Call for proposals: British Embassy San Jose’s RUBIES Fund 2017/2018
The call for bids for the British Embassy San Jose’s RUBIES Fund 2017/2018 is now open.
The British Embassy San Jose is pleased to announce its call for project proposals for its RUBIES Fund 2017/2018. The British Embassy San Jose uses the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s programme funds to create real, measurable outcomes in support of the institution’s policy goals.
The Rules Based International Economic System (RUBIES) is founded on relationships between states and through international institutions and frameworks, with shared rules and agreements on behaviour. It is vital for promoting peace and prosperity through security and economic integration and encourages states, and a wide range of non-state actors, to create the conditions for open markets, the rule of law, democratic participation and accountability.
The British Embassy San Jose’s RUBIES’ Fund 2017/2018 is aimed at supporting work in Costa Rica and Nicaragua in areas including, but not limited to:
- anti-bureaucracy
- anti-corruption
- competition policy
- ease of doing business
- fiscal transparency and responsibility
- illicit trade
- public procurement (improved government tender processes)
- protection of intellectual property
- regulatory environment
- taxation structure
How to apply for funding
The British Embassy San Jose’s RUBIES’ Fund 2017/2018 looks for practical and high-impact interventions. Proposals must be a clear catalyst to transformational changes in public policy and/or practice in target countries and/or their behaviour in global fora. Proposals focussing purely on research, analysis, reports, seminars or workshops will not be relevant unless they lead to specific and measurable action or behavioural change.
The bidding process is conducted in two stages: the concept bid and the full bid stage. Only bids approved through the concept stage will be considered for full bids. Implementers will be advised if a concept bid has been accepted and called to present a full bid.
Submission of bids
Concept bids, together with the Activity Based Budget, should be submitted in English with the title “BE San Jose RUBIES’ Fund 2017/1018 – [Implementer Name, Country Name]” to CostaRica.Prosperity@fco.gov.uk
The deadline for submission of concept bids is 2 April 2017.
Eligibility
All project proposals must meet the following criteria:
- Project proposals must be submitted on the Concept Bid Form in English;
- All projects should be designed to deliver over the course of one year only;
- Proposals must demonstrate practical and high-impact interventions that will lead to a real and timely difference to decision-making. Funds cannot be used to finance one-off visits or seminars;
- Projects must clearly be a catalyst to transformational changes in policy and/or practice;
- Proposals focusing purely on research, analysis, seminars or workshops will not be relevant unless they lead to specific and measurable actions;
- Proposals must add value and not duplicate other donor activity;
- They must show evidence of strong buy-in from key beneficiaries;
- They should demonstrate a strong UK expertise link;
- Proposals should include a communications strategy to disseminate the results of the project.
Implementation dates and payment information
Successful projects will start in April 2017 and must finish by the end of January 2018. We would expect RUBIES projects to be between £15,000 and £25,000, in addition to co-funding. The budget must be presented in pounds sterling (GBP). Should the project implementer of the successful bid be based in the either of the target countries, payments will be made in United States dollars, subject to the FCO’s official rate of exchange.
Documents for download
If your project is selected to move to the full bid stage, you will need: