What is D-MADE?
The Development Marketplace for African Diaspora in Europe comprises two components: the first is a Competition of innovative projects that will award prizes up to €40,000 in cash to innovative entrepreneurial Diaspora groups and individuals for projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Award winners will be provided with relevant support during implementation.
The second is the Knowledge Exchange Forum, which will bring together the diaspora, civil society organizations, government, the business sector, development partners and donors to exchange views, best practices, and explore ways to work together in fighting poverty in Africa. Its objective is to leverage the ideas and skills brought together through the competition to cause new thinking and collaboration that will continue beyond the competition.
When and where will it be held? The competition will be launched on September 17th, 2007 in Brussels, Belgium. From that date, applications can be submitted until November 23rd, 2007.
After a thorough review by business and development experts, the final round of the competition will take place on June 23-24, 2008 in Brussels. Finalists will present their projects in a marketplace, which is open to all registered members of the public. Visitors will be able to talk with the finalists in person and visit the different project booths that display further information about the proposed projects.
During the Marketplace, finalists will be interviewed by a panel of jurors comprising diaspora, donors, entrepreneurs and other private sector representatives, academia, non-governmental organizations, etc. who will then select the 10-15 winners which will be announced at the closing ceremony on June 24th, 2008.
Who is financing this initiative and what is the role of the World Bank? D-MADE is a partnership initiative, financed primarily by the governments of Belgium, France, and The Netherlands. The World Bank will cover the administrative expenses to prepare for and hold the competition and administer the program thereafter. Other donors are still being sought to contribute to increase the award pool and to provide technical assistance to winning projects for one year after the competition.
How many proposals is D-MADE accepting? There is no limit to the number of proposals accepted. We encourage any Sub-Saharan African in Europe with an innovative idea to apply.
Is D-MADE support a one-time event? D-MADE is the first development marketplace targeted at the African diaspora in Europe. A successful implementation of D-MADE might encourage donors to consider similar future activities.
I have won a Development Marketplace award in the past. Am I eligible to send a proposal? Award winners in past Development Marketplace Competitions and Country Innovation Days are eligible to submit a proposal that is significantly different from the project or idea for which they have previously received an award. They may not submit the same idea or project.