1. PURPOSE OF THE RFP

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to identify, and contract qualified vocational training institutions in Uganda to provide practical, market-relevant skills training to youth (30 years and under). FINCA Uganda seeks to engage training partners who can deliver high-quality vocational courses in trades such as soap making, tailoring, carpentry, and other identified skill areas, and who can support youth to transition from training into viable income-generating activities or businesses.

This RFP supports FINCA Uganda’s broader initiative to address youth unemployment and promote gender equality by combining vocational training with access to capital, business mentorship, and market linkages. Training providers will form part of a Business Partnership Program designed to equip youth with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to succeed as entrepreneurs or employees.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

Selected vocational training institutions will be required to:

• Deliver short-term vocational training that includes but is not limited to the following skill areas:
  • Soap and candle making
  • Tailoring and dressmaking
  • Carpentry and joinery
  • Hairdressing and beauty therapy
  • Agribusiness and fishery
  • Welding and fabrication
  • Digital literacy and basic ICT
• Provide life skills and business development modules integrated into the training program.
• Support youth trainees to develop business plans or employment strategies.
• Collaborate with FINCA Uganda to refer qualified graduates for access to capital or business mentoring.
• Ensure gender-responsive and inclusive training environments, encouraging participation from young women and vulnerable youth.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be a legally registered training institution, Community Based Organisation, Youth Serving Organisation or NGO in Uganda. Including those registered at local district level.
• Have at least three (3) years of experience delivering vocational or skills-based training.
• Demonstrate access to appropriate training facilities and equipment.
• Employ qualified instructors with technical certifications and proven teaching experience.
• Have systems in place for monitoring trainee progress and tracking post-training outcomes.
• Commit to safeguarding policies, gender equity, and youth protection standards.

Required documents:

• Certificate of registration/incorporation and any other relevant company documents
• Valid tax clearance certificate
• Curriculum outlines for proposed skill areas
• CVs of key training staff and instructors
• Evidence of similar past projects (including references or completion reports)
• Sample trainee progress tracking tools or M&E plans
• Safeguarding and inclusivity policies

4. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Each proposal should include the following:

1. Technical Proposal

• Institutional profile and capacity statement
• Detailed training approach, curriculum, and duration
• Description of training facilities and equipment
• Strategy for gender inclusion and youth outreach
• Post-training support mechanisms (e.g., mentorship, job placement)
• Monitoring and evaluation framework

1. Financial Proposal

• Detailed budget per trainee and per course
• Cost breakdown: trainer fees, materials, venue, transport, administration
• Any in-kind contributions or subsidies offered

5. SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria:

Evaluation Criteria	Weight (%)
Relevance and quality of training program	25%
Experience and qualifications of trainers	20%
Institutional capacity and past performance	20%
Gender inclusion and youth outreach	15%
Cost-effectiveness and budget realism	20%

6. PROPOSED TIMELINE

Activity	Date
Deadline for submission	30th Aug 2025
Notification of award	30th Sep 2025
Contract signing	1st- 6th Oct 2025
Training commencement	13th Oct 2025

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Proposals must be valid for 90 days from submission.
• Selected providers will sign a contract outlining deliverables, reporting, and disbursement schedules.
• Disbursements will be milestone-based: 30% upon contract signing, 40% mid-training, and 30% upon submission of final training and outcome reports.
• FINCA Uganda reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate with shortlisted bidders.

8. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Submit proposals in hard copy to FINCA Uganda Head Office Head Office. Plot 11 B Acacia Avenue, Kololo:
Use the following title: “RFP – Vocational Training Services – [Your Institution Name]”

For online submissions, use the same title as above. The proposal document which should be a password protected PDF should be submitted to Catherine Nabaasa [email protected]

The password should be sent separately and exclusively to [email protected].

For inquiries, please contact Caroline Agaba, Project Manager -0740806421, or Catherine Nabaasa, Procurement Officer – 0776000919 before 30th Aug 2025.