Direct Assistance Grant Scheme Proposal Writing Training

Transcription

1 Direct Assistance Grant Scheme Proposal Writing Training Promoting Trade and Investment Globally Presenter : Celestine A Moe, Grant Advisor Suriname February 6 & 7, 2014

2 When applying for grant funding determine the following: 1. Eligibility Criteria 2. Guidelines / Funding Criteria 3. How funds are disbursed 4. Where to access application form 5. Method of submitting application form 6. Deadline / Submission date & time

3 Mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when preparing a proposal: 1. Not adhering to the deadline 2. Not submitting application to the correct address 3. Not using the correct application form 4. Not submitting the required support documentation with the application

4 Mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when preparing a proposal (cont d) 5. Not defining your project 6. Not providing measurable indicators or results 7. Not justifying the importance of need for the project. 8. Not providing a credible budget that supports the proposed activity or project.

5 What are the next steps to preparing a successful application / proposal? 1. Consider who is my audience? 2. How will my application be evaluated? 3. How can I demonstrate the importance and needs of the proposal? 4. How can I explain effectively the reasons for undertaking the project? and 5. How it will improve the company / business operations / bottom line?

6 The proposal format for the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme layout: Project Title Project Objectives Project Description Project Methodology Project Justification / Relevance Project Results/Measurable Indicators/Outputs Project Budget / Cost

7 The key principles or elements of the proposal: Project Title: A general description of the activity to be undertaken or the intended results. Project Objectives: A plan to achieve a desired or tangible result Shall be S.M.A.R.T How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? Should be validated by results

8 The key principles or elements of the proposal: Project Description: A brief description of firm/bso business including the type of products and services, clients, markets, number of employees A detailed description on the importance of the project and the need to undertake the proposed activity. Specifics on what the activities will achieve

9 The key principles or elements of the proposal: Project Description: An action plan summarising the overall project activities and illustrating what activity will be undertaken, the required resources and duration. See E.g. below: Activity Research Study Equipment purchased & installation Travel (Market mission) Duration / Time Resources Months Research consultant & Applicant Equipment Supplier & Applicant Applicant

10 The key principles or elements of a proposal: Project Methodology: Outlines the approach or a particular procedure on how project activities will be undertaken. A statement on how the project will be undertaken inclusive of the resources (i.e. financial, capital and human) Highlights the overall design of the project and the problems to be addressed.

11 The key principles or elements of a proposal: Project Results / Outputs Measurable Are essential to validate the success of the project; specifically those that are measurable or tangible. Demonstrate that proposed project activities are completed or beneficial

12 The key principles or elements of a proposal: Project Budget / Cost: The budget provides a clear indication of the goods and services to be procured for the project in achieving its primary objectives, as well as its results. It must be credible and realistic in terms of costing of items The budget must reflect or support the proposed actions

13 Evaluation Grid EVALUATION GRID Maximum Score 1. Financial and operational capacity Do the applicant and partners demonstrate experience in managing projects? Do the applicant and partners demonstrate technical expertise? (Notably 5 knowledge of the issues to be addressed.) Do the applicant and partners demonstrate management capacity? 5 (Including staff, equipment and ability to handle the budget for the project)? Does the applicant have stable and sufficient sources of finance? 5 2.7, BUDGET

14 Evaluation Grid 2. Relevance of the project How relevant is the proposal to the objectives of the Direct Assistance Grant 5 Scheme? 2.2, How relevant to the particular needs and constraints of the intended Beneficiary 5 and/or Partner(s) is the proposal? Do the proposed activities support the overall growth strategy of the firm? 2.1, How clearly defined and strategically chosen are those involved (if final 10 beneficiaries or targets groups)? Have their needs been clearly defined and does the proposal address them appropriately? Does the proposal contain specific added value elements, in particular, promotion 5 or alliance of public/private partnerships, innovation and best practices, or other cross-cutting concerns such as environmental issues, promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities? 2.6

15 Evaluation Grid 3. Effectiveness and feasibility of the project Are the activities proposed appropriate, practical, and consistent with the 5 objectives and expected results? Is the action plan clear and feasible? 5 SUMMARY OF ACTION PLAN ACTIVITIES 3.3 Does the proposal contain quantifiable indicators for the outcome of the project? How coherent is the overall design of the project? 5 (in particular, does it reflect the analysis of the problems involved, take into account external factors) Is the applicant/partners' level of involvement and participation in the project 5 satisfactory? 2.2, 2.3

16 Evaluation Grid 4. Sustainability of the project Is the project likely to have a tangible impact on the Beneficiary and/or 5 Partner(s)? Is the proposal likely to have multiplier effects (including scope for replication and 5 dissemination of information)? Are the expected results of the proposed project sustainable: 5 - Financially (how will the activities be financed after the funding ends?) - Institutionally (will structures allowing the activities to continue be in place at the end of the project? Will there be local ownership of the results of the project?) - At policy level (where applicable) (what will be the structural impact of the project e.g. will it lead to improved legislation, codes of conduct, methods, etc.)? - Environmentally (if applicable) (will the project have a negative/positive environmental impact)? 2.8

17 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING Evaluation Grid 5. Budget and cost-effectiveness of the project Are the activities appropriately reflected in the budget 10 BUDGET 5.2 Is the proposed expenditure necessary for the implementation of the project? 5 BUDGET

18 Grant Application Process Caribbean Export publishes a Call for Proposal (CFP) duration 4-6 weeks Rejected Applicant may reapply when the next Call for Proposals is published Applicant submits an application by stated deadline Application Rejected Applications Evaluated by Evaluation Committee (The Office of the Deputy Regional Authorizing Officer (DARO) Barbados & Caribbean Export) Duration of Evaluation Process 65 working days Caribbean Export & Beneficiary sign Grant Contract. Beneficiary implements project. Application Approved Caribbean Export notifies all applicants of the status of their applications (Rejected /Approved) Evaluation Committee Report for approved & rejected applications Caribbean Export publishes Grant Beneficiaries on website

19 Questions and Answers

20 DAGS Contact Persons: Kirk Brown, Senior Grant Advisor Celestine Moe, Grant Advisor Sonia Bowen, Programme Assistant

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