Provides grants to UK based NGOs for poverty reduction projects in developing countries.

Last date : February 29, 2016

The objective of UK Aid Match is to give the public a say in how a portion of the international development budget is spent. The scheme match-funds public donations to charity appeals for projects to reduce poverty in developing countries.

Value and duration of the UK Aid Match scheme

UK Aid Match will seek to award up to £120 million in grants over 3 years from 2013 to 2016. There will be 2 funding rounds each year, with up to £20 million committed in each funding round, providing DFID receives applications of sufficient quality. Any uncommitted funding will be rolled forward to future funding rounds.

At least £1 million per funding round will be reserved to match fund appeals run by small organisations (defined as organisations with an annual income of less than £1 million, averaged over the last 3 years). UK Aid Match will support projects of up to 3 years’ duration.

Communicating UK Aid Match funding

Organisations must, through their own and their partner channels, ensure that the public are aware that their donations will be matched pound for pound by the UK government. Appeal publicity must carry UK Aid Match messaging and the UK Aid Match logo. Communications plans will be assessed as part of the application process, and activities, messaging and branding will be agreed withDFID.

Revisions to UK Aid Match

We have made the following changes to UK Aid Match:

• projects may operate in up to 3 countries (previously in up to 5 countries)
• full applications must include a risk register/matrix explaining the project risks and how you will mitigate them
• clearer guidance on eligibility of donations appeals which include income from the sale of donated items in charity shops will not be permitted
• there is no longer a separate guidance document for your communications plan – all instructions are included in the form C1 that you should now complete, using the G1 guidance for reference

In addition to these changes, we have made several other revisions to application templates and guidance. You are strongly recommended to read all the guidance and look carefully at the application templates before starting to prepare your application.

Restrictions to promoting UK Aid Match funded appeals during the pre-election period

This includes match funded NGO partners using the UK aid logo and match funding messaging in appeal communications material. This will prevent us from match funding any appeal which starts during this period. Appeals which start before this period but run during it will need to keep communications about match funding low key for this period. We will provide guidance on this as needed.

Funding for projects which tackle female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) for round 3 only

Following the Girl Summit on 22 July 2014 we are pleased to announce that a minimum of £1 million of the funding available for Round 3 will be ring-fenced for projects working to end FGM and CEFM.

For applications focused on these specific outcomes we will consider projects working in developing countries that are not currently included in the list of countries eligible for UK Aid Match funding where there is clear evidence of need.

If you are uncertain about whether a country would be eligible please contact us at ukaidmatch@dfid.gov.uk.

At concept note application stage applications for FGM/CEFM projects do not need to include confirmation of a communication partnership, although this will be needed at full application stage. Other than that, applications should be prepared following the published guidance for applicants and will be assessed according to the same criteria as for other UK Aid Match applications.

How to apply

There is a 2 stage application process to apply for the scheme:

• applicants submit a concept note
• applicants successful at the concept note stage will be invited to submit a full application

The full application and assessment process is expected to take 18 weeks. The Timetable for UK Aid Match Funding Rounds in 2015/16 is set out in this table.

Eligibility requirements

Any UK based not-for-profit organisation that works to reduce poverty in developing countries and is planning to run a public appeal to raise at least £100,000 can apply. To be successful, applicants will need to demonstrate that

• they are able to deliver poverty reduction projects which achieve development results representing good value for money
• their appeal communications will provide at least 400,000 opportunities to view

Countries

UK Aid Match funds can be used in 26 developing countries which are listed in the General guidance for applicants.

Background information on the fund

UK Aid Match is a demand-led fund that matches public donations to appeals for development activities focused on poverty reduction in developing countries. Organisations applying to have their appeals match funded will be selected on the basis of:

• the public reach of their appeal and commitment and capacity to communicate the results of the funding to the public
• capacity and track record in managing development activities
• commitment and capacity to account transparently on the use of the funding
• clarity of the expected results of the proposed activities
• whether the activities are consistent with DFID’s objectives and values
• whether the activities represent value for money

Contacts

UK Aid Match Team, Department for International Development (DFID)

Grants of Up to 5,000 Euros For Projects Protecting Human Rights of Vulnerable Civilians in Iraq: NGOs & CSOs can Apply!

Last date : November 10, 2015

 

As part of the Ceasefire Project, MRG) invites civil society organisations (CSOs) based in Iraq to submit proposals for the implementation of micro-projects aiming to protect the human rights of vulnerable civilians in Iraq. Civil society organizations based in Iraq can submit proposals for the implementation of micro-projects.

