DIRECT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME APPLICATION PROCESS. Promoting Trade and Investment Globally

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1 DIRECT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME APPLICATION PROCESS Promoting Trade and Investment Globally

2 KEY DATES AND POINTS TO NOTE Publication date- April 23, 2018 Deadline for applications- June 4, 4:30 p.m. Two (2) copies of the application must be submitted in hard copy via registered mail, courier or hand delivered to Caribbean Export Headquarters on or before the deadline. No extensions will be granted

3 PROFILE OF APPLICANT Company Details Name & Address of Company Date of Company Registration Main Contact Name & Position of Contact Bank Details of Company Name & Address of Beneficiary Bank Account Number, SWIFT, ABA Intermediary Bank Details (Wire Transfers)

4 PROJECT/TITLE Description of Activities to be Undertaken Explain and outline the details of each activity Describe the challenges/issues the proposed activities intend to solve Ensure proposed activities are aligned with the project objectives and results Proposed activities must be reflected in the detailed budget The action plan should summaries all activities to be completed indicating resources to be used

5 PROJECT/TITLE

6 PROJECT/TITLE Detailed Description of Human Resources to be Utilized Detailed description on management team Experience and qualifications of project team Demonstrate that the company has the capacity to undertake the proposed activities Type of consultant and level of experience is required

7 PROJECT/TITLE List the Expected Results Objectives/Measurable Results Increase production output by 20% Increase visibility of the company s products Quantifiable Indicators Installation and operation of new production equipment Number of products produced Production of collateral materials such as brochures, advertisement, promotional events 20% Increase in annual sales X number of products sold for the year

8 PROJECT/TITLE Explain the Relevance/Importance of the Project to the Company Present challenges affecting the company How will the proposed activities remedy/improve the existing challenges What are the implication of the challenges Are there any opportunities to be explored How will the proposed intervention(s) affect the growth strategy of the company

9 PROJECT/TITLE Indicate Any Value- Added Elements Environmental issues/concerns addressed by the project Partnerships Development of new products Support to gender quality and provision of equal opportunities

10 PROJECT/TITLE Indicate How Project Activities Will be Financed Personal Funds Open Line of Credit ( Bank agreement) Bank Loan ( Loan agreement ) Indicate How Activities Will Be Sustained After Grant Funding Increased production of goods resulting in increased revenue which will be utilized to facilitate improvement in other areas of the company

11 PROJECT/TITLE Describe the Partner Company Name and address of company History of cooperation with the applicant (supplier of specialised equipment) Role and involvement of Partner in implementation of the project Contact Person Position

12 BUDGET Click on the hyperlink to download and complete the separate excel spread sheet document to itemize your budgetary cost of the project activities The completed budget must be printed and submitted along with each copy of the application Failure to submit the completed budget will result in the application being ineligible export.com/download/181060/

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14 DIAGNOSTIC TOOL The online Diagnostic Assessment Tool Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the company Identify the company s ability to successfully execute the project activities Click on the hyperlink to complete the online diagnostic tool The completed Diagnostic Assessment Tool must be printed and submitted with each copy of the application Failure to complete the assessment will render the application incomplete and it will therefore not be considered eligible.

15 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Notarized copy of Registration of Certification or Certificate if Incorporation Copy of the last two (2) years audited or unaudited financial statements (Income statement/profit & Loss and Balance Sheet) Financial support documentation (loan, certificate of deposits etc.)

16 APPLICANT DECLARATION The declaration is to be read carefully, signed and dated by all applicants

17 CHECKLIST

18 APPLICATION EVALUATION The quality of the application will be evaluated be Members of the Review committee under two (2) main areas of assessment. The feasibility of the project using an evaluation grid. Applicants receiving an weighted average equal to or greater than 70% will be ranked. All ranked applications, though eligible, may not be awarded a grant due to the pre-assigned value of the financial envelope allocated to the Call of Proposals.

19 APPLICATION EVALUATION The company s ability to execute the project successfully assisted by the results of the Diagnostic Assessment applied to each company. The Diagnostic diagnoses and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of SMEs across four (4) main pillars- Management, Production, Finance and Marketing The full results of Diagnostic Assessment Tool must be printed and submitted with both copies of the submitted application.

