REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - Population Action International

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Population Action International (PAI) is currently entering the second phase of RH BudgetWatch, a project intended to promote women and girls’ access to contraceptives by fostering civil society oversight over budget 1 expenditures as well as allocations. The specific objectives of RH BudgetWatch are to: (1) Mobilize government funding for family planning and ensure that budgets are spent as planned; and (2) Nurture a strong community of reproductive health budget analysis and advocacy practitioners. PAI recognizes that local people and organizations are the best positioned to monitor, advocate and hold their own governments accountable for promises made, including budgetary commitments. Therefore, supporting civil society organizations in project focus countries to do budget analysis and advocacy is an essential part of this project. ABOUT PAI Population Action International (PAI) advocates for women and families to have access to contraception in order to improve their health, reduce poverty and protect their environment. Our research and advocacy strengthen U.S. and international assistance for family planning. We work with local and national leaders in developing countries to improve their reproductive health care programs and policies. PAI shows how these programs are critical to global concerns, such as preventing HIV, combating the effects of environmental degradation and climate change, and strengthening national security. ABOUT THIS PROJECT The establishment of Malawi’s budget line for contraceptives in 2013/14 was a great achievement. It fulfilled an important part of the government’s London Summit commitment, and signaled the government’s willingness to take on a growing role in funding contraceptive supplies in the future. However, the allocation of 26 million Malawi kwacha (US$80,000) is only small share of total funding needed for contraceptives in the country. As a follow-up, PAI is soliciting proposals for a grant to: (1) Assess whether or not the government’s 2013/14 budget for contraceptives is on track to be fully spent; 2) Develop and implement an advocacy strategy to increase allocations in future budget cycles; and 3) Document findings and experiences from the project. GUIDELINES Proposals must demonstrate an 18-month project to document and increase the Government of Malawi’s allocation to the new budget line for contraceptives. PAI recognizes that each applicant will have different strategies and tactics for working within their unique environment as it relates to budget tracking and engaging with target government entities. Thus, we encourage applications to think resourcefully and strategically when developing their proposal. In the application form, applicant organizations are strongly encouraged to demonstrate:  An understanding of the reproductive health and contraceptive policy and funding context within their country;  Successful advocacy experience to improve support for reproductive health among government and other policymakers;

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You can read more about the project and the first round of grants here: bit.ly/1fjm4i7. 1

 An ability to work in coalition with other reproductive health-focused organizations; membership/leadership in advocacy networks and alliances is strongly encouraged; and  Prior experience working with national budgets and using budget monitoring and expenditure tracking highly desirable. ELIGIBILITY AND FUNDING CRITERIA  Awards up to a maximum of USD $60,000 per approved proposal, to be distributed over 18 months.  Organizations must be registered/ incorporated as non-governmental organizations or non-profit organizations in Malawi.  Organizations must have a dedicated bank account in the organization’s name to receive funds.  Grants can fund no more than a maximum of 15% for core support/overhead/administration. Programmatic staff costs should be budgeted for separately from overhead.  Grants include no more than USD $500 for communications equipment purchases (tablets, cameras, etc.). EXPECTATIONS OF FUNDING RECIPIENTS  Organizations are expected to develop a targeted plan to implement all activities, and achieve all objectives outlined in their proposal. Please be realistic.  Organizations will be expected to produce and disseminate a brief report on their findings in the second year.  Organizations will be expected to produce case studies, briefs, blogs, or other communications materials to share their work throughout the project . These activities will feed back into the larger project objective of nurturing and expanding a strong community of reproductive health budget analysis and advocacy practitioners.  Organizations are expected to utilize the resources offered by PAI’s RH BudgetWatch team, who will be available to assist with the budget analysis, advocacy, and communications aspects of the grantee’s workplan.  Organizations will be available to meet with a PAI project team and share progress towards deliverables, including sharing of any documents gathered and review of advocacy plans and achievements. These visits from PAI will typically last two to three days and take place one to two times per year.  Organizations must have the ability to conduct and demonstrate proper reporting, including monitoring and evaluation and preparing detailed narrative and financial expenditure reports.  Organizations must participate in update and strategy calls with the PAI project lead and other project partners. We will adjust the frequency of these calls as events/developments warrant, but plan to start with once monthly skype or telephone calls. Be sure to include any anticipated telecommunications expenses in your budget.

Please send your completed Small Grant Application Form and Budget Template & Workplan to Amandi Clarke, Research Associate, [email protected] by 5:30pm EST April 25, 2014.

