The results of the recent survey (READ: A Glimpse of the COVID-19 Impact on Philippine Social Enterprises) conducted by the Innovation for Social Impact Partnership (ISIP) project on the social enterprises (SEs) of the Social Impact Accelerator provided a preview of the impacts of the COVID-19 on SEs in the Philippines.
The responses on the survey showed that the pandemic and the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) immensely affected the operations and financials of the SEs. Majority of the SEs are looking for recovery financing and access to resources that can help them stay afloat.
Despite the disruption and negative impact brought about by the crisis, SEs also took the lead in creating innovations and initiatives that help combat COVID-19 and mitigate its effects while continuing to create impact in their partner communities . (READ: Impact-first: Social Enterprises in the Philippines Innovate to Respond to Coronavirus Pandemic)
As part of our RISE UP initiative for social enterprises (SEs) in the Philippines, ISIP launches the Innovative Solutions Grant Facility which will provide selected SEs support to access markets, talents, capital, and guidance to keep their business afloat and maintain their social impact. Through this grant facility, ISIP will help SEs rise up through innovation.
Who qualifies?
The grant is open to all SEs of the Social Impact Accelerator (Batch 1 and 2) and Impact Boost Camp.
SEs must demonstrate innovation that addresses the COVID-19 crisis. Their innovation could be through any of the following:
PRODUCT INNOVATION
Develops a new product to address or mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This may also be an improvement of current product’s performance or features, adapted to be of use in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
PROCESS INNOVATION
Implements a new or improved production and/or delivery method (ex. agriculture transportation solutions) in an effort to significantly increase their production levels and reduce costs in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ECQ on their business. In addition, this can be through the development of new revenue streams or distribution channels, provided that the innovation does not compromise the SE’s social impact embedded in its value chain.
What are the requirements?
Completed Application Form that includes the following:
Letter of interest to apply for the ISIP Innovative Solutions Grant Facility
Three-slide presentation that includes (problem at hand, proposed solution, blueprint/schematic diagram of the proposed innovative solution, implementation plan, operating procedures, beneficiaries, with complete disaggregation (age group, gender); geographic location;)
Specifically for Product Innovation Grant, aside from the requirements above:
Prototype of the innovation
FDA approval or any form of QA documentation is desirable.
Note: The grant available for SEs under the SIA Batch 1 or 2 is up to USD 10,000 and up to USD 5,000 for IBC SEs.
What will ISIP provide?
ISIP will provide a financial grant to the selected SEs to help fund their innovations that address COVID-19 and its impacts. Technical assistance, including mentorship, will come with the grant. The grant amount will depend on what problems and impact the innovation aims to address.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for submission of all the application requirements is on June 19, 2020, 12:00 noon.
Application Process
While we would like to support as many social enterprises as possible, the ISIP Innovative Grants Solution is only open to the social enterprises of the Social Impact Accelerator and Impact Boost Camp. We’ll keep you updated when we have available opportunities for other social enterprises.
Want to know if your social enterprise is a fit for the program? Get in touch with us at isip.ph@undp.org and we'll be happy to assist.