Invitation to Tender Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
British Embassies in the South Caucasus are inviting bids for funding from the new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund for projects.
UK in the South Caucasus - Resolving Conflicts
From 26 March 2015 the British Embassies in the South Caucasus (Baku, Tbilisi and Yerevan) are inviting bids for funding from the new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund for projects in the South Caucasus region.
The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) aims to reduce the potential for violent conflict in the South Caucasus region by investing in upstream conflict prevention and by creating an environment that is more conducive to the resolution of conflicts.
Projects can be targeted at civil society, local or national government and can be local, national or regional in scope.
Criteria for Bidding
Projects should be aligned with the UK Government’s Building Stability Overseas Strategy and must contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:
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Improved confidence and understanding between targeted actors across conflict divides, notably through multi-track processes.
This includes projects focusing on cross-border conflict and instability issues across disputed boundaries and internationally recognised borders (e.g. Armenia – Azerbaijan; Turkey – Armenia; Russia-Azerbaijan; Russia-Georgia). -
Enhanced capacity of all actors, including authorities and security sector organisations to prevent, manage and respond to crisis and conflict, and develop inclusive policies
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Increased access to conflict sensitive reporting across all types of media and communication tools
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Decreased isolation of conflict affected communities through new sustainable opportunities to connect with the wider region and the rest of the world
In addition to the outcomes listed above we will look favourably upon those projects which include any of the following themes: a) Working with diaspora communities to further conflict reconciliation in the South Caucasus; b) Conflict prevention and resolution work which subscribes to the ethos of UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and Peace and Security. c) Ethnic minority rights; d) Radicalisation; e) Delivering conflict resolution via on-line mechanisms.
Projects should:
- Seek to deliver a concrete change in the status quo that is sustainable in the long term;
- Be based on a sound understanding of the conflict dynamic and a clear ‘theory of change’;
- Where possible, work in parallel with pre-identified partner organisations across boundaries / borders;
- Demonstrate good value for money (including a maximum of 10% of administrative costs);
- Be open to external audit.
The new CSSF replaces the UK Conflict Pool fund which ends in April 2015. Projects accepted within this bidding round will commence in May 2015, at the earliest, and be completed by March 2016. Multi-year bids can be submitted, but specific deliverables must be made clear for the 2015-2016 financial year, as there is no guarantee that funding will be continued beyond April 2016.
Who may bid?
In order to be eligible, your organisation or agency must be a non-profit legal entity or a registered non-governmental organisation, and must demonstrate that it has:
- Experience in confidence-building / conflict resolution projects
- Previous experience working with international agencies / organisations
- Proof of NGO registration and profile (able to provide all necessary documents of legal registration and taxpayer identification)
- Sufficient technical, financial, human and logistical capacity
The Bidding Process
Applicants are invited to submit a full concept bid in English using this form: .
Full bids should be sent to southcaucasusprojects@fco.gov.uk indicating ‘CSSF Bid’ & name of organisation in the subject field.
The closing date for full bids is 17:00 (Tbilisi time) Thursday 16th April.
All bidders will be informed about the outcome of this bidding round by Friday 8th May.
Please note that any correspondence with applicants up to 8th May does not represent a commitment to fund, it merely indicates that we are interested in your idea and would like to know more.
Bidding is competitive and only selected projects will receive funding. The South Caucasus Embassies reserve 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.
About the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF)
From April 2015, the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) will replace the Conflict Pool. Under the CSSF, the UK will continue to address the short term effects of conflict whilst also patiently continuing our work to build the political, economic and security institutions that will bring enduring stability and ultimately prevent conflict re-occurring.