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SMALL GRANT APPLICATION FORM Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. After completing, please submit the entire submission package to Amandi Clarke, Research Associate, ([email protected]). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but must be received no later than April 25, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Please send all questions to: [email protected] CONTACT INFORMATION

APPLICANT RESPONSE

1. Name of affiliated organization or network Please include the full name and any abbreviations. 2. Contact person(s) and contact details Please include title of the person(s) responsible, and their personal email address. 3. Address Please include the full postal address and physical address (if different from postal) 4. Telephone numbers 5. Fax numbers 6. Email address 7. Website address (if available)

ORGANIZATION/NETWORK INFORMATION

APPLICANT RESPONSE

1. Organizational description Please define your organization (i.e. NGO, community-based, faithbased, service delivery, media, advocacy, etc)

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2. Annual Budget Estimate number from past years if you need to. Include how you are funded (i.e., donors, individuals, government, community, etc). Please write this in US dollars. 3. Mission Statement Please state the goals and mission of your organization. 4. Date Organization established (By year) 5. Incorporation of Organization Is your organization organized as a corporation under the laws of your country? If yes, please attach a copy of your articles of incorporation or other organizing documents. If not, what is the form of your organization? 6. Tax Structure Is your organization exempt from taxation in your country? If yes, please attach a copy of your country’s tax-exemption rule or act, and a copy of any documentation you have showing your status. 7. Structure of Organization Include the number of employees, and if there is a Board of Directors or other governing body. Is your organization controlled or operated in connection with any other organizations? If yes, please list the names of such organizations and the nature of such connections.

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8. Primary Activities of the Organization Please describe in detail your organizational experience promoting reproductive health; and/or advocating to increase public or donor budgets and expenditures. Please highlight any work bridging health and budget advocacy. 9. Provide two external references: name, title, phone, email address, and how you know them

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Could be from previous staff, partner organizations or donors.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

APPLICANT RESPONSE

Executive Summary: In one paragraph, please summarize and describe the overall goals of the proposed project.

1. Title of the Project Please title your work; it should be brief and simple! 2. Summary of the Project Please explain the main features of the work, why this work is necessary, and how it is unique. 3. Project Goal Please explain briefly the overall goal of this project. 4. Project Objectives Please list the objectives of the project. The objectives should be Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

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5. Project Activities & Strategies Please list all the activities you have planned in order to meet your objectives. Please include when, where and how these activities will take place. 6. Project Outcomes and Output What will the activities produce? After completion of the activities, what does the project seek to achieve? 7. Target Audience Please indicate the targeted audience you intend to reach and explain why you have chosen to target them. 8. Communications Outreach What will be your primary method for reaching out to individuals (for example, coalition-building, advocacy campaigns, etc). List any deliverables or materials that may be produced. 9. Name partner organizations and networks involved Please list whether other organizations are involved (local and/or national partners or coalitions) and their specific roles. 10. Project Impact What is the impact of your project? How will your work make a difference in the timeframe? 11. How will the impact of the project be sustained? Please explain how the work conducted in the project will build and sustain your overall organizational mission and vision. Be realistic in your response.

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12. Evaluation What are 3 indicators to measure project success? Successful grantees will be responsible for developing a detailed monitoring and evaluation framework at the beginning of the project. 13. Risk Assessment Please indicate whether you have considered the potential risks or harmful effects associated with the project. Explain how you have taken this into account when planning the project or will address this in the future. 14. Is this a new project or a continuation of an existing project? If this is a continuation, is there a reason why previous donors have not continued funding? What were the lessons learned from the evaluation of the original project? 15. Is there anything else you would like to tell us which is not included above?

BUDGET NARRATIVE Please answer in US Dollars (USD$) with the relevant exchange rate included.

APPLICANT RESPONSE

1. How much is the total budget of the project? This figure should match the budget in the Project Budget Template & Workplan in the accompanying excel file, and include all of the planned expenditures. 2. Has your organization received (or will receive) funding from other sources for this project?

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If so, please give details about the other funders and what costs they will be covering. 3. Is there any additional information you would like to include about the budget? Please include any information that is relevant to how you calculated your budget.

CHECKLIST OF MATERIALS Completed Application Form Completed Project Budget Template & Workplan (The accompanying excel file) Supporting Documents (Biographies of relevant staff members, Tax Exempt Status, Articles of Incorporation, etc, if applicable). Please send completed submissions using one of the following options: 1. (Preferred) Email to Amandi Clarke, Research Associate, [email protected] 2. Fax: +001-202-728-4177, Attention to Research Associate

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