The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has announced a competitive public procurement procedure under the 2024 Rural Innovation and Development Fund for a Programme for Nascent Rural Female Entrepreneurial Development.
In an effort to support rural female entrepreneurs, DAFM is seeking proposals from suitable, experienced service providers to develop and implement a tailored work programme to address the skills, enterprise, and capability gaps of female entrepreneurs.
Emphasizing the significance of this initiative, DAFM highlights the need for proposals to consider the barriers that can limit entrepreneurial activity in rural areas. Their objective is to create a conducive environment for female entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed.
The request for tender (RFT) was officially released for publication on May 7, marking the commencement of the selection process. The two-year contract, expected to cost over €1 million, excluding VAT, reflects the substantial commitment to this aspiring programme.
In a noteworthy development, DAFM has secured funding for the development and subsequent implementation of the programme. This financial support is derived from the Rural Innovation and Development Fund, established by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, with the aim of backing “innovative, small scale pilot initiatives.”
Furthermore, this rural female entrepreneurs initiative harmonizes with the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) plan. The plan, consisting of 34 recommendations, outlines actionable steps that the government can take to bolster the rural economy. The alignment of DAFM’s programme with this comprehensive plan underscores its potential far-reaching impact.
Aspiring service providers have until Monday, June 10, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. to submit their tenders for the entrepreneurial initiative programme. The selection will ultimately result in the appointment of a single provider, who may be an individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, a corporation, or any other commercial entity that meets the stringent criteria outlined by DAFM.
All submitted tenders will undergo a rigorous competitive process to identify the most suitable candidates for funding of proposed projects. This approach ensures that the selected provider possesses the requisite expertise and resources to execute the programme effectively.
Additionally, Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, is inviting tenders from service providers for agricultural education and training services. The four-year multi-party framework is expected to incur costs of approximately €3.36 million, excluding VAT. The framework agreement establishes a structured process through which tenderers can compete for contracts under the framework via mini-competitions, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
In conclusion, the invitation to tender from DAFM and Teagasc signals a proactive commitment to fostering rural innovation and entrepreneurship. By addressing the unique challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in rural areas, these initiatives hold the potential to drive economic growth and create countless opportunities for aspiring businesswomen.