In 2018, the Mastercard Foundation introduced the Young Africa Works strategy, an ambitious initiative aimed at providing 30 million young Africans with access to dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. A significant aspect of this goal is the focus on young women, who constitute 70 percent of the target population. The strategy is designed to address the youth employment challenge by fostering a supportive environment where vulnerable and marginalized young people can thrive, and where entrepreneurs and small enterprises can grow and succeed.
Platforms Supporting the Young Africa Works Strategy
The Foundation implements the Young Africa Works strategy through several programming platforms:
- Country Programs: Focused on specific nations to tailor solutions to local contexts.
- Pan-African Program: Encompasses initiatives that have a broader reach across multiple countries.
- Education and Transitions: Supports the educational needs and transitions of young people into the workforce.
- Special Programs: Addresses unique challenges and opportunities that arise during the implementation of the strategy.
An Innovative Approach to Impact
The Foundation’s Impact Strategy, adopted in 2020, marks a shift in how monitoring and evaluation are approached, emphasizing a holistic and practical view of impact. This strategy goes beyond traditional funder methods by focusing on outcomes and engaging young people—especially women—in defining what sustainable and transformative change means to them, their families, and their communities.
Call for Regional Impact Partner Organizations (IPOs)
The Mastercard Foundation is seeking Regional Impact Partner Organizations (IPOs) to support its Country Program Platforms across East Africa, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda. IPOs will play crucial roles in advisory, assessment, evaluation, and technical support across the Foundation’s programming platforms.
Minimum Requirements for Application
The Foundation is interested in hearing from African-led firms, organizations, and consortia with strong experience and capabilities. The consortium can include non-African organizations, but the lead organization must meet all of the following criteria:
- Principal place of business is in Africa.
- Incorporated and registered under the laws of an African country.
- Primarily African board and/or leadership by a citizen of an African country.
- Not controlled or governed by a foreign entity or individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of Africa.
Read more about the opportunity, submission requirements, and deadlines here
Key Dates and Information:
- Information Session: An information session will be held in the third week of August 2024 to answer questions about this Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) and the relevant program platforms. Interested organizations will receive an online invitation link.
- Submission Deadline: Expressions of Interest (EOI) should be sent by September 9th, 2024, COB Eastern Africa Time (EAT) to RegionalImpactPartnerOrganization@MASTERCARDFDN.ORG with the subject line “EOI Regional IPO [Specifying the Region to which you are applying].”
- Interviews: Qualified consortia will be interviewed in October 2024.
- Project Start Date: The selected IPO is expected to begin work on January 1st, 2025.
All submitted materials will be kept confidential and used solely to assess your expertise and interest in the role.
For more information on the Country Programs, please visit Where We Work in Africa. If you have any questions before the information session, please contact us at RegionalImpactPartnerOrganization@MASTERCARDFDN.ORG with the subject line: ‘Question on Regional IPO REOI.’
