Through the World Bank-funded Cash for Jobs Project (P175327) (IDA-D9440), the Burundian government has awarded a BIF 17.01 billion contract to implement economic inclusion and human capital initiatives throughout rural provinces. Officially announced on August 27, 2025, the contract was awarded to a group of domestic and foreign organisations headed by COCAFEM/GL, AVEDEC, CARE International, and TWITEZIMBERE using the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method.
Overview and Scope of the Project
The provinces of Bururi, Rumonge, Mwaro, Rutana, and Makamba are the main focus of the awarded contract, which covers Lot No. 02. The project intends to improve rural economic inclusion and human capital development, which are essential components of Burundi's larger strategy to reduce poverty. The 30-month programme will provide community-based interventions that support social resilience, women's empowerment, and livelihood opportunities.This programme is a component of the Cash for Jobs Project, a nationwide initiative aimed at generating long-term employment, especially for vulnerable rural populations. It supports Burundi's continuous initiatives to use inclusive growth and participatory development to address gender inequality and youth unemployment.
Winning Evaluation and Consortium
The COCAFEM/GL (Collectif des Associations Féminines des Pays des Grands Lacs)-led consortium was the winner of a rigorous QCBS process that prioritised financial competitiveness (weighted 25%) and technical quality (weighted 75%).With a combined evaluation score of 84.93, the winning companies - COCAFEM/GL, AVEDEC, CARE International, and TWITEZIMBERE - surpassed the minimum qualifying score of 75.
Despite competitive bids from other local NGOs and international development partners like World Vision, Pathfinder, FXB International, and Caritas Gitega, their compelling technical proposal - bolstered by expertise in community development and social inclusion - won the award.
Competitiveness and Contract Value
The scope expansion and project scale are reflected in the signed contract price of BIF 17,010,975,997, which is higher than the assessed base price of BIF 14,074,550,413. A competitive procurement environment was demonstrated by the competing bids, which ranged from BIF 12.65 billion to BIF 17.72 billion.
Concerning the Recognised Organisations
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A regional women's organisation active throughout the Great Lakes, COCAFEM/GL is renowned for promoting social cohesion and gender equality.
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AVEDEC is a village-level organisation dedicated to agricultural empowerment and rural community development.
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A multinational humanitarian organisation dedicated to social justice and poverty alleviation, CARE International has a long history in Burundi.
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TWITEZIMBERE: A neighbourhood non-profit organisation that works on economic inclusion and community-driven projects.
These organisations work together to implement sustainable social programmes at scale by combining international best practices with grassroots experience.
Importance and Anticipated Effects
The contract that was awarded is an essential part of Burundi's Cash for Jobs Project, which provides targeted cash-for-work and inclusion programmes to vulnerable populations. By creating jobs, encouraging women to participate in the economy, and improving local service delivery, the project will directly benefit rural households.The programme also enhances Burundi's NGO ecosystem by involving both domestic and foreign partners, guaranteeing sustained capacity building and better governance in development initiatives.
To sum up:
Burundi reaffirms its commitment to inclusive growth, job creation, and social resilience under the Cash for Jobs Project, which is funded by the World Bank, with the signing of this BIF 17 billion contract. It is anticipated that the partnership between COCAFEM/GL, AVEDEC, CARE International, and TWITEZIMBERE will result in quantifiable enhancements in the standard of living in five rural provinces, establishing the foundation for long-term, sustainable human development.