20 APPLICATION EVALUATION Evaluation Grid EVALUATION GRID Maximum Score 1. Relevance of the project How relevant is the proposal to the objectives of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme and the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme? How relevant to the particular needs and constraints of the intended Beneficiary and/or Partner(s) is the proposal? Do the proposed activities support the overall growth strategy of the firm? How clearly defined and strategically chosen are those involved (if final beneficiaries or target groups)? Have their needs been clearly defined and doe the proposal address them appropriately? Does the proposal contain specific value added elements, in particular, promotion or alliance of public/private partnerships, innovation and best practices, or cross-cutting issues such as climate change, promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities? 7

21 APPLICATION EVALUATION Evaluation Grid EVALUATION GRID Maximum Score 2. Effectiveness and feasibility of the project Are the activities proposed appropriate, practical, and consistent with the objectives and expected results? Is the action plan clear and feasible? Does the proposal contain quantifiable indicators for the outcome of the project? How coherent is the overall design of the project? (in particular, does it reflect the analysis of the problems involved, taking into account external factors) Is the applicant/partners' level of involvement and participation in the project satisfactory? 6

22 APPLICATION EVALUATION Evaluation Grid EVALUATION GRID Maximum Score 3. Sustainability of the project Is the project likely to have a tangible impact on the Beneficiary and/or Partners(s)? Is the proposal likely to have multiplier effects (including scope for replication and dissemination of information)? Are the expectation results of the proposed project sustainable: - Financially (how will the activities be financed after funding ends -Institutionally (will structures allowing the activities to continue to 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 the structured impact of the project - e.g. will it lead to improved legislation, codes of conduct, methods, etc.?) -Economically (if applicable) (will the project have a negative/positive environmental impact)? 7

23 APPLICATION EVALUATION Evaluation Grid EVALUATION GRID Maximum Score 4.1 Budget and cost-effectiveness of the project Are the activities appropriately reflected in the budget? Is the proposed expenditure necessary for the implementation of the project? 10

24 APPLICATION EVALUATION 1. Product/Service - Demand - Innovation and R&D - Production/Service Delivery Capacity - Certification and Quality 2. Management - Structure - Strategy - Skills and Experience - Risk Management 3. Marketing - Brand Strength - Marketing Penetration - Customer Experience - Reach PILLAR MAXIMUM SCORE Finance - Revenue Sources and Income Level - Access to Funding - Accountability - Profitability - Sensitivity - Efficiency - Liquidity - Solvency 100 TOTAL (AVERAGE OF ALL 4 PILLAR SCORES) 100

25 APPLICATION EVALUATION (Diagnostic Assessment)

26 WEIGHTED AVERAGE All applications will be judged on two criteria; 1. The project 70% 2. The firm s ability to execute the project as measured by SME Diagnostic Assessment Tool 30% Each criterion will be scored from using the evaluation grid above, as well as the results of the diagnostic assessment Evaluation Criteria Weight (A) Sample Score (B) Weighted Score (A x B) Project 70% Diagnostic Tool Score 30% TOTAL SCORE 77

27 DIRECT ASSISTANCE GRANT SCHEME PROPOSAL WRITING Promoting Trade and Investment Globally

28 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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

29 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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

30 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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 project activities

31 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 9. Failure to complete the Diagnostic Tool and submitting the printed results with your application 10.Not linking the outcome of the project to the success of the project

32 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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?

33 DAGS Proposal Writing The proposal format for the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme layout: Project Title Project Objectives Project Description Project Methodology Project Action Plan Project Results/Measurable Indicators/Outputs Project Budget / Cost The Diagnostic Tool Assessment

34 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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 able to be validated by results

35 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING The key principles or elements of the proposal: Project Description & Methodology Executive Summary: Provide a brief description of the organization and summarize the details of the project as well as the projected outcomes.

36 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING The key principles or elements of the proposal: Project Description & Methodology A detailed description of each activity to be undertaken including the action plan for undertaking all project activities A detailed description of the human resources to be utilized on the project activities Identify quantifiable expected results that the project aims to achieve

37 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING The key principles or elements of a proposal: Project Description & 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.

38 DAGS Proposal Writing The key principles or elements of the proposal: Action Plan An action plan summarising the overall project activities and illustrating what activity will be undertaken, the required resources and duration. See E.g. below:

39 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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

40 DAGS PROPOSAL WRITING 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

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42 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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