CFAs: AMI03 – Mechanization, Equipment, Compliance with Standards and Purchase of Produce (Central African Republic)

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting partner organisations to support agricultural production, mechanisation, market access and sustainable agri-enterprises for refugees, internally displaced people, returnees and host communities in Ouaka, Central African Republic. The opportunity aims to strengthen livelihoods, food security, self-reliance and peaceful coexistence by improving access to land, agricultural inputs, equipment, finance, storage, transport and collective markets.

About the UNHCR Agricultural Livelihoods Opportunity

The programme is designed to strengthen agricultural livelihoods among forcibly displaced and host populations in Ouaka, Central African Republic. It will support cooperatives, producer groups and smallholder farmers to move from subsistence-oriented production toward more productive, market-oriented and profitable agricultural activities.

The intervention combines:

Agricultural mechanisation Access to agricultural equipment and quality seeds Social and economic coexistence between displaced and host communities The programme is particularly relevant to organisations with experience in livelihoods, agricultural development, smallholder market systems, forestry production, vocational training and community-based economic development. Key Programme Areas Agricultural Mechanisation The selected partner will help producer groups access mechanised agricultural services to improve productivity and reduce the physical and time burden associated with land preparation and harvesting.

Support may include:

Mechanised land preparation Mechanised harvesting Access to appropriate agricultural equipment Technical assistance for equipment use Improved production efficiency Mechanisation is expected to help farmers cultivate larger areas and improve the commercial viability of agricultural activities. Agricultural Inputs and Production The programme will facilitate access to inputs and technical support required for market-oriented production.

Activities may include:

Distribution or access to quality seeds Agricultural equipment Technical production training Improved farming practices Sustainable production techniques Support for profitable agricultural enterprises The approach should respond to local market opportunities rather than focusing solely on increasing production. Cooperatives and Producer Groups A central component of the programme is strengthening collective organisation.

The selected organisation is expected to:

Identify existing cooperatives and producer groups. Support the creation or structuring of appropriate groups where necessary. Strengthen their organisational and management capacity. Facilitate collective agricultural production. Support collective purchasing and marketing. Link groups with financial and agricultural service providers. Cooperatives or producer groups are expected to have an average of 25 members, with each member collectively working on at least one hectare. Land Access The programme will support beneficiaries in obtaining access to secure agricultural land. Land-related activities should help participating groups establish reliable production arrangements while taking into account local conditions, community relations and protection considerations. Storage, Conservation and Transport Post-harvest losses can reduce the economic benefits of agricultural production. The programme therefore includes improvements to the handling of agricultural products after harvest.

Support may cover:

Improved storage facilities or arrangements Product conservation Post-harvest management Transportation Collective handling of agricultural products Better connections between producers and markets Collective Marketing and Market Access Producer groups will be supported to collectively market their agricultural products.

This can help participating farmers:

Aggregate production Improve bargaining power Access larger buyers Reduce individual marketing costs Develop more reliable market relationships Improve income from agricultural production The programme therefore links production, mechanisation, finance and market access rather than treating agricultural production as an isolated activity. Access to Finance and Agricultural Credit The opportunity also seeks to improve access to financial services and agricultural credit. Partner organisations may facilitate connections between cooperatives, producers and financial institutions or other appropriate financing mechanisms. The objective is to help viable agricultural groups obtain the resources needed to invest in production and develop sustainable enterprises. Who Is Eligible? The opportunity is intended for partner organisations capable of implementing the proposed agricultural livelihood activities in Ouaka, Central African Republic. Understanding of the Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach. Meaningful participation of forcibly displaced and stateless people. Environmental sustainability measures. Strong project management systems. Sound financial management systems. Local experience and presence. Community engagement capacity. Accountability and feedback mechanisms. Appropriate risk-management systems. Ability to operate safely in Ouaka. International organisations are encouraged to work with local organisations. Consortium applications must clearly explain the responsibilities of each organisation and include a capacity-strengthening and activity-transfer plan covering two to three years. Priority Beneficiaries The intervention is designed to benefit agricultural producers among: Refugees Internally displaced people Returnees Host communities Other forcibly displaced and vulnerable populations The programme combines livelihood support with protection and social-cohesion considerations so that economic activities contribute to longer-term self-reliance and coexistence. Why It Matters Agriculture can provide an important pathway toward economic recovery