Purpose of the RFA

The purpose of this request for applications (RFA) is for a public study entitled “The opportunities of digitizing payments for companies” that will identify and present examples of the various benefits and challenges companies have experienced by digitizing payments in their value chains across different payment streams, especially in their relations with small suppliers and retailers, smallholder farmers, low-income employees and customers in emerging markets. The goal of this document is to support the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) in engaging private sector companies, beyond financial services and payment providers, to digitize payments across their value chains and recognize the important role they play in building inclusive digital payment ecosystems.

This research aims to provide a visual framework for business executives in large and medium-size companies to help understand why digital payments can create more efficient, transparent and inclusive value chains in different business sectors for the benefits of the companies and their business partners (such as employees, suppliers, retailers or customers) in emerging markets. The study will also include an analysis of the economic benefits and the business case for companies in shifting to electronic channels over the short and long term applied to one business sector. The study is intended to constitute a “call to action” for companies to digitize payments in their value chains and evidence the contribution of companies to inclusive digital payment ecosystems in key countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The final outputs of the study will be considered a public good for a wide usage and will be placed in the public domain after appropriate consultations.

Contact

Applications and any consultation about this RFA should be submitted via email to marjolaine.chaintreau@uncdf.org; copying in (cc) camilo.tellez@uncdf.org and amela.cosovic-medic@uncdf.org.

Please include in the subject line of the email: The opportunities of digitizing payments for companies.

Responses and Clarifications

All queries and submitted applications will be acknowledged. We will compile any questions and provide a FAQ to all applicants interested in this RFA. The deadline to submit any questions or consultations on the application requirement is midnight on July 21^st, 2017 Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).

Timing

Applications should be returned to the Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat by email no later than midnight on August 18^th, 2017 Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5). It is anticipated that negotiations and grant signing will commence within 4 weeks of application submission.

Expected date of full completion of deliverables is January 31^st, 2018. Presentation to key stakeholders of the Better Than Cash Alliance will take place prior to this date with engagement in active dialogue throughout the process.