Call for Proposals: The UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
The UK Government is accepting proposals for a project under its Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.
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Introduction:
The United Kingdom, is committed to maintaining the political and physical viability of a Two State Solution (2SS) to the Israeli Palestinian Conflict. The UK Government, including through its Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), has been implementing programming to promote and protect peace and the 2SS since 2017.
The UK’s ultimate goal is the creation by agreement of a sovereign, independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state living in peace and security side-by-side with a secure Israel based along the 1967 borders (2SS).
Background:
Polling consistently shows that the Two State Solution (2SS) remains the most popular solution to the conflict for both Palestinians and Israelis when compared to other proposed solutions. Despite this support, with no prospect for formal negotiations in the near future, belief in the plausibility and likelihood of a 2SS continues to decline in both Palestinian and Israeli society. With opportunities for positive interaction between Israeli and Palestinian communities increasingly limited, knowledge and understanding of the other side will continue to deteriorate alongside an increase in polarisation of both societies and dwindling support for peace. The UK Government, through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund is calling for innovative and impactful proposals to slow this trend.
Project Objectives:
The CSSF and the British Embassy Tel Aviv (BETA) is accepting proposals for two separate projects each up to a value of £150,000 per year, running for two years (April 2023-March 2025) under its Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).
Project proposals should be based on the following objective:
Israeli Public Discourse is more positive in relation to Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding and the viability of future peace.
Under this objective the CSSF will consider implementing two projects designed to meet the outcomes outlined below. Bidders can submit proposals for one or both of the below planned project areas.
Project 1:
Your project proposal should be based on the following outcome:
Project Outcome: Increased number of members of Israeli society have understanding of positive peace narratives and have a more receptive attitude toward peace.
A successful proposal would;
- Provide evidence base and analysis for focus of project activities and constituencies of society targeted. For example, a focus on influential leaders, Young People or religious constituencies.
- Incorporate varied and innovative methods of engagement. For example, lectures, seminars, tours/visits (not an exhaustive list).
- Provide an evidence based theory of change.
Project 2:
Your project proposal should be based on the following outcome:
Outcome: Israeli public debate on the conflict includes more discussion of pro-peace narratives and more challenges to negative perceptions of peacebuilding.
A successful proposal would;
- Challenge perceptions of and build support for pro-peace narratives in Israeli Society through engagement in public debate. For example, through a public campaign, traditional/social media engagement (podcasting/radio/TV etc), installations etc.
- Provide evidence for chosen approach to engagement in public discourse.
CSSF will consider implementing projects with two providers or with a single partner for both outcomes, however each proposal will be considered on its merits and bidders should submit separate proposals if applying under both project outcomes. Example activities have been included as a guide but are not prescriptive; CSSF is anticipating an evidence-based novel and innovative approach to the objective and outcomes, rather than replication of past interventions.
Summary of requirements:
The project will be managed under an Accountable Grant Agreement. Projects in this framework are not allowed to generate a profit for the delivery partner. Proposals from for-profit organisations can only be considered if an officially registered non-profit making arm or division of the for-profit organisation will deliver the project.
Bidders should have presence and previous experience working in Israel and/or the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), with in-depth knowledge of the local context, including HMG political sensitivities.
All activities must be conducted in accordance with UK values, standards and HMG policy.
Required Submissions
A. Bidders should submit the standard Project Proposal Form and the Activity Based Budget Template (ABB) for the entire project period. We will not consider proposals submitted in other formats.
B. Bidders should submit a detailed budget alongside the proposal.
- Budget must be in the form of an Activity Based Budget (ABB), including monthly breakdown. All costs should be listed in GBP (not ILS). The budget should be detailed for the first year, and contain a general estimate of the costs for the following year. Project proposals will of a maximum ceiling of £150,000 per year, per project under CSSF programme over two years divided as follows:
- Project 1:
- FY 2023/24: £150k
- FY 2024/25: £150k
- Project 2:
- FY 2023/24: £150k
- FY 2024/25: £150k
- Bidders are required to differentiate in the Annual Budget between their (a) Administrative Costs (e.g: general administration and support costs; office maintenance, repair and running costs; accountants, HR, and senior managers; other cross-cutting staff costs not directly attributable to a single project and are shared across the implementer’s business platform and any mandatory operational or legal costs incurred by an implementer in order to operate in a given location administrative staff salaries, office maintenance, repair and running costs), and (b) Project Costs which should include all project associated costs including implementing staff costs, travel, M&E costs.
- Please explain clearly, what you have included in each category. Administrative costs must stay within the limit of 10% of the total project budget.
C. Alongside the proposal, bidders should submit a 2-page summary with resume and experience of key personnel who will work on implementing the project. (Do not submit full resumes of staff please).
D. Bidders should include Official registration of the organization alongside proposal.
Bidding process
a. Proposals should be sent to aneurin.jones@fcdo.gov.uk by 3rd April 2023. In subject line please indicate the name of the bidder and title of the bid. If you have not received a confirmation email within 24 hours, please get in touch with us. (we recommend limit the size of submissions to 10MB to avoid technical issues or send in two separated emails).
b. Questions relating to the call for proposals should be submitted via email by 20th March, and answers will be published on the UK in Israel website by 27 March together.
c. CSSF reserves the right to carry out due diligence of potential grantees as part of the selection process. Due to the volume of bids expected, we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.
Evaluation Criteria
Successful bids must demonstrate strong strategic relevance to the project outcome and objective, and have a clear focus on delivering change and sustainability. Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:
a. Strategic fit to project objectives outlined above – to what extent the proposal is clear, coherent, realistic and how appropriate is the work plan of activities in order to achieve expected results.
b. Quality of project – the strength of the Theory of Change, and the monitoring and evaluation framework.
c. Value for money – what measures (effectiveness, efficiency, economy and equity) have been optimized and how.
d. Expertise- Evidence of understanding of the context; ability to manage and deliver a successful project that includes dissemination activities and engagement across society, and an existing network of relevant connections. If staff members and sub-contractors possess sufficient knowledge and experience of the project area.
e. Gender-sensitive approach – If gender implications of the project have been identified and how the project will take account of gender-related differences; ensuring the project does no harm to any particular gender group or gender context.
f. Potential of scaling up or down and sustainability- how the project outcomes will continue to have impact beyond the lifetime of the project
g. Risk management – the extent to which the proposal identifies serious risks, together with a management strategy
Last updated 27 March 2023 + show all updates
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A Q&A link was added to the call for proposals.
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First published.