CFPs: Accelerate High Quality Outcomes-based Projects

Deadline Date: August 26, 2024

Donor Name: Outcomes Accelerator

Grant Size: $100,000 to $500,000

The Outcomes Accelerator offers flexible funding, targeted expertise, and networking to support OBF initiatives with testing, launching, and scaling.

The Outcomes Accelerator is a catalytic platform to accelerate more effective testing, scaling and the eventual mainstreaming of outcomes-based financing (OBF) approaches into the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) impact. The Outcomes Accelerator works with stakeholders across the outcomes-based financing ecosystem – including governments, development agencies, investors, services providers, intermediaries, and knowledge partners – to address the key barriers facing the market and unlock funding for high-quality outcomes-based financing projects.

Thematic Areas 

• For its third cohort, the Outcomes Accelerator is launching an open call for proposals, inviting innovative projects that align with one or more SDGs. The third cohort is open to all SDGs. Applicants will specify their project’s primary SDG areas of focus by selecting one of five specialized tracks outlined below:
  • Track 1: Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Climate 
    • This track targets initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and climate action. Projects may address issues such as combating climate change, ensuring access to clean water and renewable energy, protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable land use and marine and coastal areas, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience. Using outcomes-based financing approaches in these areas, this track aims to support the development of resilient ecosystems and sustainable communities.
    • Relevant SDGs:
      • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 
      • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 
      • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 
      • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 
      • SDG 13: Climate Action 
      • SDG 14: Life Below Water 
      • SDG 15: Life on Land 
  • Track 2: Education, Skills and Human Capital Development 
    • This track supports projects that enhance access to quality education and build the skills and capabilities of marginalized communities. Marginalized communities include groups that are systematically disadvantaged due to factors such as ethnicity, gender, disability, and socio-economic status. Initiatives may focus on enhancing learning outcomes, fostering inclusive and equitable educational environments, boosting employment opportunities, and advancing livelihoods by increasing worker skills, capacity, and productivity, while also promoting gender equality into outcomes.  
    • Relevant SDGs:
      • SDG 4: Quality Education 
      • SDG 5: Gender Equality 
      • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 
      • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 
  • Track 3: Inclusive and Sustainable Private Sector Growth 
    • This track focuses on promoting private sector growth that benefits all segments of society and in a way that preserves resources for the future. Projects may include initiatives to enhance access to finance for small and growing businesses, foster innovation, and promote sustainable consumption and production by the private sector. By supporting private sector development, this track aims to create economic opportunities and drive sustainable growth. 
    • Relevant SDGs:
      • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 
      • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 
      • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 
  • Track 4: Health and Well-being 
    • This track aims to improve public health and promote well-being. Projects may include initiatives to enhance healthcare services, support food security and nutrition, improve water quality, sanitation, and promote healthy lifestyles. By addressing these critical areas with innovative financial mechanisms, this track seeks to support the development of healthy and thriving communities.
    • Relevant SDGs:
      • SDG 2: Zero Hunger 
      • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being 
      • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 
  • Track 5: Livelihoods, Gender and Inequality 
    • This track focuses on promoting gender equality and reducing social disparities. Projects may aim to empower women and girls, support vulnerable populations, and address systemic inequalities. Initiatives could include increased economic opportunities, improved access to critical services, and policy changes ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all. Additionally, projects may explore opportunities such as small-scale financial services to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods, particularly for marginalized communities. 
    • Relevant SDGs:
      • SDG 1: No Poverty 
      • SDG 5: Gender Equality 
      • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Eligible Activities

• Product: Scoping study
  • Country-focused, looks at one or more topics. This should be done in partnership with an interested outcome funder.
  • Indicative Amount: Up to $60K -100 K
• Product: Early-Stage Design
  • High value opportunity requiring detailed design study
  • Indicative Amount: Up to US$300K
• Product: Late-Stage Design
  • Concept in late stage of design, requiring funding support to reach launch (e.g. finalization of key contracts, including outcomes contract)
  • Indicative Amount: Up to US$200K
• Product: Project Scale Up
  • Funding to support the design of a scale-up phase of an existing outcomes-based project. Can include design of outcomes fund.
  • Indicative Amount: Up to US$200K

Geography 

• Projects or services must be delivered in or be provided for the benefit of countries and territories eligible to receive official development assistance according to the OECD-DAC List of ODA Recipients.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Outcomes Accelerator invites applications from individual organizations or consortia, including, but not limited to:
  • Outcome funding organizations including multilateral and bilateral funding organizations, private philanthropy, and partner governments, which will be the primary end-clients of the Outcome Accelerator. 
  • Service delivery organizations, including non-profit and for-profit organizations that implement outcomes-focused programs. 
  • Market support providers including deal developers, intermediaries, advisory firms, research organizations, law firms, and evaluators; and 
  • Impact Investors including funds, development finance institutions, foundations, institutional and other investors, or providers of risk or working capital.

For more information, visit Outcomes Accelerator.