The Ceasefire Project is a three-year action mainly funded by the European Union to implement a system of civilian-led monitoring of human rights abuses in Iraq, focusing in particular on the rights of vulnerable civilians including vulnerable women (such as those fleeing violence), internally-displaced persons (IDPs), stateless persons, and ethnic/religious minorities, and to assess the feasibility of extending civilian-led monitoring to other country situations.

The aim of the project:

• Monitoring and reporting of human rights abuses of vulnerable civilians in Iraq.
• Targeted advocacy and advocacy campaign.

Grants Available

Grant of 2000 – 5,000 Euros to fund a micro-project.

Priority areas

• Minorities
• Women
• Internally Displaced People
• Stateless people

Eligibility Criteria

Non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations which are based in Iraq can apply.

 

 

For more details : http://minorityrights.org/about-us/jobs/call-for-proposals-from-civil-society-organisations-working-to-protect-the-human-rights-of-vulnerable-civilians-in-iraq/

EEP Mekong seeking high quality projects to improve livelihoods and climate resilience

Last date : September 30, 2015

 

The Energy and Environment Partnership Programme with the Mekong Region (EEP Mekong) is seeking high-quality applications for projects improving livelihoods and climate resilience in rural communities and semi-urban areas in the EEP Mekong countries through improved access and use of reliable, sustainable and affordable energy.

EEP is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The EEP Mekong Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) is based in Vientiane – Lao PDR.

Mekong countries include Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

For the CfP, the focus is promising local private sector clean energy project opportunities that are close to commercial maturity but need a limited amount of ‘bridging’ finance to enable sustainable business growth.

CfP applications are sought in two stages: 1) Concept notes (current stage), based on which successfully ranked applicants are invited to submit 2) Full project proposals.

Concept note applications will be screened in terms of key criteria, including of the following types:

a) project or business idea
b) capability of the applicant
c) development impacts and climate change mitigations
d) Scale-up/replication potential and/or potential to mobilize future investment, and
e) financial leverage (co-financing share).

For more details : http://www.eepmekong.org/index.php/how-to-apply/the-first-call-for-proposals

Darwin Initiative: applying for main project funding

Last date : July 20, 2015

How to apply

Before applying, please read the guidance note Round 22- main projects guidance note (PDF, 676KB, 24 pages) .
Once you have read the guidance note, please complete the Stage 1 application formRound 22 - Stage 1 application form (ODT, 101KB) .
If you are invited to Stage 2, please complete the Stage 2 application form Round 22 - Stage 2 application form (ODT, 81.3KB) .
A completed budget form Round 22 - Stage 2 Budget Form (MS Excel Spreadsheet,44.5KB) must also be submitted with your Stage 2 application form.

When to apply

There is a two-stage application process for main round Darwin projects. The provisional timetable for Round 22 main project applications is:

• 24 June 2015 - call for Stage 1 applications
• 20 July 2015 - deadline for Stage 1 applications
• Early October 2015 - expected outcome of Stage 1 and notification of applicants invited to Stage 2
• 1 December 2015 – deadline for Stage 2 applications
• By March 2016 - expected notification of successful projects
• From 1 April 2016 – expected start date for successful projects

Who can apply

There are no restrictions on the location or nationality of applicants, but projects must benefit biodiversity and local communities in developing countries.
Organisations making the application must:

• have experience of managing similar projects in developing countries
• be able to demonstrate financial stability and provide audited accounts

The proposed project leader must have suitable qualifications or at least 10 years’ experience working on similar projects in developing countries.

Level of funding

There is no specific minimum or maximum level for a main round project. On average, a typical Darwin main round project is around £250,000 - £300,000 and up to three years in length.

Case study

Before completing the application form, you might like to take a look at a case studyshowing an example of a successful main project.
 
For more details : https://www.gov.uk/darwin-initiative-applying-for-main-project-funding

The Darwin Initiative: Protecting Biodiversity and Natural Environment

Last date : 20 July, 2015

 
The Darwin Initiative is seeking applications from organizations to fund in projects focusing to protect biodiversity and natural environment in developing countries.
Objectives

• building environmental knowledge
• capacity building
• research
• implementing international biodiversity agreements

Darwin initiative will provide funds between £250,000 and £300,000 approximately.
Focus Areas
Projects typically address threats to biodiversity such as:

• over-exploitation
• invasive species
• habitat degradation and loss
• climate change mitigation and adaptation
• pollution

Eligibility

• Applicants can be from any country but their projects must benefit biodiversity and local communities in developing countries.
• Applicants must:
  • have experience of managing similar projects in developing countries
  • be able to demonstrate financial stability and provide audited accounts
• The proposed project leader must have suitable qualifications or at least 10 years’ experience working on similar projects in developing countries.

