Guidance

British Embassy Kabul Programme Fund 2017-18

Bidding round for the British Embassy Kabul Programme 2017-18 is now open.

Documents

Guidance for Implementers

Project Concept Form

Details

The British Embassy Kabul have a dedicated fund for supporting projects which further our priorities in Afghanistan. The fund will support projects implemented between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018.

How to apply to the 2017-18 bidding round

We are looking for a range of bids which can achieve an impact in one year. A guide to the scale of project funding we are looking at is set out below but this is indicative and we will consider larger or smaller-scale bids if they can still demonstrate impact.

Currently we are inviting bids in the area(s) of:

Strong, Credible Media and Good Governance (bids between c£100k and c£300k) [closing date: Tuesday 14th March 2017]

Bidders should submit bids that focus on:

  1. Strengthening the role of the media in credibly and accurately holding local and national governance processes, including the implementation of the Citizens’ Charter, to account

  2. Increasing the public voice in good governance through provision of greater opportunities for public debate and engagement

  3. Increasing trust and effectiveness of the media; particularly in terms of accuracy, range and depth of coverage of key government and security institutions

Strengthening the Role of Women (bids between c£150k and c£350k) [closing date: Thursday 2nd March 2017]

Bidders should submit bids that focus on:

  1. Early and Forced Marriage: Project ideas/initiatives that will work at a community and provincial level to challenge social norms around the acceptability of marrying girls before they reach maturity highlighting associated risks to education and health and raising awareness of Afghan legislation on the age women can be legally married.

  2. Sexual harassment in the workplace: Project ideas/initiatives to support the effective implementation of recent legislation to combat the sexual harassment of women in the workplace. Projects might seek to work with local authorities, including the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, or the business community or seek to raise awareness amongst women in the workplace of their rights and how they can be comfortable.

  3. Access to Justice: Project ideas/initiatives to further promote access to justice for women in provincial communities.

  4. HeforShe: Initiatives around men and boys support for women’s rights with a focus on community action to facilitate women’s access to health, education, employment and participation in local decision-making.

Social Cohesion and Countering Extremism [NOW CLOSED]

Project bids under additional priority themes may follow. Please check this site for details and closing dates.

In all thematic areas, successful bidders will be expected to demonstrate:

  • that the project proposal provides good value for money

  • that the project proposal has a clear, achievable impact, and responds to a local demand or need

  • that their organisation has the capacity to deliver the project to a high standard

  • how the project helps build Afghan capacity (International NGOs/companies should aim to partner with a local Afghan counterpart where feasible)

  • that the impact of the project will be sustainable beyond the end of the funding period (i.e. 31 March 2018)

  • that they have carefully considered all risks and have proposed suitable mitigation methods

N.B. Bids for projects in Afghanistan’s provinces will be given a higher priority.

To apply, you should:

  • read all the documents and requirements

  • complete the project concept note form and submit your proposal to BEKProgrammeFund@hotmail.com by the date given above in the theme header. Please ensure the theme area of the bid is included in the subject line

In submitting an application or considering whether to do so, please note that:

  • the British Embassy does not have the capacity at this stage to provide any further guidance or information beyond that already provided

  • we are unable to meet with implementers ahead of any concept bid being submitted

  • it is not necessary for implementers to seek pre-approval ahead of submitting a concept bid

  • all implementers will be notified on the outcome of their bids. However the British Embassy is unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful implementers at the concept bid stage

  • implementers who have been successful at the concept bid stage will be invited to submit a full proposal

  • implementers whose proposals are awarded funding will be contracted on the understanding that activity will begin as early as possible within financial year 17/18

Before bidding please familiarise yourself with the attached documents.

Published 21 February 2017