UAE call for bids: Gulf Strategy Fund 2023 to 2025
The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates is pleased to announce a call for bids for the Gulf Strategy Fund in the UAE for financial year 2023 to 2025.
The British Embassy is keen to receive applications for projects that support UK’s engagement and leadership on mitigation, adaptation and resilience at COP28. We are also interested in projects that champion the Net Zero transition, and protect nature and the environment in the context of the UAE. We are interested in projects that support behaviour change and civil society engagement in tackling climate change.
The British Embassy invites applications for projects in the range of £80, 000 to £150, 000 and these can be for up to two years (ending March 2025). Applications for smaller projects will also be considered on an individual basis.
Applications are open to organisations based anywhere in the world, however priority will be given to those with strong, existing links and/or footprint in the UAE and the UK. To note, applications are only being accepted from not-for-profit entities at this time. Contact the Programme Manager if you have any questions.
Application timeline
| Stage | Due date/deadline |
|---|---|
| Applications open | March 2023 |
| Final submission of concept notes | 31 March 2023 |
| Close date for applications | 19 April 2023 |
| Appraisal completion of full project proposals | End of April 2023 |
| Decisions communicated to applicants | Early May 2023 |
How to apply
You can submit applications in full, or alternatively as a short concept note (the earlier deadline is of 31st March). If you would like to discuss your project ideas with the British Embassy, contact us with a draft concept note outlining your project ideas.
The British Embassy is keen to receive proposals that are complete, demonstrate strategic project design, are tailored and specific to the UAE context and above all contribute to the overarching strategic aims of the British Embassy in the UAE.
If you wish to submit a proposal:
- advise the Programme Manager of your intention to submit as early as possible and at least one week in advance of the due date
- complete and submit the and to UAE.Programmes@fcdo.gov.uk by 19 April 2023
- familiarise yourself at an early stage with the standard grant contract
- projects should be planned so that they are implemented and completed by March 2024 for 1-year projects and March 2025 for 2-year projects
Project proposal form: this template is similar to the previous year’s GSF template except the budget and output / activities sections have been adapted for multi-year projects.
Activity Based Budget (ABB): this template must clearly indicate the planned expenditure, including delivery, administrative and staffing costs itemised.
The deadline for full applications (with accompanying Activity Based Budgets) is 19 April 2023.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) assistance in proposal development
Although we are not able to write proposals on a Partner’s behalf, FCDO staff are available to provide support as you develop proposals, including from the British Embassy Programme team, relevant policy and sectoral specialists, the GSF Programme Design Specialist and the GSF Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist.
Contact the Programme Team if you require contact details.
How proposals are assessed and evaluated
Bids will be assessed and evaluated against the following criteria:
- value for money
- strategic fit
- evidence of local demand or need
- project viability, including capacity of implementing organisation(s)
- project design, including clear achievable impact
- sustainability
- risk and stakeholder management
- feasibility to deliver within the proposed time period
- potential to partner with the private sector
- potential to open up space for UK companies to compete and operate in sectors that have previously been challenging
- the increased market value to UK companies of an enhanced business environment
Contact:
Richard Atkinson
Programme Manager, British Embassy Abu Dhabi
Email: UAE.Programmes@fcdo.gov.uk
Documents
Updates to this page
Last updated 6 April 2023 + show all updates
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The deadline for submission of final proposals has been extended until 19 April 2023.
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First published.