How to Apply

• The application process consists of two stages.
• Applicant must first submit the stage 1 application form and the selected applicants will be invited to submit the stage 2 application form.

For more details : https://www.gov.uk/darwin-initiative-applying-for-main-project-funding

Project Inspire 2015: Win US$ 25,000 to Implement your Project

Last date : July 1, 2015

 

Project Inspire 2015 will open for submissions on 25 February 2015. Project Inspire is a competition offering the participants 5 minutes time to pitch their project. Youth between 18-35 years of age from anywhere in the world can submit their project idea. The entrants must belong to NGOs, and social businesses, benefiting women and girls in Asia, the Middle East or Africa. This is a chance to win US$ 25,000 grant to implement the project idea and bring about changes.

Project Inspire-5 Minutes to Change the World is a joint initiative from the Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard.

Prizes

1. Grand Prize : The grand prize winner will receive a US$25,000 grant to implement their project.
2. Runner-up: The runner-up will receive a US$10,000 grant each to implement their project.
3. People’s Choice: This year, Project Inspire will choose twenty semi-finalists to progress to a crowd-funding stage of the competition. From the semi-finalists, finalists will be chosen to attend the Grand Finals in Singapore where they will pitch their inspired idea to a panel of judges. The remaining semi-finalists stand a chance of winning a wild-card ticket to pitch their inspired idea at the Grand Finals in Singapore by securing the most amount of supporters during the crowd-funding stage of the competition.

Ten finalists will each receive

• 1 return flight from the finalist’s capital city to Singapore, to participate in the grand final.
• 1 ticket to the Project Inspire Grand Final on November, 13 2015.
• 4 nights accommodation in Singapore, plus meals and transfers.
• Exclusive INSEAD and Bain & Company workshops, plus one-on-one mentoring.

The application form will demand the following

• What is your inspirational idea?
• How will your project change the lives of women and girls in the short and long term?
• Tell us how many women and/or girls will benefit directly and indirectly from your project.
• How will you/your team carry out the project?
• Please include a timeline for the project, indicating key phases relevant to your project i.e., ground preparation, pilot phase, training period, evaluation etc.
• Tell us the activities you have planned to help reach your goal.
• How will you spend the US$25,000 grant to carry out the project?
• Within your proposal, include a detailed budget plan on how the US$25,000 grant will be utilized. The budget should clearly indicate the project expenses, operational costs, manpower costs, and other spending relevant to your project.
• How will you measure the success of the project?

Note the timeline

1. 25 February 2015 – 1 July 2015 – Application Submission
2. 30 August 2015 – Announcement of Top 20 Semi-Finalists
3. 15 September 2015 – Crowdfunding begins
4. 30 September 2015 – Finalists announcement
5. 15 October 2015 – Wildcard Ticket announcement
6. 11 November 2015 – Finalists bootcamp
7. 13 November 2015 – Grand Final Pitch Day

Eligibility Criteria

• Participants may submit entries as an individual or as a team of up to three members. If applying as an individual, applicant must be between the ages 18 and 35. If submitting as a team, at least one member of the team must be between the ages 18 and 35. The team leader must be between the ages 18-35. If chosen as finalists, the team leader will travel to Singapore to represent the project in the finals. The team leader must attend the entire duration of the finals.
• Each participant must submit (i) an application form, and (ii) a (maximum) 5-minute video.
• The project must be designed to empower disadvantaged women and girls through entrepreneurship and business literacy.
• The project must be based on an existing initiative.
• The beneficiaries of the project must be women or girls in Asia/Pacific, Middle East or Africa.
• The proposed project must not propagate any political views or religious doctrines.
• The project must be designed to be implemented with a budget of US$25,000.
• The winner of this competition must commence the fieldwork for their project by 1 February 2016.
• Submissions must be made in English or Chinese.
• A valid email address is required for submission.

How to Apply?

• Interested applicants can fill & submit the application form available on the website.
• Applicants also need to upload the budget document in the application form.
• Each submission will only be considered complete once the application form has been submitted and accompanied by information on the existing initiative, biographies of the team members and any supporting materials (e.g. website, social media channels, media clippings, past awards).

For more details : http://projinspire.com/about-us/