QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION FOR
CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY (WOO) OF
HARIYO BAN PROGRAM
October 20, 2014
Q 1. Is it necessary to have the organization from the local level for submitting the proposal?
A: It is not mandatory for an organization to be from a site specific area or be based in a local community. Any Nepali organization can submit proposals under WOO for any site/location in the two Hariyo Ban landscapes (Terai Arc and Chitwan-Annapurna Landscapes).
Q 2. Does the WOO support the research project?
A: Any research proposals thathave practical application or research for testing and/or promoting innovative science and technology are eligible for WOO Awards. Such research work should be completed within the given time frame (as of March 2016).
Q 3. What shall be the selection procedure of the proposals?
A: The initial screening of the proposals will produce a shortlist of proposals by a team comprising three Hariyo Ban component coordinators, and one selected Hariyo Ban core team staff or a WWF staff with relevant expertise, following a standard initial screening format. Shortlisted proposals will be reviewed by a committee comprising the four members listed above and a Government of Nepal representative from the Hariyo Ban Program Steering Committee’s Working Group who will also be a member of the review committee. All members will be required to sign a non-disclosure and non-conflict of interest declaration. The committee will review the concept notes following a standard technical review format for their relevance, support to government’s policies and priorities, and contribution to Hariyo Ban’s objectives and cross-cutting themes. In case of need where the committee wants to seek opinion from external experts, a meeting will be organized among the committee, external expert, the Hariyo Ban Coordinator at WWF Nepal or his/her designee, and the Hariyo Ban Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party. The final decision will be based on majority opinion. The applicants can be asked to revise/ elaborate the proposals in accordance with review comments. Successful proposals will be forwarded to USAID for review and approval.
Proposals will be evaluated competitively based on proposed geographical area, innovative aspects, relation to Hariyo Ban objectives and program outcomes, value addition to Hariyo Ban through contribution to intermediate results (IRs) and Sub-IRs, opportunities for replication and scaling out, capacity building, feasibility of budget requested, and complementarity/duplication with Hariyo Ban’s annual work plan. Technically sound proposals will be evaluated for organizational capacity of the applicant(s) (based on the organization profile submitted separately) in the final stage.
Q 4. How many awards will be given for this Call of October 2014?
A: There is no specific number of awards to be given for this call. It will be based upon the total funds available for Civil Society Organizations for this call following the previous two calls.
Q 5. What should be the budget format?
A: There is no specific budget format. However, the applicant should provide a detailed activity-wise budget breakdown including the budget for human resources and administrative expenses.
Q 6. How can result of research projects be obtained in one year of project period of Hariyo Ban Program?
A: The Hariyo Ban Program is near to its completion phase (2011-2016), so at this stage, only short-term research will be supported whose results can be assessed before March 2016.
Q 7. Is it possible to select the theme and activities under the base of Hariyo Ban Program?
A: It is possible to select the theme and activities under the base of Hariyo Ban Program; however, under this Windows of Opportunity call, we focus on the innovation of the activity, target the gaps identified in the Hariyo Ban Program, and the value addition to the overall Hariyo Ban Program.
Q 8. Can two NGOs work together as a joint venture?
A: Yes. Two or more than two organizations can work in Joint Venture. For such proposals, one organization should take the lead. For a joint venture between national and international organizations, the national organization must take the lead and submit the proposal.
Q 9. Can a WOO award support for participation in an international conference?
A: Proposals involving participation in International Conferences can be funded if this adds value to the proposed activity and contributes strategically to the Hariyo Ban Program. Note that all international travel has to be approved separately by USAID.
Q 10. Does the Hariyo Ban Program support policy level work?
A: Yes, Hariyo Ban Program supports policy level work. If policy level work such as support to creation, amendment and implementation of policies and strategies are involved, it is not necessary that such activities be carried out only in TAL and CHAL; they can be carried out at the central level as well.
Q 11. Is there any support from Hariyo Ban Program for the preparation of proposals?
A: Hariyo Ban Program does not provide any support during the proposal preparation period. However, publicly available information such as Hariyo Ban reports can be accessed from the WWF Nepal website and Resource Center at the WWF Office. Other data and information besides those mentioned above can be shared onlyafterwards with grantees.
