Call for Proposal on Climate Change from Bread for the World

CALL FOR CLIMATE PROJECT PROPOSALS

Who we are

The Regional Office of Bread for the World for Vietnam and Lao PDR (VEST) represents the globally active development and relief agency of the German Protest Churches. We aim at empowering the poor and vulnerable to improve their living conditions and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background and purpose

Global warming has become the biggest challenge to overcome poverty and injustice. Nevertheless, it is still possible to take massive climate action allowing to stabilize global warming at 1.5°C, and thus, avoid unstoppable and disastrous runaway climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes, that the decade of the 2020s will decide upon the future of the planet. Therefore, we have made the fight against climate change a key priority. We invite registered Vietnamese NGOs (VNGOs) to join us and submit Climate Project Proposals.

Subject of funding and regional focus

Subject of funding are projects that contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement’s global goals to achieve zero net emissions by 2050 in order to stay below the temperature threshold of 1.5-2°C of global warming, and to enhance climate resilience through climate adaptation and climate disaster risk reduction with a particular focus on those who are most climate vulnerable.

We consider the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as two sides of the same coin. Thus, we encourage VNGOs to suggest projects for funding that mobilise co-benefits of climate mitigation, adaptation and sustainable development action. We are also looking forward to receive concept notes for projects that pilot truly innovative climate and energy approaches with high transformative potential. The main focus of such pilot projects in terms of beneficiaries has to be laid on poor and marginalized populations.

We will strategically select VNGO partners, and will increase cooperation with think tanks and academia. The regional focus is put on Vietnam and Lao PDR. Regional projects covering both countries are eligible for funding, too.

Thematic funding priorities

Strengthening climate resilience through local-led community-based adaptation, scaling-up the use of renewable energies, building up climate and energy transformation capacity, and the formation of transformative multi-stakeholder alliances are our four priorities:

• Enhancing climate resilience and reducing climate-induced loss and damage of vulnerable rural populations, particularly in coastal and mountainous regions, through community-based adaptation and nature-based solutions, co-developed in cooperation between local partners and experts
• Piloting, scaling up and mainstreaming the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency with sustainable development co-benefits in poor rural contexts
• Increasing climate risk awareness and response capacity in Vietnam and Lao PDR through communication, knowledge transfer and capacity development
• Broadening the support for more ambitious climate and energy targets through multi-stakeholder cooperation, strategic partnerships, and dialogues.

Criteria for the selection of project proposals

Project proposals are assessed based on the criteria explained below. The most potential project proposals will be selected based on the assessment results and the availability of funds. Criteria for the selection of project proposals are:

Level of innovation

Project should be innovative, using distinct and novel approaches.

Relevance and impact

Projects should be designed to make a tangible, visible and relevant contribution to solving climate and energy challenges

Education and raising awareness

VNGOs and other relevant stakeholders should be capacitated and educated as multipliers for ambitious climate action in the context of sustainable development at local, sub-national, national and regional level in order to advocate for transformative change.

Transformation potential

The transformative nature of the project concept should be reflected in at least one of the following characteristics:

• The project achieves a substantial and measurable improvement compared to a “business as usual" scenario by setting an ambitious benchmark;
• The project brings about lasting system changes and/or lasting changes of decision-makers or a significant number of individuals or institutions;
• The project initiates steps towards a sustainable and climate-neutral development path
• The project has the potential to become a role model.

Quality

An underlying theory of change and the expected project results are presented in a precise and comprehensive way. Important factors for this include the operationalization of the project goals, the definition of achievable objectives and beneficiaries, a structured approach with specified work streams, milestones and measurable indicators.

Gender mainstreaming and participation

We are promoting equal opportunities for women and men. The project’s concept note should specifically address women’s needs and how women will participate and benefit from the project. Participation and empowerment of other vulnerable groups (e.g. youth, indigenous groups, people with disabilities) is also encouraged.

Sustainability of the project impact

The project’s concept note should clearly show how the project activities contribute to the preservation or continuation of achieved goals and/or activities beyond the project lifespan.

Requirements for project implementation

Result-based monitoring

The planning and monitoring of the project must be oriented on an impact chain (output, outcome, impact). Indicators must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

Organizations eligible for funding

Funding is provided to VNGOs, mass organizations, university and non-university research institutes and think tanks, all of them fulfilling the prerequisite of being registered in Vietnam or Lao PDR.

Implementing organizations must have been working in the fields of sustainable development, climate, energy and/or biodiversity protection for a minimum of three years.

Implementing organizations must proof their capability to plan the measures in a professional manner, to implement them cost-efficiently, to monitor them and account for them based on expenditure.

Funding conditions

Funding will only be provided to projects. Institutional (core) funding is not permitted.

The funding provided by the Bread for the World for Vietnam and Lao PDR should not exceed 75% of the total project costs.

In case of grant approval, the applicant must agree that VEST may disclose the name of the funded organization and the purpose of the funding as part of their public relations work.

For approval, disbursement and accounting of the grant as well as reporting and auditing, corresponding regulations of Bread for the World in their latest version will become integral parts of the grant agreement.

Duration and amount of funding

Duration

Projects should be completed within a period of 24 up to a maximum of 36 months.

Amount of funding

A grant of between EUR 200,000 and a maximum of EUR 1,000,000 can be awarded per project. The funding ceiling for applicants who receive funding from Bread for the World for the first time is of about EUR 500,000.

Selection and application procedure

The VEST selection procedure has two stages.

For the first stage of the procedure, project proposals in English of a maximum of 7 pages are submitted on the basis of this Call for Proposals by 11 October 2020. Only project proposals that are received by this deadline will be considered and reviewed in this selection procedure.

In the second stage of the procedure, pre-selected applicants will be informed of the result of the assessment in writing and invited to submit a full project proposal. The relevant provisions and templates will be provided in writing after the first stage of the procedure has been completed.

Assessment and decision-making procedures

The project outlines and project proposals are evaluated by VEST, with support of experts, based on the listed selection criteria. Accepted proposals will undergo the approval process of Bread for the Word

The project can be expected to start from the first quarter of 2021 onwards.

Concept note

Please submit your concept note, including a draft budget, by 11 October 2020 to:

Ms. Bich
[email protected]

The concept note should not exceed 7 pages. It should include the following information:

• Project title
• Funding priority (chose one or from the above-mentioned priorities)
• Information on the applicant, legal status, and experience in the field of climate and sustainable development action
• Country/region of implementation
• Program duration
• Information on the applicant, legal status, annual budget, and experience in implementing thematic relevant programs
• Implementing partners (local partners, experts)
• Brief project description (including problem description, overall objective, beneficiaries, impact chain, theory of change, main work streams)
• Why is the project transformative?
• Why is the project innovative?
• Why is the project sustainable?
• Gender mainstreaming and participation
• Budget plan (income and expenditures)

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information required: Ms. Jongen at [email protected]