The British Embassy Ashgabat opens its call for project proposals

The British Embassy Ashgabat has now opened its call for project proposals for project work in Turkmenistan for the period April 2020 – March 2021. The Embassy will provide funding up to $50,000 per project for successful project ideas that support activities related to Turkmenistan’s national plan to prevent and respond to the spread of acute respiratory infectious diseases. Smaller-scale project proposals are also welcome. An emphasis will be placed on the efforts:

• to prevent the penetration of severe acute respiratory infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19, into the country
• to prevent their spread and mitigate potential health risks
• to train and raise awareness of health personnel and ordinary population
• to maintain the pace of socio-economic development of the country during the global pandemic, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women, children, older people and people with disabilities

This assistance is part of the UK Government’s broader COVID-19 global response to help the authorities respond effectively to the pandemic and its negative impacts.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, the implementing partner must demonstrate:

• a proven record of successful implementation and delivery of similar projects in Turkmenistan
• sufficient operational, financial, human and expert capacities to deliver the expected results
• be legally able to carry out the activities indicated in the bid

Potential implementers may combine efforts and submit their project proposals in consortium of several organisations (implementers). Those could be both international and local organisations.

Bidding guidance

The selection process will be competitive, fair and transparent. All proposals must have a clear purpose supported by achievable and measurable outputs/results (i.e. specific deliverables, outputs with indicators) and outcome(s) (the anticipated change resulting from the relevant project outputs and activities).
The proposals must be submitted in English using the appropriate project proposal form (A or B) and a fully developed activity-based budget with a financial breakdown on an Excel spreadsheet:

• Project Proposal Form A should be used for projects between $15,000 and $50,000 or the equivalent in local currency

• Project Proposal Form B should be used for smaller-scale, high-impact or exploratory projects up to $15,000 or the equivalent in local currency

Implementing partners need to break down all activity costs into components so that it is clear how they are made up and which month each payment is due. You should provide as much detail as possible (e.g. figures for a workshop should be broken down into costs for the venue, catering, travel costs, etc.)

Implementing partners should not directly procure COVID-19-related medical supplies. This includes: personal protective equipment (PPE), oxygen-related equipment (incl. ventilators) and diagnostic tests/materials. Instead, the private sector is encouraged to increase local production and supply of medical supplies where possible.

As a rule, project funding should not be used to buy equipment, particularly those that an implementing agency should reasonably be expected to provide itself (business as usual items). However, the Embassy can exceptionally approve some purchases if there is a genuine need and the implementing partner could not be expected to hold such equipment as part of its core business operations.

The combined total of management fees, overheads and administration costs specifically related to the project (e.g. rent, project management, mandatory operational or legal costs, office maintenance, utilities, communications, stationery, bank charges, other crosscutting staff costs not directly attributable to the project, etc.) should not exceed 10% of the overall project budget. Management fees, if any, should be reflected as a fixed sum and not as a percentage of the budget.

The Embassy does not routinely make advance payments to implementing partners. The final payment to implementing partners will not be made before the Embassy receives project completion and financial reports, and is satisfied that the project has been delivered and completed satisfactorily.

Although for-profit/commercial organisations can submit project proposals for grant funding in response to a call for bids, no organisation of any kind is permitted to make a profit from a grant award.

All agreed project activities must be completed before 1 March 2021.

Selection criteria and bids assessment

All project proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

• alignment with the above mentioned objectives
• buy-in of the key beneficiaries/stakeholders of the project. An analysis of the project beneficiaries/stakeholders should be carried out during the preparation of the project, including consultation with the key beneficiaries/stakeholders. The project proposal should make clear who the key beneficiaries/stakeholders are and the level of their support for the project
• project outcomes that are measurable, realistic, impactful and achievable within the funding period
• project design that includes clear monitoring and evaluation procedures
• sustainability, demonstrating that project benefits continue after the funding ends. Are the stated assumptions on sustainability too optimistic? How realistic is it that the changes will continue after the funding runs out?
• risk and financial accountability procedures. Implementing partners need to demonstrate how they would mitigate potential risks to project delivery. The aim is not to discourage projects with a high-level of risk, but to provide assurance that risk is being managed systematically and escalated appropriately when necessary
• the organisation’s safeguarding policies to ensure the protection of beneficiaries
• feasibility of project delivery under current circumstances
• overall value for money. Have costs been reduced as far as possible? Will the project deliver the best product for the best price? Will the project support and deliver against our objectives?

Timing

To apply for British Embassy funding organisations must submit completed applications to eldar.latypov@fco.gov.uk by 22 June 2020.