CALL FOR PROPOSAL with UNDP_Deadline: Nov 15, 2008

UNDP Cambodia has recently launched the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme initiative to promote community based environment/livelihoods, executed by UNOPS. The UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP) works by directly providing grants and technical support to local NGOs and community based organizations (CBOs). Grants are distributed on a competitive basis.*

UNDP Cambodia would like to invite local NGOs and CBOs working to promote rural poverty reduction and environmental protection to apply for the UNDP GEF SGP.

SGP funds activities relate to environmental protection and livelihood development, climate change mitigation, international water protection and decreasing land degradation. SGP grants of up to US$ 50,000 are available per project. SGP will fund up to 50% of the total project cost with the remaining funding to be provided by the funded organization, community contribution and/or other donor support, either monetary or in kind and services.

Please send your concept paper in Khmer or English (3-5 pages) in a sealed envelope to UNDP Cambodia, No. 53, Pasteur Street, Sangkat Boeng Keng Kang, Phnom Penh, PO Box 877, Cambodia, ATTN: Mrs. Ngin Navirak, SGP National Coordinator. Further information can be obtained from GEF SGP Coordinator, Ms. Ngin Navirak at ngin.navirak@undp.org or Ms. Chi Sovanna at sovanna.chi@undp.org.

* Please see project eligibility criteria on our website

www.un.org.kh/undp/ or UNDP SGP website http://sgp.undp.org

Guide to access UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme

GEF SGP Mission

The aim of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), which has been implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is strengthening of non-governmental organization (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that address local level actions in the GEF focal area of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, protection of international water, prevention of land degradation and elimination persistent organic pollutants. SGP links local, national and global capacities in protection of environmental values while also enabling communities to improve their livelihoods and well-being.

SGP Globally

Since its inception in 1992, GEF SGP has been promoting grassroots action to address global environmental concerns. Throughout the world, SGP help to sustain Environment and improve the lives of thousands of people.

Although SGP projects are quite small, their contribution is substantial: over 5,500 projects were granted, over 175 million US dollars from GEF with over 105 million contributed be other partners in cash and in-kind. SGP is working in 84 countries. In Asia pacific is present in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

GEF SGP is corporate programme. It is globally coordinated by the Central Programme Management Team and UNOPS in New York. At the National level SGP is administrated by the UNDP Country Office, and it is managed by the National Coordinator together with National Steering Committee. Due to the decentralized and adaptable structure of SGP, each country has opportunity to develop its own strategic and management mechanism that is consistent with SGP global objectives as well as with national priorities.

Environment Challenges
We have faced destruction of ecosystems and species; increasing level of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere; pollution of international waters: these life-threatening challenges. Though environmental decay endangers all of us, poor people are most at risk because they depend on access to natural resources for their livelihoods and because they often live in fragile ecosystems.

Strategic Funding Direction

1. Increase the ability of local populations especially women and indigenous people to benefit from and contribute to biodiversity conservation, International water protection, adaptation to climate change and land degradation.
2. Address problems related to the loss of biodiversity caused by destruction of habitat and over-exploitation of natural resources (Land, Fisheries and Forestry resources).
3. Mitigate the adverse impact change by undertaking activities aimed at reduction of GHGs emission; removing barriers to energy efficiency and energy conservation and promoting alternative renewable sources of energy.
4. Addressing the causes and negative impacts of land degradation on ecosystem stability, functions and services, through Sustainable Land Management, as a contribution to improve people’s livelihoods and economic well-being.
5. Develop and Support efforts for further fundraising for the hotspot.
6. For the Geographical area:
   Biodiversity Conservation: biodiversity hotspot areas such as Cardamom Protected areas, Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserves and Northern Plains Protected areas
   Climate Change mitigation and land degradation: countrywide
   International Water protection: Along Mekong River and costal line provinces of Cambodia

PartnershipMulti stakeholder cooperation and partnerships at every level is encouraged. They ensure that all approved programmes are culturally sensitive and appropriate to each community’s needs as well as technically sound and that they will have an identifiable, positive impact on the global environment.

How to apply to GEF SGP?

Aplying for funds is a two-stage process. First step is to submit a Concept paper which is assessed. If successful, you will then be invited to submit a full proposal.

• The format for Concept paper is provided in the next page
• Any eligible applicant should submit a concept paper which addresses at least one of the GEF focal Areas
• There is no deadline for application.

