Apply for GEF Small Grants Programme (Operational Phase 7) – Botswana: (Deadline: 10 June, 2024)

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme invites Civil Society organizations, Academic and Research Institutions to submit capacity building project proposals that addresses capacity development, monitoring and mentorship for SGP grantees.

Purpose

• The overall purpose of the GEF SGP Capacity Development Grants is to “enhance and strengthen capacity of communities and civil society organizations to address global environmental challenges through community led interventions and actions”.

Objectives

• The overall objective of this grant is to support capacity development, monitoring and mentorship of the GEF/SGP funded community led projects within and outside the OP7 landscapes of 1) Panhandle of the Okavango Delta, 2) Bobirwa Sub-District and 3) Makgadikgadi Wetlands area.
• Specific Objectives: 
  • The required support will include but not limited to the following:
    • Capacitate grantees on governance of their institutions, finance management and project management in partnership with the CBNRM Secretariat/Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) to effectively and efficiently implement impactful projects in line with the approved annual implementation plans.
    • Capacitate grantees on project monitoring and evaluation and lesson learnt documentation from implementation of projects in their landscapes.
    • Facilitate knowledge sharing lesson learning amongst SGP Grantees.
    • Strengthen the awareness of SGP amongst grantees and potential grantees.
    • Provide logistical support to the NSC and TAG to undertake monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of SGP supported projects through participatory M&E, identification and use of indicators and reporting in accordance with the GEF/SGP monitoring framework.
    • Facilitate participation of selected SGP Grantees to the National CBNRM Forum.
    • Strengthen communication and knowledge management of the projects through; events, printed knowledge products and documentaries for the purposes of sharing, informing and influencing policy reforms in Botswana.

Funding Information

• The ceiling SGP grant amount for the project under this call is Botswana Pula amount equivalent to USD 50,000.00.
• The proposed project is expected to run for a period of 1 year from the date of signing of the Agreement by both parties.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Undertake consultations with local authorities, TACs and other relevant stakeholders in selected landscapes for consensus building, cooperation and partnership on SGP supported projects.
• In partnership with the GEF/SGP, organise and facilitate participation of NSC and TAG Members to atleast one monitoring and evaluation visit to SGP supported projects.
• Develop a training manual and facilitate training on governance, finance management and project management in partnership with the TACs for project governing boards at the landscapes, with the primary role of providing overall guidance and direction to the projects monitoring and evaluation as per their approved Annual Work Plans (AWPs).
• Train the grantees on Participatory M&E, and documenting lessons learnt and communicating, knowledge management, two-day long trainings within each of the landscape. With the support of GEF/SGP, to creatively organize and facilitate these training workshops through participatory and interactive techniques at landscape levels.
• Support participation of selected SGP Grantees to the National CBNRM Forum.
• Organise one inter-community knowledge sharing meetings with stakeholders coupled with project site visit to facilitate knowledge sharing and enhance dialogues amongst grantees and other key stakeholders.
• Produce the following knowledge management products:
  • Newspaper published articles of funded projects.
  • Website articles.
  • Report on inter community knowledge sharing and lessons learnt with recommendations.

Expected Deliverables 

• The expected deliverables of the capacity development project to be implemented in partnership with the Country Programme team includes:
  • Inception report outlining the methodology for executing activities related to dialogue workshops, development of guidance materials, including but not limited to; training, monitoring, publicity and/or promotional materials.
  • Report on the lessons learnt by Grantees and recommendations.
  • Quarterly (4) reports detailing implementation progress (narrative and financial) on capacity development, monitoring and mentorship of the GEF/SGP funded community led projects in the selected landscapes. Particularly the reports should clearly articulate the results achieved, knowledge and lessons learnt, key challenges as well as recommendations. The reports will be used to inform future SGP supported interventions.
  • A training manual on governance, finance management and project management and participatory M and E in consultation with TAG, NSC and TACs.
  • Brief Report on the participatory monitoring and evaluation visits of TAG and NSC members and recommendations.
  • Develop the following knowledge products for dissemination over the one-year duration of the contract:
    • At least two newspaper published articles of funded projects in one year.
    • At least four website articles on project activities published in the Organizations and UNDP website.
    • A report on inter-community knowledge sharing and lessons learnt with recommendations.

Required Skills and Experience 

• Proven experience in training communities and BQA accreditation or demonstration to have worked or going to work with an accredited Partner Organisation.
• Demonstrated understanding of the GEF focal areas of biodiversity management, land degradation, climate change, sustainable forest management, international waters, chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
• Proven experience in working with community-led initiatives as well as experience in community and stakeholder participatory processes.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in working with communities within and outside the selected landscapes.
• Excellent writing, presentation, communication and facilitation skills in English and Setswana languages.
• Demonstrated experience in convening multi-stakeholder groups for a common developmental goal.
• Proven experience in undertaking field work and research analysis on environment, social and economic sectors.

Eligibility Criteria

• The SGP only supports non-profit oriented institutions registered in Botswana such as: Civil Society Organizations (Non-Governmental Organizations and Community-Based Organizations), Academic and Research Institutions. Proposals submitted by the eligible entities should be as follows:
  • The CSO should be legally registered and assessed by a registered auditing firm to ensure capacity to receive, manage and report on disbursed funds.
  • The Academic and Research Institution that was established through an Act of parliament and assessed by a registered auditing firm to ensure capacity to receive, manage and report on disbursed funds.
  • A consortium of CSOs can apply as partners with one CSO being the lead entity and executor of the project; institutional arrangements should show clear role clarity between the entities.
  • A CSO partner may receive a normal/regular project grant while partnering in a Capacity Development Project as a member but not lead proponent.
• Institutions that are currently implementing GEF-SGP Supported projects are not eligible for funding during this call. An institution is only allowed to submit one proposal at a time.
• There should be evidence of consultation and inclusive participation of target beneficiary communities/TACs in the project proposal development.

Deadline: 10 June, 2024

For more information, visit OFFICIAL LINK & APPLY.