British Embassy Guatemala City: call for proposals 2020/2021
The British Embassy in Guatemala City is now accepting project and activity proposals for the 2020/2021 financial year (1 April 2020 – 28 February 2021).
Call for bids
This year, the British Embassy is seeking to support projects and activities up to $15,000 in Guatemala and Honduras that deliver real, measurable outcomes in support of development in both countries.
All expenditures must qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA), as defined by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and have the promotion of economic development and welfare of the people of Guatemala and/or Honduras as the main objective. We are particularly interested in projects/activities proposals focused on the following thematic areas of work:
Climate change
Projects aiming to reduce vulnerability of human or natural systems to the impacts of climate change and climate-related risks in Guatemala and/or Honduras through education, training, and public awareness-raising, and other initiatives related to the causes and impacts of climate change. Proposals linked to COP26 (UN Climate Change Summit) are welcomed.
Human rights & democracy
In particular, strengthening democratic governance and rule of law; increasing participation of women in politics; increasing equality and reducing violence and discrimination against women and vulnerable groups; promoting girls education; tackling modern slavery; and strengthening freedom of press.
Economic growth and improving business environment
In particular, business and human rights (implementing UN guiding principles); strengthening and facilitating the delivery of infrastructure, including the modality of Public-Private Projects (PPPs); increasing accountability and transparency in key economic sectors or institutions; supporting reforms and implementation of policies aimed at promoting conditions for open markets and improving the business environment, such as, but not limited to promoting competiveness, streamlining processes to facilitate trade, tackling bureaucracy, and reducing the potential for illicit trade.
Illegal wildlife trade
In particular, efforts to raise awareness, prevent, and tackle illegal wildlife trade. Such as, but not limited to capacity building opportunities for key stakeholders; the implementation of best practices and experiences; and/or attendance to relevant seminar opportunities abroad.
Disaster risk preparedness
In particular, projects aiming to strengthen disaster risk prevention and preparedness (capacity building) or public awareness raising related to the causes and impacts of climate change and/or disasters.
Beyond plastics
In particular, projects aiming to reduce and raise awareness of single use plastic. Including, but not limited to public campaigns and events; school teaching and raising awareness of pollution and climate change impact from single use plastic; and production of marketing and audiovisual materials in support of awareness campaigns.
Kindly note separate guidance for projects and one-off interventions. For projects between the equivalent of $8,000 - $15,000 please submit the Project Bid Form. For one-off interventions and/or activities below the equivalent to $8,000 please submit the Activity Bid Form.
Project bid guidance
- projects are funded under a reimbursement scheme for a single financial year running from 1 April 2020 to 28 February 2021, with no expectations of continued funding beyond this period
- projects must be completed by 31 December 2020. Projects with a completion date of 28 February 2020 will be considered as long as 85% of the budget is executed by 1 December 2020
- minimum project budget limit equivalent to $8,000
- maximum project budget limit equivalent to $15,000
- please note that in the past, most bids approved were typically below the equivalent to $9,000
Project assessment
Project bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- alignment with the above mentioned priorities and outcomes
- achievable outcomes within the funding period and sustainability after the funding ends
- clear project design which includes monitoring and evaluation procedures
- identified risks and planned mitigation
- the organisation’s safeguarding policies that ensure protection of beneficiaries
- demonstrated value for money in the activity based budget
- administration costs for delivering a project must not exceed 10% of the total project budget
One-off interventions and/or activities bid guidance
- activity is a one-off intervention (not fully developed project) that will take place at a specific time in the financial year, with no expectations of continued funding beyond this period. See Frequently Asked Questions document for examples
- maximum activity budget limit equivalent to $8,000
One-off interventions and/ or activity assessment guidance
Activity bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- alignment with the above mentioned priorities and outcomes
- achievable outcomes within the funding period
- clear project design which includes evaluation procedures
- identified risks and planned mitigation
- the organisation’s safeguarding policies that ensure protection of beneficiaries
- overall value for money
Process to apply
- ensure that the activity based budget and project/activity is in the same currency as the bank account where funds reimbursements are to be received. Utilise the Excel template provided below
- proposals must be received by 23:55 (Guatemala time) on 5 April 2020. All proposals received in a format different to the one requested, in a language other than English, and submitted after the set date and time will not be considered
- proposals must be submitted to: Projects.GTHN@fco.gov.uk. In subject include: FCO Programme Funds 2020-2021, followed by the name of your organisation, and by the country where your organisation is based (Guatemala or Honduras): “FCO Programme Funds 2020-2021 – [Name of Organisation] – [Country]
- proposals selected for further consideration will be notified by 8 May 2020
- the British Embassy in Guatemala City aims to sign grant agreements with successful implementers by 31 May 2020 and to begin activities by June 2020
- due to the high number of bids we receive, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to unsuccessful bids
Additional information and documentation
All implementers will be expected to sign a standard FCO contract or grant agreement with the Embassy. The terms of the contract or agreement are not negotiable.
- activity bid form (under USD 8K)
- project bid form (USD 8K-15K)
- activity based budget template (all proposals)
- guidance on value for money and completing the activity based budget
- administrative costs guidance
- frequently asked questions FAQ.