British Embassy San Jose: call for bids 2022/2023
The British Embassy in San Jose is now accepting project proposals for the period of 1 October 2022 to 28 February 2023.
Thematic areas
The British Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, with responsibility for Nicaragua, is aiming to support short-term interventions valued at up to US$30,000 that focus on promoting and protecting human rights in Nicaragua.
We welcome proposals from legally constituted non-governmental, non-profit, charity and multilateral organisations. Unfortunately, we are unable to consider project proposals submitted by companies or for-profit organisations.
Proposals may cover any of the following areas of work:
- Modern Slavery
- Media Freedom
- Promotion of Human Rights
Kindly note that, under this programme, we are unable to cover projects where the main focus is on gender and equalities issues like LGBTI+ rights, women’s rights and rights of persons with disabilities.
We are looking for projects that deliver real, measurable results in support of the abovementioned priority areas in Nicaragua and are particularly interested in proposals aimed at the following objectives:
- supporting the rights of marginalised groups, including through the prevention of human rights violations and strengthening of protections for groups such as women and girls, indigenous communities and migrants;
- supporting media freedom, including strengthening of responsible journalism and improving the enabling environment in which freedom of the press is protected and respected.
Funding exceptions
Please be aware that project funding cannot be used to finance the following:
- Cash cards, money transfers or seed capital;
- Purchase of groceries and household supplies;
- Purchase or maintenance of IT or capital equipment;
- Communications-related services, such as communications strategies, campaigns, advertisements (for example, in newspapers or on social media), website creation and/or maintenance, video production. If in doubt, please contact the Embassy for clarification.
Project bid guidance
- Projects will be funded for the period running from 1 October 2022 to 28 February 2023, with no expectation of continued funding beyond this period;
- Project bids should demonstrate 50% spend by 15 December 2022 and 100% spend by 28 February 2023;
- Proposals must be submitted in United States Dollars (USD) currency;
- Minimum project budget limit: $5,000;
- Maximum project budget limit: $30,000.
Project bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Alignment with the above-mentioned thematic priorities and outcomes;
- Outcomes are achievable within the funding period (1 October 2022 to 28 February 2023);
- Project design includes clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, as well as risk and financial accountability procedures;
- Evidence of sustainability - demonstrating that project benefits continue after the funding ends;
- Alignment with the Paris Agreement, demonstrating that a climate and environmental risk and impact evaluation was done and no environmental harm will be done;
- The organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure protection of beneficiaries, tackle discrimination and ensure equality of opportunity for those with protected characteristics;
- Overall value for money;
- Administration costs should not exceed 10% of the total project budget.
Key dates
- 19 September 2022 (midnight): Deadline for receipt of project proposals;
- 30 September 2022: Implementers informed of bidding round outcome;
- 1 October 2022 and onwards: Projects begin;
- 15 December 2022: Projects to achieve 50% implementation and spend;
- 28 February 2023: Projects to complete all activities, achieve 100% spend and submit draft project completion report.
Bidding process
- Proposals must be submitted in English using the relevant Project proposal form;
- Proposal Form (up to US$10K or above US$10K) and Activity Based Budget templates are provided below;
- All proposals must be received by midnight on 19 September 2022 (Central American time). Late proposals will not be considered;
- Proposals must be submitted to Denise.Lewis@fcdo.gov.uk with the subject line “Call for bids 2022/2023 – Organisation name – Project Title” and include a point of contact in the body of the email;
- Successful bidders will be notified by 30 September 2022.
Additional information and documentation
All implementers will be expected to sign a standard FCDO contract or grant agreement with the Embassy. The terms of the contract or agreement are not negotiable.
As all projects are expected to have achieved 50% spend by 15 December 2022, Activity Based Budgets must reflect this requirement.