British Embassy Caracas launches 2022-2023 Bilateral Programme
The British Embassy invites interested organisations to send in their project proposals to become implementers for our 2022-2023 Bilateral Programme
We invite interested organisations to send in their project proposals to become implementers for our 2022-2023 Bilateral Programme, as per our expected areas of work.
Deadline: Wednesday 18 May 2022 11:59 PM (Venezuela time; GMT-4).
What is the Bilateral Programme?
The Bilateral Programme is the main channel through which the British Embassy finances projects in Venezuela. These should contribute towards achieving results within strategic objectives and expected outcomes identified by the Embassy, which benefit Venezuela.
Through this programme, the Embassy has supported various projects on areas such as human rights and democracy, economic reform, sustainable development and energy.
What are the Embassy’s expected areas of work for FY 2022-2023?
This year, we are looking for projects that focus on the various themes listed below. Some indicative outcomes that projects could look to achieve within each theme are also listed below. These are not exhaustive and are meant to serve as a guide. You may still bid for funding for a project as long as it falls under the broad theme, even if the expected outcomes are different. The themes listed below are in no particular order.
Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders
- improved capacity of civil society organisations to carry out independent and impartial evidence collection on human rights violations, in line with international standards
Promoting Democracy
- stronger capacity to support the medium-long term strengthening of Venezuela’s democratic institutions
- improved local level municipality/council cross-party collaboration and effectiveness
- increased civil society capacity to champion constitutional elections, good governance, transparency and/or rule of law
Climate and Biodiversity
- increased capacity for climate mitigation or adaptation, including through but not limited to clean energy and nature-based solutions
- improved management of ecosystems, with a focus on actions to tackle deforestation and support sustainable land use
- enhanced monitoring of environmental pressures and threats, as well as climate risks
Promoting Economic Stability
- improved data collection capacity and access to key macro-economic and socio-economic information
- strengthened independent efforts to support improvements in the business environment, including through policy proposals
Promoting Gender Equality and Female Empowerment
- enhanced awareness of sexual health, reproductive rights and gender-based violence, especially for teenagers
- increased access to education and improved prospects for women in the labour market
LGBT+ rights
- formation of a broad, politically diverse LGBT+ rights coalition to advocate non-discriminatory measures at local/national levels and reach progressive milestones
Key points to consider before submitting your bids
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Activities should be carried out before 31 March 2023. Please plan to start activities by August 2022.
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Payments are made in arrears (reimbursements). This means that the Embassy is not allowed to pay up-front for project activities which have not taken place.
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Overhead/administration costs should not exceed 10% of the overall project budget.
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At least 85% of the funds must be implemented by December 2022.
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Make sure the proposed project purpose (in the format) is well defined and specific, and fits within at least one of the listed expected areas of work.
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Co-financing from other institutions is welcomed. Please include this as part of your bid if appropriate.
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Each organisation may only present one (1) proposal per area of work.
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Purchase of capital goods, including infrastructure, properties, furniture and/or IT equipment, is generally not authorised.
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All projects must align with the Paris Agreement and consider climate and environmental risks, as well as their impact on gender equality.
These points are subject to change at the discretion of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Gender equality
The British Government is committed to achieving gender equality at home and worldwide, which is why we pushed for a standalone Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on gender.
As such, we expect that all projects funded by the Embassy are gender mainstreamed by:
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paying careful consideration to the level of female participation in the delivery of project activities, which applies both for implementers and beneficiaries;
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understanding and responding to the different needs of women and girls taking part/benefitted by the project, which should be considered at the project design stage, during its implementation, and as part of the evaluation of the project impact;
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and considering and preparing for the differentiated impact the activities may have on women and girls taking part in the project.
Who may send in their project proposal?
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state institutions – at all levels
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non-governmental organisations (NGOs), legally registered
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universities
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think tanks
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private sector and commerce and industry chambers
Before applying, please be sure you are able to submit the following legal documentation, when required by the Embassy (do not forward these documents when applying):
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digital copy of the Trade Register/Articles of Incorporation (Registro Mercantil o Acta Constitutiva)
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copy of the Fiscal Registration identification number (Registro de Identificación Fiscal -RIF)
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letter-headed document specifying bank account details
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a copy of the Identity Card (Cédula) of the legal representative of the organisation
What is the indicative process timeline?
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18 May 2022 - Deadline for potential project implementers to send in their project proposal.
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6 June 2022 – Embassy notifies shortlisted potential project implementers of their semi-finalist status, and asks them to develop a revised project proposal, accompanied by it activity based budget (ABB), aimed at contributing to one of the specified areas of work.
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19 June 2022 – Deadline for implementers to submit full project proposal and ABB.
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8 July 2022 - Embassy project board meets to agree and approve successful projects. Successful and unsuccessful bidders notified the following working day.
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1 August 2022 – Grant agreements/contracts/MOUs signed with approved project implementers and project implementations starts
These dates are subject to change.
How does the selection process work?
If you think your organisation can contribute to the Embassy’s expected areas of work, please complete the format attached in English and forward it to projects.caracas@fcdo.gov.uk by the indicated deadline, including the name of your organisation in the subject line (e.g. Asociación Venezolana de Investigaciones Sociales). You should receive a confirmation e-mail when you send your proposal.
The form is designed to determine why your organisation is best suited to deliver a project in one of our expected areas of work, what type of activities you envisage as part of a project funded by the Embassy, how much it would cost and with whom you would partner up to deliver project activities. Please note we will not consider proposals presented in a different format.
After receiving your project proposal, the Embassy will produce a shortlist according to agreed criteria such as whether the project is sustainable in the long-term, has a multiplying effect, represents value-for-money and is gender mainstreamed.
These criteria are reflected in an appraisal matrix the Embassy uses to mark potential project implementers. Those with higher marks will be shortlisted and required to develop a full project bid. Please note the Embassy may consider asking organisations to join up as partners and work on a full project bid together.
The Embassy project board will then meet to assess project bids.
What comprises the monitoring process for projects?
Once approved, and in accordance with the grant agreement/contract/MoU, the implementing organisation must submit quarterly reports, and a final evaluation report.
Please note that Embassy staff will keep in touch with your organisation throughout the project implementation and may call for monitoring meetings or participate in project activities.
A few examples of projects financed by the Embassy:
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creation of a network of organisations aimed at tackling violence against women and girls in Venezuela
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diploma course on a culture of peace and human rights for civil servants in Merida municipalities
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raising awareness on LGBTI rights with police officers
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training on PRECIS Climate Modelling System for government officials
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enabling reduction of subsidies of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
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supporting participatory biodiversity assessment in a local natural area
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implementation of an on-line participatory budget and procurement system in eight Venezuelan mayoralties.