Ukraine call for proposals: FCDO International Programme Open Futures and Climate Diplomacy Fund 2020-2021
The British Embassy Kyiv invites proposals for project work in Ukraine under the FCDO International Programme Open Futures and Climate Diplomacy Fund 2020-2021.
The British Embassy Kyiv invites proposals for project work from 1 January 2021 to 15 March 2021, working through civil society organisations alongside government bodies in support of (a) internationally recognised universal human rights and democratic participation, including gender equality, and improved respect for minority and vulnerable groups and (b) work to tackle climate change in Ukraine.
The deadline for submitting proposals is 17:00 (Kyiv time) on 10 November 2020.
The programme will focus on the following areas:
Human rights
Outcomes
- effective development and implementation of Ukraine’s National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan increases respect for equality and non-discrimination for all members of Ukrainian society, in particular, minority groups. Greater promotion of minority leadership and equal influence in decision making at the local, national and international level that informs country reforms and development of the reintegration of Crimea and non-government-controlled areas (NGCAs) in Eastern Ukraine
- Russia’s human rights abuses in Crimea and NGCAs in Eastern Ukraine are documented and countered, and victims supported
Indicators of success
- greater inclusion and protection of marginalised and vulnerable groups such as the Roma community, LGBT people and people with disabilities, including by changing public perceptions and working with authorities and businesses to ensure inclusive treatment and representation
- human rights defenders, journalists and victims of human rights abuses in Crimea and NGCAs in Eastern Ukraine effectively documented and highlight the human rights situation; human rights monitoring mechanisms in illegally annexed Crimea and NGCAs strengthened
- the Ukrainian government develops and implements its new National Action Plan on Human Rights, through access to experts and supporting civil society to advocate for policies which best meet the needs of minority and vulnerable groups
- the Ukrainian government improves and protects the rights of Crimean residents, including through effective development and implementation of its new strategy towards Crimea and improvement of services for Crimean residents. Crimean civil society organisations, residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs), in particular, Crimean Tatars, equipped with greater knowledge of their rights and ability to advocate for policies which best meet the needs of minority and vulnerable groups
Climate change
Outcome
Ukraine increases climate change ambition and action ahead of COP26 (the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1 to 12 November 2021, under the UK’s presidency)
Indicators
- increased awareness of the Ukrainian government of the threat posed by climate change, the importance of taking urgent climate action to mitigate future risks, and its wider economical and security benefits
- increased understanding of Ukrainian local decision makers (cities and regions) about the climate change threats and benefits of climate action leading to ambitious climate commitments at the local level
- Ukrainian public and private sector (with a particular focus on business and youth) equipped with greater understanding of the threat posed by climate change and ability to advocate for urgent climate action to mitigate future risks
Notes
Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify the change that will be brought about. They may also build on projects by other organisations, complementing their efforts.
All bids should make clear how they complement existing activities supported by other donors and international partners, and how work in the regions complements national level activity.
The maximum indicative funding is £10,000 for projects on Human Rights and £8,000 for projects on Climate Change. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions which will be considered a merit.
Our funding is for the UK financial year 2020-21 only (projects must be implemented and all payments made by 15 March 2021). Where appropriate, bidders are encouraged to describe how their project could be further scaled-up if additional funding became available.
Administrative costs (office rent, project management and book-keeper rates, utilities, communications, stationery, bank charges etc) must not exceed 8% of the total project budget. We are unable to fund academic courses or research, English language courses, the purchase of IT or other equipment.
The British Embassy Kyiv reserves the right to carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process.
Bidding is competitive and only selected projects will receive funding. The Embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection.
Due to the volume of bids expected we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.
Bidding process
Bidders should fill in the standard (MS Word Document, 123KB) and include a breakdown of project costs in the Activity Based Budget (ABB) (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 20KB). We will not consider proposals submitted in other formats.
Budgets must be Activity Based Budgets (ABB), all costs should be indicative, in GBP (not Ukrainian Hryvna).
Successful bids must demonstrate strong strategic relevance to the areas of programme focus and have a clear focus on delivering change and sustainability.
Successful implementers should be able to receive project funding in GBP (UK pound sterling) and open a GBP bank account for the project.
Proposals should be sent to the British Embassy Kyiv at Kyiv.Projects@fcdo.gov.uk by 17.00 (Kyiv time) on 10 November 2020. In the subject line, please indicate the area you are bidding for and the name of the bidder.
We aim to evaluate proposals by end November. Approved projects will commence in January 2021.
Evaluation criteria
Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- fit to programme objectives – the extent to which the proposal addresses the issues
- quality of project – how well-defined and relevant the outcome is and how outputs will deliver this change
- value for money – the value of the expected project outcomes, the level of funding requested and institutional contribution
- previous experience – evidence of the project team’s understanding the issue and of its regional activities, ability to manage and deliver a successful project, through work done to date in the area or in related fields
- gender-sensitive approach – partners should identify the gender implications of the theme they are addressing, whether it will impact differently on men and women and how this is taken into account in the proposal. The proposals will be assessed by a mixed-gender panel