Purpose of the RFA

The purpose of this request for applications (RFA) is to help the Peruvian Government address the challenges of how to most effectively digitize government payments in the country and provide a roadmap with recommendations.

The expected result is a published study that identifies government payment flows, prioritizes the path to digitization, and provides specific recommendations for action on the way forward to accelerate digitization of government payments and further inclusive growth in Peru.

This research aims to reveal insights around Government flows of cash in Peru; at both the national and sub-national level; a priority ranking of payments to digitize in order to increase its efficiency and transparency and drive financial inclusion; along with barriers and opportunities for digitization; indicating how to digitize priority payments and specific actionable steps (e.g., a mix of payments channels and instruments across programs and within programs, action plan, potential cooperation/partnerships required between the government, private sector, and different players in the digital payments ecosystem); and opportunities to bring the private sector to participate in the digitization of those payment programs.

The final outputs and deliverables of the study are considered a public good. Thus, all the outputs and deliverables will be placed in the public domain after appropriate consultation with the intent that they can and should be freely and widely used by other parties.

Timing

Applications should be returned to the Better Than Cash Alliance Secretariat by email no later than midnight on November 27th 2015 Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).

It is anticipated that negotiations and grant signing will commence within 3 to 4 weeks of application submission.

Also, the deadline to submit consultations is November 13th 2015 Eastern Standard Time.

The overall duration of the study should be not more than four months. Expected date of full completion is April 7, 2016. Final presentation to key stakeholders is expected to take place between March and April 2016 with engagement in active dialogue throughout the process. Main stakeholders are comprised of: the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Central Bank, State Bank, Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, Regulator, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Association of Banks.

Contact

Applications and any consultation about this RFA should be submitted via email at sonia.arenaza@uncdf.org; copying in (cc) ruth.goodwin-groen@uncdf.org and mia.overall@uncdf.org Please include in the subject line of the email: Digitizing Government payments in Peru.

Responses

All queries and submitted applications will be acknowledged. FAQs will be shared with all applicants via email.