ITALIAN AGENCY FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION: OPEN PROCEDURE FOR THE SELECTION OF INNOVATIVE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES TO BE ACCEPTED FOR CO-FINANCING.
The 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 25 September 2015 fully acknowledges the key role played by the private sector as the motive force of a sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Partner Countries.
The private sector is invited to rely on creativity and innovation in finding a solution to the challenges posed to sustainable development, starting by combating poverty and, at the same time, promoting the development of business models that are sustainable in terms of production and consumption, that take into consideration the social and environmental impact on local communities and that are grounded on the principle of an effective use of public resources allocated for cooperation. The European Commission released a Communication in 2014 on these issues, encouraging the more direct involvement of the national private sector in projects clearly aimed to promote development in Partner Countries. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) participates in boosting the role of the private sector in the achievement of sustainable development goals and in contributing to an inclusive economic growth by promoting partnerships with private entities, including for-profit companies, in the implementation of specific initiatives (Art. 17, Para. 4, Law N. 125 of 11 August 2014, which established the AICS).
To this end, the “Open Procedure for the Selection of Innovative Business Initiatives to be accepted for co-financing and to be implemented in cooperation Partner Countries in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals” published in the European Union Official Journal – 2018/S 224-512905 on 21 November 2018, aims to support innovative projects presented by the private sector towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in cooperation Partner Countries through funds allocated from the 2018 budget.
The documentation is available on the Website of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation -AICS a the following link: https://www.aics.gov.it/home-ita/opportunita/profit/area-imprese/bando/bando-2018/
In order to be admitted to the Call for Proposals, applications must be filed by 14 January 2019, as laid down in the procedure.
