Call for Bids: China Network’s International Programme (Open Societies) Fund 2023/24
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 Summer 2023 (July onwards) and 29 February 2024.
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 Summer 2023 (July onwards) and 29 February 2024. All project outputs, including finalised research/analytical products, must be completed by 29 February 2024.
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 31 March 2024, 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 consideration of Covid-related risks, 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 up to £80,000
- Proposals under £10,000 should be completed using Project Proposal Form (up to £10,000).
- Proposals between £10,000-£80,000 should be completed using Project Proposal Form (up to £80,000).
- All funding must be activity-based, i.e., not for general support staff costs such as admin, finance support, office rental etc.
Process
- Project proposals must be submitted by 23:59 (GMT) on Sunday 14th May 2023. Late proposals will not be considered.
- Proposals must be submitted using the attached forms only (Project Proposal Form (up to £10,000), Project Proposal Form (up to £80,000) and Activity Based Budget), which must be completed in English.
- Proposals must be submitted to: China.InternationalProgramme@fcdo.gov.uk
Important Information to Note
- Project payments will be paid in arrears in three instalments, on a quarterly basis. Implementers must have enough resourcing to fund one third 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