The British Embassy in Buenos Aires launches a call for project bids for 2019
The British Embassy invites all interested parties to submit their proposals for the British Embassy Buenos Aires Project Funds 2019.
Overview
The British Embassy has been allocated funds for the UK financial year 2019 from the International Programme. This is part of the UK’s total Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment of 0.7% of GNI. These projects:
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must directly benefit Argentina and support programmes linked to the UK’s priorities for 2019 (see below);
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should be ready to begin by early June with all programme activity completed and fully paid for by 30 November 2019;
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will typically range in value from ARS$200,000 - $400,000. All bids should be made in Argentine pesos.
The British Embassy will now run a competitive bidding process in order to ensure we use our allocation for projects that are of high quality and deliver value for money. This process will involve a one-stage full bid proposal.
The deadline for submitting full bids is 3 May 2019.
Priorities for 2019
The International Programme Fund will focus on the following priority areas and all project proposals should be able to establish a clear and identifiable link between the activities planned and the expected results:
Priority 1: Promoting innovation in (national and/or local/provincial) government:
- Open government and open data, evidence-based policy and modernisation;
- Access to information and data protection;
- Strengthening the civil service and promoting best practice.
Priority 2: Tackling corruption and economic crime:
- Open and transparent Public procurement;
- Integrity and good governance in State Owned Enterprises;
- Competition and regulatory reforms;
- Anti-bribery, asset recovery, combating money laundering, serious fraud and organised crime;
- UNCAC implementation and promoting OECD integrity standards and best practices;
- Strengthening public auditing bodies;
- Fostering a culture of integrity in the executive, judicial and legislative powers and amongst the general population;
- Supporting Argentina’s participation within the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI);
- Implementing OECD recommendations to improve transparency and the integrity of electoral systems and lobbying practices.
Priority 3: Argentina in the Rules-Based International System:
- Supporting Argentina’s reforms and the adoption of international standards as identified as part of the OECD accession plan, and through key UN bodies such as UNODC.
Priority 4: Supporting democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights:
- Strengthening the judiciary;
- Strengthening and modernising legislative institutions and promoting best practice;
- Promoting gender equality, tackling violence against women (including PSVI - the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative) and addressing other global challenges such as modern slavery;
- Promoting media freedom and freedom of speech.
Who may bid? Eligibility criteria:
In order to bid, your organisation or agency must demonstrate that it has previous experience in project management (preferably working with international agencies or organisations), sufficient technical, financial, personnel and logistical capacity. For example:
- Government institutions;
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
- Academia, think tanks, research institutes;
- Community-based organisations;
- Chambers of Commerce associations.
We will only accept a maximum of two bids per organisation.
How to Bid
Our process will consist of a one-stage full bid proposal.
Bids should be completed in English using the an should be submitted alongside it.
Activity Based Budgets should list the activities needed to deliver the outcomes (results) of the project and all costs should be in Argentine pesos.
Deadline for submitting project bids is Friday 3 May 2019.
Please send all completed forms to buenosaires.projects@fco.gov.uk
Please specify in the subject of the email: Name of implementing organisation – Embassy Priority Area eg.
“Priority 1” – Name of the project
Each bid should highlight:
- Evidence of a strategic fit with the British Embassy’s priority areas;
- A well-defined and specific aim of the proposal;
- A clear and identifiable link between the activities planned and the expected results;
- Practical interventions that will lead to a real and timely difference to decision-making;
- A detailed Activity Based Budget (proposals with no ABB will not be accepted), clearly showing what each individual expense refers to;
- Evidence of support from the relevant Argentine stakeholders in order to deliver the expected outcomes;
- Any co-funding (this is not a requirement but it is encouraged).
Please send any queries or questions prior to submission to buenosaires.projects@fco.gov.uk
What you can bid for:
Given the value of each project, you may seek bidding for things like a workshop or training event or bringing over a UK expert to participate in a conference. Alternatively you might be looking for a contribution to a larger programme of activity (please note you will need to be specific in your bid form what the funds from the Embassy will pay for as part of a larger project). This is an indication rather than an exclusive list.
What you cannot bid for:
The project fund cannot be used to pay for:
- Recurrent monthly costs (staff salaries, rents, bills or consumables);
- Projects that are purely of a political, military or religious nature;
- Computers, sports equipment or text books;
- Flights at any class other than Economy;
- Consultancy fees where these form the majority of the funds. Any consultancy fees included in a project will be closely monitored to ensure value for money.
After the bid
The bidding round is an open and competitive process, assessed by the British Embassy in Buenos Aires. Results will be issued by late-May. Once a bid is approved, a Grant Contract will be signed with all successful bidders. In the documents section you will find an example of a Grant Contract. Your organisation will be expected to sign the contract within one week of the funds being awarded. Failure to do so will result in the funds being re-allocated. The implementing organisation will be required to submit report updates and a final evaluation of the project.
There are no pre-payments. Reimbursements will be completed once activities have taken place and all receipts submitted. Implementing organisations will request repayments using an invoice (including receipts and a financial report of spend) and the repayments will be carried out during those dates agreed upon in the respective contract.
The budget should be presented in Argentine pesos. All payments will be made in pesos to a bank account held in Argentina.
Please send any questions regarding the call for bids to buenosaires.projects@fco.gov.uk
Documents: