British Embassy Kyiv: FCDO International Programme Open Futures & Climate Diplomacy Fund 2020-2021

Deadline: 10-Nov-20

The British Embassy Kyiv invites proposals for project work from 1 January 2021 to 15 March 2021, working through civil society organisations alongside government bodies in support of – internationally recognised universal human rights and democratic participation, including gender equality, and improved respect for minority and vulnerable groups; and work to tackle climate change in Ukraine.

Focus Areas

Human Rights

• Outcomes:
  • Effective development and implementation of Ukraine’s National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan increases respect for equality and non-discrimination for all members of Ukrainian society, in particular, minority groups. Greater promotion of minority leadership and equal influence in decision making at the local, national and international level that informs country reforms and development of the reintegration of Crimea and non-government-controlled areas (NGCAs) in Eastern Ukraine
  • Russia’s human rights abuses in Crimea and NGCAs in Eastern Ukraine are documented and countered, and victims supported
• Indicators of success:
  • Greater inclusion and protection of marginalised and vulnerable groups such as the Roma community, LGBT people and people with disabilities, including by changing public perceptions and working with authorities and businesses to ensure inclusive treatment and representation
  • Human rights defenders, journalists and victims of human rights abuses in Crimea and NGCAs in Eastern Ukraine effectively documented and highlight the human rights situation; human rights monitoring mechanisms in illegally annexed Crimea and NGCAs strengthened
  • The Ukrainian government develops and implements its new National Action Plan on Human Rights, through access to experts and supporting civil society to advocate for policies which best meet the needs of minority and vulnerable groups
  • The Ukrainian government improves and protects the rights of Crimean residents, including through effective development and implementation of its new strategy towards Crimea and improvement of services for Crimean residents. Crimean civil society organisations, residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs), in particular, Crimean Tatars, equipped with greater knowledge of their rights and ability to advocate for policies which best meet the needs of minority and vulnerable groups

Climate Change

• Outcome:
  • Ukraine increases climate change ambition and action ahead of COP26 (the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1 to 12 November 2021, under the UK’s presidency)
• Indicators:
  • Increased awareness of the Ukrainian government of the threat posed by climate change, the importance of taking urgent climate action to mitigate future risks, and its wider economical and security benefits
  • Increased understanding of Ukrainian local decision makers (cities and regions) about the climate change threats and benefits of climate action leading to ambitious climate commitments at the local level
  • Ukrainian public and private sector (with a particular focus on business and youth) equipped with greater understanding of the threat posed by climate change and ability to advocate for urgent climate action to mitigate future risks

Funding Information

• The maximum indicative funding is £10,000 for projects on Human Rights and £8,000 for projects on Climate Change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify the change that will be brought about. They may also build on projects by other organisations, complementing their efforts.
• All bids should make clear how they complement existing activities supported by other donors and international partners, and how work in the regions complements national level activity.
• Administrative costs (office rent, project management and book-keeper rates, utilities, communications, stationery, bank charges etc) must not exceed 8% of the total project budget. Unable to fund academic courses or research, English language courses, the purchase of IT or other equipment.
• Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:
  • Fit to programme objectives – the extent to which the proposal addresses the issues
  • Quality of project – how well-defined and relevant the outcome is and how outputs will deliver this change
  • Value for money – the value of the expected project outcomes, the level of funding requested and institutional contribution
  • Previous experience – evidence of the project team’s understanding the issue and of its regional activities, ability to manage and deliver a successful project, through work done to date in the area or in related fields
  • Gender-sensitive approach – partners should identify the gender implications of the theme they are addressing, whether it will impact differently on men and women and how this is taken into account in the proposal.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Fit to programme objectives – the extent to which the proposal addresses the issues
• Quality of project – how well-defined and relevant the outcome is and how outputs will deliver this change
• Value for money – the value of the expected project outcomes, the level of funding requested and institutional contribution
• Previous experience – evidence of the project team’s understanding the issue and of its regional activities, ability to manage and deliver a successful project, through work done to date in the area or in related fields
• Gender-sensitive approach – partners should identify the gender implications of the theme they are addressing, whether it will impact differently on men and women and how this is taken into account in the proposal. The proposals will be assessed by a mixed-gender panel

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/call-for-proposals-for-project-work-in-ukraine-under-fcdo-international-programme-open-futures-and-climate-diplomacy-fund-2020-2021