The project proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria.

• Innovation. Projects should be innovative and must demonstrate non-conventional and creative approaches that, for example, link micro, small and medium enterprises with local, national or regional markets; connect the rural poor to the rest of the economy; advances Africa’s women, young, or indigenous entrepreneurs; provide new prospects for growth; develop new products and services; increase job opportunities and incomes; link enterprises with repositories of knowledge and skills and lead to a knowledge-driven transformation of local MSMEs; or offer a high potential impact on poverty reduction and economic development. 

• Entrepreneurship. Proponent organizations must demonstrate capacity to meet performance targets (i.e. relevant operational, financial and social development indicators) in a profitable business, be it through job creation, investment in local infrastructure, technical assistance etc.  Proposals will have to demonstrate through measurable results the ability of the entrepreneur to grow and thrive in the local and/or regional economy.

• Partnership. Project proposals must be submitted with a local partner (organization or individual) that is based in the country of implementation. In addition, the project should ideally entice networking and partnership amongst Sub-Saharan Africans in the diaspora across Europe.

• Sustainability. Projects must demonstrate the ability to be self-sustaining (covering its financial and operational costs) within a reasonable implementation period. Implementing organizations/individuals should demonstrate a track record or relevant experience in the field of their project idea. They should also display a realistic implementation strategy that demonstrates the eventual viability of the project beyond the support extended under D-MADE.

• Replicability. In order to have a real and sustainable impact on the development process of the countries of origin, projects must be expandable, with a potential to be scaled up to reach additional beneficiaries or replicated elsewhere. Projects should demonstrate tangible results within a defined timeframe to the benefit of the target group. Projects that have only a limited local reach will not be eligible.