NOK 16,5 mill is allocated to the innovation lab, while NOK 9 mill NOK is allocated to the scaling and diffusion program.

Transcription

1 Innovation Norway Call for applications Humanitarian Innovation Program 2018 Are you a UN agency or a Norwegian humanitarian organization? Are you looking to conduct an innovation project in partnership with a private company? We are looking for bold innovation projects aiming to contribute to more efficient humanitarian response that saves lives, relieves distress and sustains people's dignity. Innovation Norway is now inviting UN Agencies and Norwegian humanitarian organisations with an international mandate to submit applications for projects relevant for the following two programs: Innovation lab: The innovation lab aims to create successful solutions to humanitarian challenges by supporting partnerships between private companies and humanitarian organisations. The innovation lab provides grants for the early stage idea generation and development of new solutions. Scaling and diffusion program: The scaling program will finance the scaling and diffusion of solutions that has proven to be successful. The solution must be developed in partnership between UN agencies or Norwegian humanitarian organisations and the private sector. NOK 16,5 mill is allocated to the innovation lab, while NOK 9 mill NOK is allocated to the scaling and diffusion program. Who can apply? UN agencies and Norwegian humanitarian organisations with an international mandate can apply for the grant, and collaboration with private companies is a prerequisite for receiving the grant. Private companies cannot apply. Key Focus Areas The humanitarian innovation program is looking for bold ideas that seek to improve resilience against natural disasters, or humanitarian response in crises and conflict. We will prioritise solutions improving Protection: Humanitarian organisation s efforts that contribute to protecting people from violence, abuse and violation of international law due to humanitarian crises. Green humanitarian response: Humanitarian organisation s efforts that contribute to more sustainable and more environmentally friendly solutions within humanitarian aid. Cash Transfer Programming: Cash transfer programming is the direct distribution of money rather than traditional relief items to people affected by crises.

2 General requirements for both programs Innovative The innovations are smarter, more sustainable or contribute to more cost-efficient utilization of humanitarian funds. Key Focus Areas The innovations contribute directly to either protection, green humanitarian response or cash programming. Target group The innovations shall impact people affected by crises/disasters. The applicant must describe expected results for the potential end-users of the solutions. Technology driven innovations Projects seeking to develop technological solutions will be prioritised. Innovation partnerships The project must include partnership with one or more private sector partners. Scalable solutions The innovations shall aim for diffusion and scaling. Diffusion and scaling of the innovation ensure its wider adoption for benefits outside the pilot setting, using evidence of success from the pilot phase. Resources allocated to the project Applicants must have relevant expertise and resources available. A dedicated project leader must be identified in the project proposal. Cross-cutting issues Projects that have a positive impact on cross-cutting issues will be prioritised. This includes human rights, gender equality, climate and environment as well as anti-corruption. Knowledge transfer The project must include activities that will ensure sharing of knowledge with other organisations that engage in humanitarian response. Sourcing of products and solutions Applicants must have guidelines for procurement in line with applicable rules and regulations. Humanitarian principles The project shall be conducted in accordance with the humanitarian principles; humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independency. The application deadline for this call is 23:59 PM CET, 17th of October Only electronic applications in English using the Innovation Norway application system will be considered.

3 Innovation lab - Development and piloting of new solutions Objective The innovation lab supports early stage innovation projects. We are looking for projects aiming to develop successful solutions that contribute to more sustainable and efficient humanitarian aid. The innovation lab is now open for applications. UN agencies and Norwegian NGOs with a humanitarian mandate may apply for and receive the grant. Partnership with private companies is a prerequisite for receiving the grants for the second phase of the project (see below). Project length Maximum project length is two years from the agreement letter has been signed. The lab consists of two project phases; 1. Market dialogue: The aim of the market dialogue phase is to enter dialogue with private sector actors and to develop ideas/concepts in collaboration with chosen entrepreneur(s) or companies. Examples on activities that are conducted in the market dialogue phase are workshops, hackathons and hiring of consultants. 30% or the total grant is allocated to the first phase. 2. Development and piloting: The remaining 70% of the grant will finance the development and piloting of the innovative solutions, will be disbursed when an innovation partnership agreement has been signed between the partners. Applicants may apply to either phase 1 and 2 or phase 2 only. Financing The grant can cover up to 100% of approved project development costs. Disbursement of the grant for phase 1 (30%) will take place upon receival of signed acceptance letter and request for disbursement. Disbursement of the grant for phase 2 (70%) will be take place when; Tender for innovation procurement has been developed (should include the following information: description of needs, terms of contract included IPR, qualification, allocation and selection criteria, and how procurement will be carried out) Announcement of the tender has been carried out A partnership agreement with private sector partner(s) has been signed. Project costs Project costs that can be included are: Purchasing of defined deliverables from private sector engagement, including material and technology investment in prototypes for piloting purposes Purchasing of consulting services to ensure competent resources to deliver the innovation project Up to 30% of total innovation project costs for personnel dedicated to the project

4 Other expenses related to the project such as rental of necessary facilities, equipment and travelling costs Indirect administration costs of up to 7% of total project costs Reporting All grant recipients are required to present to Innovation Norway a brief report on how the funds have been spent and the results of the project within two months after the project is completed. The grant recipient is also responsible for monitoring and review of the project, including an evaluation of the solutions and the results, in line with the organisation s results framework methodology.

5 Scaling and diffusion program Objective The scaling and diffusion program aims to finance the first uptake and scaling of successful solutions in the field. The scaling program is now open for applications. UN agencies and Norwegian NGOs with a humanitarian mandate may apply for and receive the grant. Partnership with one or more private companies is a prerequisite for receiving the grant. Project length Maximum project length is two years from the agreement letter has been signed. Financing: Matching with private capital The grant in the scaling program must be matched with capital from the private sector. The private capital can come from investment funds, philanthropic funding, shareholders within the private company partner(s), or through loans and guarantees. The partnership agreement between the parties will ensure that the program grant covers the humanitarian organisation s costs related to diffusion and scaling of the solutions, included procurement and/or implementation of the solution. The private capital shall cover the private sector partner s costs related to the diffusion and scaling plan. Project costs Project costs that can be included in the grant received by the humanitarian organisation: Purchasing the innovative solution Costs related to implementation and diffusion (travel costs, capacity building in the field) Administrative costs, maximum 7% of the total grant Other mandatory attachments to the application Diffusion and scaling plan The application shall include a scaling plan. Scaling processes varies, depending on the context of diffusion and scale-up, however each scaling program must include a scaling strategy that describes the following; Plan for implementation of the solution in the humanitarian sector The business model, including the long-term sustainability of the solution Budget Identification of risk and risk management e.g. of relevant regulatives

6 Partnership agreement A partnership agreement between the humanitarian organisation and private companies must be signed and attached to the application. The agreement should include relevant information such as distribution of IPR, costs and income. The agreement should also include plans for diffusion and scaling. Project leader s CV The project leader s CV must be attached to the application. Reporting All grant recipients are required to present to Innovation Norway a brief report on how the funds have been spent and the results of the project within two months after the project is completed. The grant recipient is also responsible for monitoring and review of the project, including an evaluation of the solutions and the results, in line with results framework methodology, which shall be included in the report to Innovation Norway.