| Overview : Call for Proposals for Grants Grants to support VSLA and Waste Management Groups Deadline: 4th Noverber 2022 UNDP is implementing a five-year GEF funded project “Adapting to climate change induced coastal risk management in Sierra Leone” with the aim to strengthening the ability of coastal communities to systemically manage climate change risks and impacts on their physical infrastructure and economic livelihoods. The coastal zone of Sierra Leone is highly vulnerable to the increased frequency and severity of coastal erosion, flooding and storm surges which severely impact social wellbeing (health), livelihood security (and water resources) and major economic sectors such as fishing, tourism, water resources and agriculture. Coastal communities are already experiencing considerable repercussions of these impacts, notably on their livelihoods with reduced fishing productivity, ecosystem degradation and low farming outputs. The limited accessibility of climate-related data limits the ability of decision-makers to make informed planning and policy decisions for the coast (in particular marine and sea parameters databases such as wave height, wave period, wind speed and direction), and to take any clear strategic actions to remedy these negative effects. This lack of adequate knowledge is contributing towards undermining social and economic development, particularly under a changing climate. In addition, weak institutional regulatory capacity coupled with the absence of a national “coastal specific” community-based information system that focuses on supporting the management of climate-related risks continue to hamper long-term coastal planning, management and early warning activities. The GEF-funded project is designed to address these problems. The intended outcome of the project is to help the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to become more climate resilient while contributing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project focuses on three thematic components: Component 1: Generating sound scientific knowledge and access to information. Component 2: Climate information internalized into coastal development policy and plans; Component 3: Awareness and alternative, innovative activities to support adaptation in the coastal zone. Through these components, the project will work towards the removal of those policy and informational barriers that are preventing Sierra Leone, as a nation, to systematically manage coastal risks. This will contribute to the vulnerability reduction of both coastal communities and ecosystems and strengthen institutional capacity and adaptation planning. Based on the above, UNDP Coastal Risks Management project would like to initiate a financial intervention aimed at providing “Start-up” grant capital to Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and Waste Management groups through a suitable Nonprofit Organization (CSO/NGO/Academia/Foundation) within the targeted project locations. A total of 8 (30 participants per group) VSLA and 12 Waste Management groups from project locations will be supported with grant to improve their ability to become entrepreneurs and develop new climate resilient businesses. The main objective of this assignment is to identify a suitable Non-profit organization (CSO/NGO/Academia/Foundation) with operational presence and expertise to support VSLA and Waste Management groups with start-up grant capital for improvement on their local entrepreneurs and businesses for climate resilient enhancement The grants proposal required a fixed budget allocation as below: The total grant amount is up to a maximum $40,000 USD including direct support to the project beneficiaries and administrative overheads not more than 10% and direct cost not more than 2,000 USD. Organizations applying should indicate the specific added value they can deliver within the scope of the proposal. The grants are not able to fund provision of direct services or operating/running costs unrelated to proposed activities as outlined in this call. The grants must be executed within a period of not more than six weeks - Operational presence and establishment in target location for at least 3 years
- The Organization should demonstrate the ability to effectively manage grant funds, as well as the institutional capacity (equipment, facilities, competence and experience of personnel, and past record of managing such projects) necessary for project implementation.
- Comprehensiveness of the proposal – Work plan and budget: The proposal should clearly define its strategy for implementation detailing a step-by-step project plan and itemized budget, clear timelines for grant activity duration (up to maximum six weeks).
- Competence of the organization’s staff: Previous experience in related fields.
- The grant will be payable in local currency at the prevailing UN official exchange rate.
- Proposal that obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method”
Only one submission per organization is allowed. Once the application is complete and submitted, revised versions of proposal documents will not be accepted. The deadline for applications is 1:00pm on Friday, 4th November 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Grant Proposals Submissions are to made electronically in one file (pdf format) signed and scanned to the following email: procure.sl@undp.org. Hard copies may be submitted to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at UNDP Reception Area, Fourah Bay Close, Off Main Motor Road, Wilberforce, Freetown, Sierra Leone. THE PROPOSAL FORMAT AND ADDITIONAL DETAILS ATTACHED. | 
