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Call for Bids: China Network’s International Programme (Open Societies) Fund 2022/23

The British Embassy in Beijing is pleased to open a call for bids to the China Network’s International Programme (Open Societies) for projects running between 15 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.

From:
British Embassy Beijing
Published
5 August 2022
This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

All projects should aim to support improvements to and/or increase understanding and awareness of contemporary human rights in China. Issues on which we welcome bids include – but are not limited to:

  • Freedom of expression including media freedom and countering disinformation
  • Religious and cultural rights, including for minority groups.
  • Technology and human rights
  • Criminal justice reform
  • Civil Society resilience

This bidding round will only fund projects running between 15 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. All project outputs, including finalised research/analytical products, must be completed by 31 March 2023.

We anticipate a further call for bids early in the next calendar year. If bidders see potential for their project to extend into a subsequent project beyond 31st March 2023, bidders are welcome to explain how this might be achieved in the project summary.

Selection Criteria

Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Project design: Feasibility of activities and outputs including the capacity of implementing organisation to deliver outcomes.
  • Impact: Supporting identifiable, meaningful improvements to or deepened awareness and understanding of open societies and human rights issues in China. Working together with other diverse partners to enhance impact of the project.
  • Scalability: The potential for the project to act as a building block for subsequent expansion/work improving human rights.
  • Viability and risks: Clear engagement/buy-in of key stakeholders. Robust analysis of key risks including clear consideration of Covid-related risks (particularly if operating in China), and a plan of action to manage and mitigate those risks.
  • Value for money: Comparable and reasonable costs against the scale of achievable outcomes

We draw your attention to the below key points:

  • Proposals should be between £20,000 - £80,000 (210,000 RMB – 840,000 RMB).
  • All funding must be activity-based (i.e. not for general support staff costs (admin, finance support), office rental etc.).

Process  

  1. Project proposals must be received by 23:59 (GMT) on Friday 9 September 2022. Late proposals will not be considered.   
  2. Proposals must be submitted using the attached forms only (Project Proposal Form and Activity Based Budget), which must be completed in English.   
  3. Proposals must be submitted to: China.InternationalProgramme@fcdo.gov.uk     

Important Information to Note

  • Project payments will be paid in arrears in two instalments. Implementers must have enough resourcing to fund half of the project costs at a time.

  • If the project involves work with children or vulnerable adults, implementing partners can reflect a proportion of safeguarding costs as legitimate overheads in their bid, or include programme-specific safeguarding budget lines.

  • If the project is approved, implementers will be expected to sign a Grant Agreement with the British Embassy Beijing.

Attachments  

Project Proposal Template

Activity Based Budget Template

Guidance  

Project Proposal - Guidance

Activity Based Budget - Guidance

Grant Agreement Template

Updates to this page

Published 5 August 2022