Project Concept Format

The project concept paper should be as concise as possible, 3-5 pages long. It can be typed or hand written. The paper will be accepted in Khmer or English. Project concept paper must include the following:
I. General Information:Project Title :
Project site : Address and actual location of the project site (attach also a sketch/ location map of the exact location of the proposed project site)
Proponent : Name of the organization and address (please accomplish attached “A” Community Based Organization (CBO)/NGO Profile sheet Project partners
Agencies (if any) : List organizations and/or agencies, private or government who assist in the implement of the project.
Total project cost :
Amount requested for funding :
Local Contribution:
Project duration : Project lifespan as envisioned by the proponent
II. Project Description

1. Problem Statement -Describe the existing situation in the community and specific problems, needs or opportunities to be addressed and discuss how these problems and needs can be addressed.
2. State general and specific objectives of the project
3. Expected outputs, outcomes and impact on the environment and communities.
4. Activities: Identify what specific activities the project will undertake to achieve expected outcomes and impact.
5. Brief describe what the project is all about and how it shall be implemented and managed.
6. Risk Analysis: Indicate possible difficulties and problems that will be uncounted in project implementation and stake action to be taken by the proponent to remedy the situation.
7. Partnership with other project in the target areas: State how this project will build inter-linkages and integration among other development initiatives in the community/ies, by other groups and proponents.

III. Budget (refers to the total cost, indicating amount for the following):
a. Administrative Cost (refer to budget items like personnel salary, coordination and travel costs, communication etc, the sum should not go beyond fifteen (15%) percent of the total amount requested for funding).
b. Proponent/partners counterpart (refers to the amount of project contribution of the proponent partner in the total project cost) cash and kind.

What happens to your application?

Your Concept Paper will be reviewed through a transparent, objective and timely review process.

Reviewers will look at:

• The relevance of the application to the GEF SGP Country Progamme Strategy
• The capacity of the organization applying to implement the proposed activities including the quality of partnership.
• Clarity of activities, outputs/impacts and Indicators/ potential for good impacts
• Community Participation and Contribution
• Appropriate Budget Estimation
• Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods and Environmental protection
• Policy and Practice change

The procedures to acquire the approval of GEF/SGP

Each Concept Paper will be first screened by National Coordinator with a group appointed by NSC and then submit to NSC members for their comments, reviewed and approval.

Based on the review, GEF NC/PA will inform directly to the applicant whether the Concept paper has been rejected or recommended to proceed to proposal development.

Once the concept paper is passed, the National Coordinator may provide assistance to develop proposals.

After the approval of the NSC on the full proposal, the UNDP signs on agreement with the implementing party to include procedures to be followed and the administrative, financial and time framework to implement the project.

Programme offers small grants up to USD $ 50,000 for each project. All the projects should:

• address one or more of the GEF/SGP focal areas
• demonstrate the sustainability of the project
• Involve community participation, especially women in various stage of the project.
• develop the capacities of community and promote awareness
• adapt solutions, which combine the community needs, improving conditions with preservation global environment
• Mobilize community resources and encourage individual and institutional contributions.Facilitate opportunities, technical and financial support to the community.

Tips for Project Proponents

• Identify quality project’s global benefits
• Pay sufficient attention to the on-going baseline activities and raise significant co-financing to bolster the baseline where needed.
• Identify the root causes of the problem and logistic sequence of activities to address the causes at the source.
• Establish direct linkage between the project and GEF focal areas
• Develop clear project communication and outreach strategy
• Include adequate provisions for monitoring and evaluation
• Ensure full participation of all key stakeholders
• Develop mechanisms and incentives for sustainability
• Design an appropriate or realistic timeframe (GEF SGP project duration is normal for 1-2 years)
• Document and substantiate scientific claims, where appropriate
• Link the proposed project activities to removal of the barriers/root causes
• For technology demonstration projects- including a plan how the project activities would lead to market adoption of technology.

Bank of project Ideas

The list of project ideas is only a suggestion and not a limitation as long as proposed projects comply with GEF SGP requirements and Country Programme Strategy. Priority is given to strategic directions. Based on GEF SGP experiences in other countries, examples of activities that could be undertaken in GEF focal areas by NGOs, CBOs and local communities include:
Biodiversity Area

• Promoting of conservation of endangered wildlife/fish species,
• Promoting of sustainable use of NR in PA or PF;
• Promoting of community conservation areas,
• Promoting of conservation of agro-biodiversity,
• protection of endangered wildlife/fish trade
• Promoting ecotourism;

Climate Change Area

• Renewable energy technologies such as solar, micro-hydro power, wind power, modern biomass etc
• Improved stoves,
• Energy efficient micro-enterprises/industry,
• Efficient kilns,
• Fuel wood gardening; etc

Land degradation Area

• Agricultural soil/water conservation,
• organic farming,
• integrated watershed management,
• system for rice intensification,
• agro-forestry,
• community reforestation,
• soil improvement through efficient micro-organism etc

GEF SGP does not fund

• Installment of sewerage systems and conventional wastewater treatment plants
• Project were direct beneficiaries are private persons or enterprises and that do not improve livelihoods of local communities.

No doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead-

For more detail please contact:

The National Coordinator
UNDP GEF SGP,
No 53, Pasteur Street, Phnom Penh, Cambodia P.O.Box 877,
Tel: 855-23 216-167/216-217
Fax: 855-23 216 257/721-042
Email: gefsgp.kh@undp.org