1. Rationale
Inclusive and equitable quality education lies at the heart of Rwanda’s vision for sustainable human development and social transformation. Despite notable progress in expanding access to education, children with disabilities and special needs, as well as those from marginalized backgrounds, continue to face barriers that limit their learning potential and participation in society.
These barriers include inadequate inclusive infrastructure, insufficiently trained teachers, limited assistive learning materials, and persistent stigma and discrimination. Such challenges hinder the achievement of Rwanda’s national education goals and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 - to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
BK Foundation firmly believes that every child deserves equal access to quality education, regardless of ability or circumstance. By investing in inclusive education, the Foundation seeks to empower learners to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the nation at large.
Through this Call for Proposals, BK Foundation aims to identify and support credible, experienced organizations with innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance inclusivity, strengthen the education ecosystem, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all learners in Rwanda.
2. Background
Established in 2023, the BK Foundation serves as the social investment arm of BK Group Plc, Rwanda’s leading financial institution. The Foundation drives inclusive and sustainable development through three strategic pillars:
- Education: Ensuring access to inclusive, equitable, and quality learning opportunities;
- Empowerment: Supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial inclusion; and
- Environmental Conservation: Promoting climate resilience and sustainable resource management.
Within its Education Pillar, the Foundation is guided by the goal to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” This commitment aligns with Rwanda’s National Inclusive Education Policy (2018), the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2018–2024), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4 and SDG 10).
While Rwanda has established inclusive education frameworks and strengthened institutional coordination through entities such as the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), significant challenges remain:
- Limited accessibility in schools and learning facilities;
- Inadequate training of teachers in inclusive pedagogy and special needs education;
- Insufficient assistive learning technologies and adapted materials;
- Persistent stigma and discrimination that marginalize children with disabilities; and
- Limited community and parental involvement in inclusive learning initiatives.
BK Foundation’s approach focuses on collaborative partnerships with local NGOs, social enterprises, educational institutions, and specialized institutions that have a proven track record in inclusive education delivery. Through this support, the Foundation seeks to:
- Expand access to education for children with disabilities and other marginalized groups;
- Strengthen teacher capacity in inclusive and child-centered pedagogies;
- Provide assistive devices, adaptive learning materials, and accessible school infrastructure;
- Promote community and parental engagement in supporting inclusive education; and
- Encourage lifelong learning through flexible, inclusive pathways for all learners.
Ultimately, this Call for Proposals reflects BK Foundation and BK Group at large unwavering commitment to building an education system where no learner is left behind.
3. About the Grant
Grant Objective
The grant seeks to support initiatives that improve access, equity, and learning outcomes for children with disabilities and special needs in Rwanda. The main objective is to enable these children to participate fully and equitably in education and community life.
Intervention Areas and Scope
Applicants are expected to design holistic interventions that may include:
- Inclusive Education Support: Development of adaptive curricula, provision of learning aids, teacher training, and classroom adaptations.
- Assistive Devices and Technology: Provision of Braille machines, hearing aids, mobility devices, ICT tools, and other assistive innovations.
- Capacity Building for Educators: Specialized training for teachers, school leaders, and education officers to enhance inclusive teaching methods.
- Parental and Caregiver Empowerment: Training programs for families to support home-based learning, positive parenting, and psychosocial wellbeing.
- Community Sensitization: Awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination, encourage enrollment, and foster inclusive school environments.
- Health and Rehabilitation Linkages: Collaboration with health and social services to provide therapy, counseling, and medical support where needed.
- Innovation and Sustainability: Piloting scalable models of inclusive education, integrating eco-friendly and sustainable approaches in program delivery.
Grant Description and Funding Terms
- Grant Type: Project Implementation Grant (Single Partner).
- Duration: 3 Years (with annual performance review).
- Disbursement: Performance-based tranches tied to deliverables.
- Matching Contribution: Minimum 30% of total project budget.
Expected Deliverables
- An inception report and detailed implementation plan within one month of award.
- Documented increase in enrollment and participation of children with disabilities in schools.
- At least two capacity-building programs for teachers and caregivers implemented.
- Evidence of extended provision of, or access to assistive devices and technologies.
- Quarterly and final progress reports with disaggregated data (gender, type of disability, and location).
- A sustainability plan outlining continuation beyond the grant period.
Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Grantees must:
- Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework with clear indicators.
- Conduct baseline and endline assessments.
- Submit quarterly narrative (Technical) and financial reports.
- Participate in BK Foundation site visits and independent audits.
- Collect and submit success stories to BK Foundation
Sustainability and Long-Term Impact
Applicants are required to demonstrate sustainability strategies, such as:
- Strengthening and mainstreaming inclusive practices in schools and communities.
- Establishing parent and community support groups.
- Strengthening partnerships with local governments and the private sector.
- Promoting environmentally sustainable practices (e.g., eco-friendly assistive materials, green school environments).
4. Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Entities
- Local NGOs, social enterprises, educational institutions, and specialized institutions registered and operating in Rwanda.
Experience and Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Minimum Experience: At least five (5) years of relevant experience in programs focused on children with disabilities, inclusive education, child development, or disability inclusion.
- Alternative Evidence: Organizations with less formal experience may apply if they can demonstrate:
- Successful community-based initiatives supporting children with disabilities,
- Partnerships with credible organizations or experts in the field, or
- Evidence of capacity to deliver inclusive programs, such as trained staff or documented outcomes.
- A proven track record of working directly with children with disabilities and their caregivers.
- Qualified staff in inclusive education, child psychology, rehabilitation, or related fields.
- Strong partnerships with schools, local governments, and communities.
- Adequate infrastructure (both hard and soft) to support project implementation and accommodate children with disabilities.
Organizational Infrastructure and Systems
- Valid legal registration and compliance with national requirements (RGB, RRA, RSSB).
- Functional governance structures and financial management systems.
- Risk management, child and adult safeguarding, and disability inclusion policies.
Geographical Coverage and Engagement
Preference will be given to organizations with strong local presence in Rwandan communities where children with disabilities face the greatest barriers.
Collaboration and Partnership Potential
Applicants should demonstrate ability to collaborate with:
- BK Foundation,
- Government institutions such as MINEDUC, REB, and NCPD,
- Community-based organizations and parents’ associations.
- Any other partner that may have a positive stake to the project performance
Required Documentation
- Registration certificate and organizational profile.
- Audited financial reports for the last two years.
- Tax clearance (RRA) and RSSB compliance certificates.
- References from at least three previous projects.
- Recommendation from NCPD
5. Technical Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be scored out of 100 points based on:
- Management Approach (20%): Strength and clarity of organizational systems, staffing structure, coordination mechanisms, and risk management strategy.
- Past Relevant Experience (30%): Demonstrated success and track record in inclusive education, disability inclusion, or related programs.
- Technical Approach (30%): Relevance, feasibility, innovation, and integration of sustainability, inclusion, and measurable results.
- Sustainability and Impact (10%): Long-term potential for systemic change, scalability, and measurable improvement in children’s lives and inclusion outcomes.
- Cost Effectiveness (10%): Efficient use of resources, value for money, and clarity of matching contribution or co-financing.
Bonus consideration may be given for innovative use of assistive technology, environmentally sustainable approaches, and evidence of strong partnerships with schools and communities.
6. Evaluation Process Overview
- Preliminary screening for eligibility and completeness.
- Technical review by a panel of experts.
- Due diligence, including reference checks and possible field visits.
- Final selection and grant negotiations with the highest-scoring applicants.
- Grant agreement, Award of the Grant and Implementation
- Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project Performance
7. How to Apply
Submission Format
Proposals must be in English, submitted as a single PDF file, and clearly labeled with the applicant’s organization name.
Proposal Components
- Technical Proposal: Organizational overview, rationale, intervention design, implementation plan, M&E framework, sustainability strategy, and risk management.
- Financial Proposal: Detailed budget with justification, including a description of the 30% matching contribution.
- Administrative Documents: Registration certificate, audited financials, compliance certificates, staff CVs, references.
Submission Method
Proposals must be submitted electronically through the BK Foundation website (https://bkfoundation.rw/).
Submission Deadline
The deadline for submission is 31st October 2025, 5:00 PM Kigali Time (CAT). Late applications will not be considered.
8. Questions and Clarifications
Applicants may send inquiries to bkfoundation@bk.rw no later than 28th October 2025, 5:00 PM CAT. Official responses will be shared with all applicants by 15th November 2025 to ensure transparency.