Call for Application

UK Nepal – Nepal in Business

Growth Advisors

Call for Partnership

Nepal in Business (NiB) – Growth Advisors is a five-year initiative funded by UK International Development and implemented by DAI Global UK. NiB aims to unlock economic prosperity in Nepal through a two-pronged approach:

• Enhance productivity and competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to create productive jobs through grants and technical assistance. 
• Advance reforms to address sectoral, trade and business environment barriers through private-sector led and government-engaged approach. 

The call invites application from eligible private sector enterprises, ready to scale their business across three provinces in Nepal – Madhesh, Karnali and Lumbini – and three industrial corridors – Bhairahawa to Pokhara, Itahari to Biratnagar, Dhangadhi to Attariya – in four priority sectors: 

• Agro-Processing [MAPs & essential oils, spices] 
• Light Manufacturing [Natural fibres] 
• Tourism [Wellness and spiritual]
• ICT [IT & IT-enabled services (ITES) export]

Opportunity for private sector partnership:

NiB will partner with 40 SMEs in priority sectors to create 2700 jobs in targeted geographies. Each selected SME will be eligible to receive results-based matching grants and technical assistance, as informed by individual growth plans. The total investment for partnership through grants is GBP 4.5 million.

Eligibility for partnership:

To meet minimum eligibility criteria for NiB support, the applicants should: 

• Be a medium-sized enterprise with 50-250 employees (small enterprises with growth potential might be considered), 
• Have at least two years of operational experience, backed up by audited documents,
• Agree to co-finance to ensure shared ownership and risk, and
• Have a solid to expand and create 60-70 new jobs. 

Interested applicants are requested to submit their application to grants_nib@dai.com by 18 May 2025. You can download the application template through the following link: https://shorturl.at/KPEfF

Hard copies may be submitted via post to the address:

Nepal in Business – Growth Advisors Office,

Thirbam Marg, Baluwatar,

4-Kathmandu, Nepal.

For further information, contact Saroj_basnet@dai.com 

[Subject line for email inquiries: “NiB Grants - Questions: [Name of Applicant Organization]”]

Submission of application does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of NiB, nor does it commit NiB to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. NiB reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. Any intentional misrepresentation or falsified information might result in automatic disqualification and will not be considered by any further investment (grants or technical assistance) support the programme.