Call summary :

The Transition States Coordination Office (RDTS) of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is pleased to announce the launch of the first Call-for-Proposals (CfP) of the Prevention Envelope of the Transition Support Facility (TSF) introduced under the sixteenth replenishment cycle of the African Development Fund (ADF-16).

Overview of the TSF Prevention Envelope

The Prevention Envelope represents an important shift in the TSF funding strategy, aligning with the AfDB’s 2022-2026 Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa. It adopts a results-driven approach that focuses on preventive interventions to address fragility and conflict, aiming for scaled up results and greater impact for lasting resilience. By addressing root causes proactively, the approach emphasizes the importance of preventing crises rather than responding to them. It takes a comprehensive, long-term perspective and promotes partnerships for integrated and regional solutions that leverage different sources of funding and financial instruments. Through this approach, the AfDB seeks to maximize the impact of its resources and support transformative change in vulnerable institutions, communities, and economies.

This CfP aims to foster partnerships and finance innovative high-impact projects across the thematic areas at the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, both to scale up results and fund new initiatives to prevent fragility promote lasting peace and resilience in Africa. The CfP will also seek to equip countries with requisite all-round capacities and resources and support them ease pressures from drivers of fragility and build resilience and stability for long-term sustainable development.

The 2023 Revised Operational Guidelines of the TSF provide a comprehensive overview of the operational modalities of the Prevention Envelope, and the following elements further specify key features for successful project proposals under this CfP.

Key Themes and Priorities

1/ Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment, and Youth Employment

2/ Climate Change Adaptation and/or Mitigation
This thematic area aligns with the AfDB’s 2022-2026 Climate Change and Green Growth Strategic Framework, acknowledging the climate-security nexus. Proposals are encouraged to create synergies with other internal instruments such as the AfDB’s Climate Action Window (CAW), mobilize additional climate finance from external sources, and scale up the results of high-performing existing climate-related investments. Priority should be given to measures that enhance resilience to shocks, promote climate change adaptation and climate-smart agriculture, green infrastructure, renewable energy, and ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. It is essential to integrate climate change considerations throughout the project cycle, adopt innovative approaches, facilitate technology transfer, and invest in capacity building to strengthen climate resilience. Support should be directed towards investments that bolster climate-robustness and preparedness in sectors such as agriculture, road transport, land use, biodiversity and ecosystems, water, health, and human settlements, as well as those that accelerate progress towards food security and sustainable livelihoods. Active engagement with local communities, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth are pivotal components in effectively addressing climate-related challenges.

3/ Catalyzing Private Sector Development


Project Proposal Requirements

The CfP prioritizes mature project proposals that clearly demonstrate positive impact and are designed to amplify the results of high-performing projects. Proposal should incorporate a fragility-sensitive theory of change; align with the ‘Do No Harm’ principle; and establish well-defined peacebuilding and conflict prevention objectives. Additionally, they should have the potential to drive meaningful results, facilitate transformative change, and significantly expand their impact.

Strong preference will be given to project proposals that are supported with formal request letters or evidence demonstrating the endorsement of beneficiary countries and alignment with the priorities of relevant national and/or regional priorities.

Particularly in insecure and challenging operating environments, including de facto situations, project proposals should outline potential risks, mitigation measures, and highlight how the proposed implementation arrangement will contribute to the long-term development of resilient, effective, and legitimate national institutions.

Funding and Resources

The TSF Prevention Envelope for the 2023-2025 period is supported by a