this awards and each selected group will receive a standardized and indicative support package valued at USD 5,000. additionally successful groups will receive practical technical training, business development mentorship, in one of the following 3 entrepreneurship areas: plastic waste recycling, charcoal briquettes production from organic waste, and organic compost production. The groups will also be supported with starter production equipment, and capacity building in product marketing.

3. Invitation to Bid: Consultancy Services for Capacity Building and Mentorship

CRS invites qualified individual consultants, firms, or Entrepreneurial Support Organisations (ESOs) with proven experience in circular economy and enterprise development to submit technical and financial proposals to provide training, mentorship, equipment support, and market linkage services to supported youth and women enterprises under the VOICES Project.

Key Dates

Advert Issue Date: 16 March 2026

Application Deadline –

Youth & Women Groups and Consultants: 31 March 2026

Start‑Up MSMEs: 15 April 2026

Requests for the full Terms of Reference (TORs) for any category must be submitted in writing no later than five (5) days before the respective closing date.

Submission of Applications and Requests for TORs

All applications, consultancy bids, and requests for Terms of Reference (TORs) must be submitted electronically via email to: tenders.zambia@crs.org. Applicants must clearly indicate the category being applied for in the email subject line. Any clarification provided by CRS will be shared in a manner that ensures equal access to information for all prospective applicants. Physical submissions will not be accepted, and late submissions will be disqualified.

Address for Correspondence

The Country Manager

Catholic Relief Services – Zambia

Plot No. 25215, Kumoyo Road, Pope Square

P.O. Box 38086, Lusaka, Zambia

Safeguarding and Disclaimer

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults. All applicants and service providers must adhere to CRS safeguarding, ethics, and prevention of exploitation policies. CRS Zambia reserves the right to accept or reject any application or bid in whole or in part, without assigning any reason and without incurring any liability. Issuance of this advertisement does not constitute a commitment to award funding or a contract. All processes will be conducted in a fair, transparent, and competitive manner in line with applicable European Union procurement and grant management principles.

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