British Embassy San Jose - Call for project proposals 2016-2017
The British Embassy in San Jose announces its call for projects for its Bilateral Programme Budget for the period 2016-2017.
What is the Bilateral Programme Budget (BPB)?
The Bilateral Programme Budget is the one of the channels through which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom finances projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. During the 2015-2016 financial year, our BPB helped finance 6 projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
A few examples of past projects financed by the Embassy are:
- The empowerment of women through their unpaid work;
- Raising awareness of human trafficking in Nicaragua;
- Preventing sexual violence on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica and Nicaragua;
- Provision of English Language Training to Tourist Police.
Bidding Round
The Embassy will receive the first round of proposals for consideration up to 27 May 2016. At that time, all projects submitted will be subject to a rigorous selection process and the selected implementers will be contacted. This does not prevent the Embassy from considering projects submitted later in the year.
Who can apply for financing of projects through the BPB?
- Government institutions
- Legally constituted Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Civil Society organisations
- Community-based organisations
- Universities and research centres
Our priority areas of interest
Proposals put forward should be able to establish a clear and identifiable link between the activities planned and the expected results, in the following strategic areas:
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Human Rights, including, but not limited to rights of minority and disadvantaged groups (LGBTI community, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities)
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Justice and security: legal and judicial development, including prison reform; public sector capacity building.
How to submit a bid for the development of a project
This process will be carried out in two stages: the first is the Concept Bid stage and the second is the Full Bid stage. Only approved Concept Bids will be expected to be presented a second time, as a Full Bid.
Proposals must be presented in the attached format and should be sent as a digital file to the following e-mail address: UK.ProjectsCRNic@fco.gov.uk to the attention of the BPB Officer. In the subject line of the email, please indicate “Call for project bids 2016-2017.”
Some key points to help plan projects:
- The project proposal must be submitted in English;
- The financing and execution of projects must have an end date of 28 February 2017;
- The Embassy is interested in proposals between GBP £5,000 (Pounds Sterling) and GBP £8,000;
- The objective of the proposal should be specific and well defined;
- The implementer must demonstrate that the project will produce sustainable outcomes;
- The proposed budget should be precise and demonstrate in detail how the funds will be used during the execution of the project;
- The British Embassy does not make advance payments to implementers. Payments are made in arrears, on a quarterly basis;
- The British Embassy will not pay administrative costs that exceed 10% of the funding amount;
- We are particularly interested in projects covering both Costa Rica and Nicaragua. If covering both countries, funding up to a maximum of GBP £16,000 (Pounds Sterling) will be considered;
- Each organisation may present more than one proposal;
- The Bilateral Programme Budget fund does not authorise the purchase of capital goods (i.e. equipment, infrastructure).
How are projects monitored?
Once approved, and in accordance with what is set out in the Grant Contract, the implementing organisation must submit a quarterly report and a final evaluation of the project.
Importance should be given by implementers to media coverage during the project’s activities, which will be carried out in coordination with the Embassy’s Communications Section.
The British Embassy reiterates its invitation to all interested parties to submit their proposals for the 2016-2017 period.
Updates to this page
Last updated 19 May 2016 + show all updates
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Email address has been amended.
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Added translation