1. Introduction
On behalf of (1) ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and (2) Nature Biodiversity Conservation Agency (NBCA) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Thua Thien Hue Union Science and Technology Associations (HUSTA), as the Service Provider (SP) for Chu Mom Ray and Kon Ka Kinh ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) is pleased to launch a Call for Proposals (2nd call) for Small Grants in the framework of Small Grants Programme phase II (SGP II) in the both AHPs.
The Small Grants Programme (SGP), with assistance of German Financial Cooperation (KfW), supports efforts to protect biological diversity in ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs), while simultaneously assisting livelihood development in and around select AHPs. Since 2017, this financial cooperation extends its support to participating AHPs in Vietnam as part of its second phase, namely SGP II.
The overall programme objective is the protection of biological diversity and the sustainable management of natural ecosystems in the ASEAN region and to contribute to the improvement of livelihoods of the local population. Specifically, the SGP II aims to:
– Improve biodiversity protection in line with the interest of local population directly dependent on selected AHPs and adjacent areas;
– Improve the livelihood of local communities directly dependent on selected AHPs or adjacent areas;
– Improve capacity and coordination for biodiversity conservation of AHP system in Viet Nam, including monitoring and evaluation system;
– Strengthen the role of ACB in promoting biodiversity protection among the ASEAN Member States (AMS).
Important note: For more detailed information, please refer to Terms of Reference (TOR) for the 2nd Call for Proposals of small grants in the website for Chu Mom Ray AHP (https://sgp2.husta.vn/?attachment_id=801) and Kon Ka Kinh AHP (https://sgp2.husta.vn/?attachment_id=802).
2. Purpose of the Call for Proposals
The purpose of the second call for proposals is to seek registered and qualified organizations (i.e., park management, national and international NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, research institutes / centers, universities and local community organizations) to develop innovative interventions and provide supports for improving the biodiversity conservation and livelihood development based on the recommendation grant packages in the Participatory Small Grant Action Plan (PSGAP) for Chu Mom Ray AHP and Kon Ka Kinh AHP (https://sgp2.husta.vn/?cat=8).
The allocated amount for Small Grants implementation in each AHP is EUR 700,000; in which 40% of is allocated to biodiversity conservation activities, while the other 60% aims to support livelihood improvement for local communities in AHPs. Each small grant is amount between EUR 20,000 and EUR 100,000. The SGP will provide up to 80 percent of eligible cost in the approved total budget; the remaining 20 percent is the required cost sharing. The SGP may also co-finance interventions that have funding from other sources, minimum of 20%.
3. Scope of small grants and duration of implementation
The grant project is provided by Small Grant Fund regionally managed by the ASEAN Centre by Biodiversity. The small grant implementation period must be from 6 to 12 months (including reporting). All project field implementation shall be completed before September 30th, 2024. Project expenditure is eligible from the date of signing the grant agreement until the end of the project as stated in the grant agreement.
4. Thematic area
Based on results of PSGAPs, potential small grant packages are identified and prioritized to implement in the both AHPs. These interventions in the grant packages ranged in 3 different priority levels (medium to highest level), and categorized in 5 thematic areas: i) Park general management, ii) Wildlife research and biodiversity monitoring; iii) Community outreach and conservation awareness; iv) Community development; and v) Ecotourism development.
The proposed interventions must also comply to the SGP’s Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the intervention white-list of SGP.
5. Eligible proponent
Eligible proponents who demonstrate sufficient capacities (technical and personnel), experience with the proposed activities, and sufficient capacities for administration of and accountability for grant funds, are invited to apply and submit the proposals that meet the call. Proponents have to ensure that there is appropriate own contribution (minimum 20% either in cash and /or in kind) to the grant proposal.
Proponents that have been or will be awarded grants (Micro or Small Grants) in CMRNP, KKKNP and other targeted AHPs (i.e., HLNP and BBNP) of SGP II programme are not eligible for grant application in this second call.
Proponents should familiarize themselves with the proposed grants packages in the PSGAP, the SGP_II Programme Management Manual (PMM) in particular its approaches and its grant-making process, selection criteria of interventions and investments prior to applying and developing the grant proposals. The mentioned document could be downloaded from (https://sgp2.husta.vn/?p=581).
All proponents are required to consult with the Management Board of targeted AHPs (e.i., CMRNP, KKKNP), relevant local authorities and targeted communities at least TWO times prior to the development of proposals. Selected proponents shall liaise and work closely with the above-mentioned parties in the planning and implementation process. Proponents need to consider that AHP management/local governance i.e., commune/ district authorities should take ownership of the activities in the long-term, which in turn will enhance policy formation at the provincial and national levels.
The proponents are required to assign a team with minimum of 3 – 4 project key personnel i.e., project team leader, field coordinator and / or M&E officer, and financial manager with clear assigned roles and tasks. The team leader will work in overall coordination with the SP and the Management Board of AHPs; and report to the key partners of SGP II as required. The CVs of the team of key personnel should be annexed to the proposal.
6. Concept notes and proposal format and language
Proponents should use only the provided templates in the Annexes for concept notes, technical and financial proposals and other relevant required documents for submission. The National Working Team (NWT), PMU, and ACB will NOT accept the required documents in other formats.
The Concept Note and proposals must be in English.
Proponents shall submit the organization information (Annex 5) when submitting concept note and proposal.
Based on the list of selected concept notes, the SP will only notify the selected proponents to develop the corresponding proposals. The SP will provide support to complete the proposal based on comments from PMU and will facilitate the proponents in the submission of the proposal.
Proponents shall submit the concept note for small grant projects before or latest June 22nd, 2023 (23:59 GMT +7) through Google form following this link: https://forms.gle/rZy4e8VJxf9bX8dT6. Proponents shall receive a notification email once the concept note is submitted. Proponents must strictly follow the instructions for submission of concept notes as provided in the Google form link. Proponents of selected concept notes will be notified via email by July 11th, 2023. The decision of the selected concept notes is final and binding.
7. Online orientation workshop for grant package introduction and concept note guidelines
Proponents will be invited to join the online orientation workshop for grant package introduction and concept note guidelines. The workshop is organized as described below:
• Date: June 17th, 2023
• Time: 2h-5h PM (Vietnamese time)
The detailed information for the orientation workshop will be updated and announced on the websites (https://sgp2.husta.vn/; http://iren.hueuni.edu.vn) and facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/vientnmt/).
For more information about the call of proposals, the applicants could contact service provider and Programme Management Unit (PMU) of SGPII programme at the following addresses:
Service Provider (HUSTA)
Mr. Ho Dac Thai Hoang
Phone number: + 84 905342929; Email: hoanghdt@husta.vn, hoanghdt@hueuni.edu.vn;
Mr. Dinh Tien Tai
Phone number: + 84 932430329; Email: dinhtientai@hueuni.edu.vn
Ms. Ton Nu Bao Tran
Phone number: + 84 834193559; Email: tonnubaotran@hueuni.edu.vn