Q 12. When does the project, awarded under WOO, commence?
A: Since the proposals are screened at different levels including the final approval from the USAID, the tentative time of commencement of the awarded projects will be from January-/February 2015 and such projects should be completed by March 2016.
Q 13. Is there any animal specified for Human Wildlife Conflict mitigation?
A: There is no limit for any work to be implemented under human-wildlife conflict mitigation. However, it must be kept in mind that the focal species prioritized by Hariyo Ban Program will be given preference. The priority species include Tiger, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Snow Leopard and Red Panda.
Q 14. Does WOO support any technology transfer?
A: Depending upon the feasibility of the project, technology transfer can be supported. But, such projects should be justifiable by its output, budget and time.
Q 15. Can NAST apply for the WOO awards from funds for CSO?
A: Yes. National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) should apply for WOO awards for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), not Government WOO funds.
Q 16. Is the technical and financial proposal reviewed separately?
A: Technical and financial proposals do not come separately. The technical aspects of the proposal are reviewed first, followed by review of financial aspects.
Q 17. Should the organization be VAT/PAN registered?
A: Yes. For the private company/organization, they must be VAT registered whereas, NGOs must be either VAT or PAN registered.
Q 18. In what basis the location should be specified?
A: Activities in proposals can be at site level, ward level in VDCs/Municipalities, whole VDC, municipality, district, sub-landscape level (e.g. corridor or protected area), or at the landscape level.
Q 19. Do we need to propose indicators?
A: If the proposal is selected for funding, Hariyo Ban Program will work with grantees to identify relevant indicators from Hariyo Ban’s monitoring system. Grantees should monitor the progress of their activity using these indicators. Grantees can also use additional indicators of their own choice to do more complete monitoring and reporting.
Q 20. Under the capacity building theme, can the beneficiary be the local government?
A: Yes, capacity building of the local government can be done. This requires the approval from the office of the local government.
Q 21. Can a newly established NGO also bid for the project?
A: Yes, but the NGO should be a registered organization with legal identity
Q 22. Is it possible toaddress theissue of GESI, Capacity building and Governance in community forests? Is it possible to make community forest groups and local FM/medias partners?
A: Yes, the issues of GESI, Capacity building and Governance in community forests can be addressed and the project can be implemented in collaboration with CFUGs/FM/media.
Q 23. Can a national or international organization participate in more than one submission?
A: Any organization can participate in any number of submissions. However, an international organization must partner with a Nepali organization, and their proposal(s) must be submitted by the Nepali organization as the lead partner. A Nepali organization can submit any number of proposals - there is no limit.
Q 24. Is it possible to propose an activity that can support more than onetheme? Can one single project consider two thematic areas?
A: A single proposal can support/relate to more than one theme, with activities that contribute to multiple themes. However, the proposal must indicate a single major thematic area (this is for administrative purposes).
Q 25. Can students apply for WOO awards?
A: Proposals from individuals cannot be accepted for the Windows of Opportunity funds. Students can apply for a grant through the Small Grants Programwhich is announced every year by Hariyo Ban Program. The next announcement will be made in early 2015. If an academic institution applies for a WOO award, students can be involved in implementing theproject.
Q 26. Can a new organization (NGO) registered this year apply? Does an organization need a proven track of experience in the related field to apply?
A: A new organization registered this year can apply for WOO awards. It is not mandatory for the organization to have a proven track record in the related field, but the experiences of the project staff and the organization will add value in the selection.
Q 27. Where is the working area of Hariyo Ban Program? What is the working period of time?
A: The working area of Hariyo Ban Program is TAL and CHAL. The remaining working period of Hariyo Ban Program is until2016. All awards under this call for proposals must be completed by March 2016.
Q 28. Can a farmers group and Community Forest Users Group apply for the WOO awards?
A: Yes, farmers groups and Community Forest Users Groups can apply for WOO Awards. These groups and user committees should be registered, e.g. in District Agriculture Development Office, or District Forest Office, or any other relevant government body.
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