Deadline: 10-May-23
The UNDP/GEF-SGP announces the Call for Concept Papers to award small grants of up to US$ 50,000 to Vietnamese non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to undertake a systems analysis approach to the development and implementation of solutions that address the following areas:
- Water security and resource management: access to clean water and sanitation is and economic enabler and is vital to building climate resilience and recovery from COVID-19. However, many communities across the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions still lack basic water access. Climate change, which directly impacts the water cycle, acts as a multiplier of the risks of water scarcity by increasing the variability and unpredictability of water resources.
- Thus, sustainably managing water resources is a critical aspect of the CBA programme. Rainwater harvesting, nature-based solutions (NBS) such as watershed rehabilitation and enhancements to water storage capacities will be employed by the CBA programme to improve both domestic and agricultural water supply and access.
- Oceans and coastal zone management: NBS such as mangrove restoration and rehabilitation of coastal vegetation are commonly used to adapt to these challenges and will be employed in this new phase. Using a landscape approach, initiatives will also focus on managing saltwater intrusion, improving coastal freshwater supplies, sustainable fisheries and marine conservation, and participatory mapping exercises to identify coastal assets and resources.
- The CBA programme will also focus on the blue economy and building resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems to the impacts of climate change. Special Management Areas (SMA), governed by local traditional institutions through civil society organizations, continue to be the most effective units of management for coastal areas and are increasingly being recognized and mainstreamed by national governments. This CBA programme will enhance effectiveness and sustainability of these local governance processes and will work towards strengthening the structures and institutions associated with marine protected areas and SMAs. The efforts of this programme will be aligned with the national and regional actions being implemented by governments and regional bodies.
- Agriculture, fisheries and food security: Droughts, flooding, shifting seasons and increased variability in rainfall and temperature patterns continue to affect agricultural production across the globe. These impacts are even more severe for smallholder farmers. For rural farming communities this can lead to food insecurity, poverty, poor health, nutrition and wellbeing. To cope with these challenges CBA projects will invest in sustainable agro-ecological production techniques to boost productivity and income generation, improve ecosystem services, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, where possible.
- Land degradation: CBA projects will focus on nature-based solutions (NBS), agro-ecology and sustainable land management practices to improve ecosystem services and address some of the drivers of land degradation and other environment challenges at the community level.
- Disaster risk reduction (DRR): DRR takes a systematic approach to adapting to climate change induced hazards with a focus on preventing these hazards from evolving into full-fledged disasters. It includes a wide range of adaptation activities, such as risk and vulnerability assessments, utilizing early warning systems, improving multi-sectoral communication and collaboration, and education and awareness. DRR, disaster management and preparedness will be a cross-cutting theme in this new CBA phase.
Funding Information
- The project proponent may request for a grant up to 50,000 USD in 24 months.
Eligible Grantee: Vietnamese non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs)
Geographical priorities: Mekong delta and South Central Coast regions
Criteria
- The proponent develops project concept paper (in Vietnamese) in accordance with UNDP/GEF SGP format and submits this to the National Coordinator (NC).
- The NC screens and considers the concept paper according to GEF criteria and then submits it to the National Steering Committee (NSC)for further approval.
- The proposing organization whose concept paper cleared by UNDP/GEF SGP submit a grant application in case of need. UNDP/GEF SGP provides a small grant for project design, stakeholder consultation and surveys.
- The proposing organization whose proposal cleared by UNDP/GEF SGP submit a Project proposal.
- The proposing organization submit the project proposal to the NC:
- The project proposal is either cleared by the NC and submitted to the NSC
- It can be returned to the proposing organization with the NC’s comments for adjustment.
- Proposals cleared by the NC are submitted to the NSC:
- It might be accepted or rejected by the NSC
- The NSC might return the proposal with a request for further work or additional sponsor
- Proposals cleared by the NSC are submitted to UNDP Vietnam for final clearance
Selection Criteria
- Suitable with UNDP/GEF SGP’s strategic focal areas
- focal and geographic focus
- objectives (capacity development, demonstration or replication strategies/community technique and knowledge management (lessons learned documentation/dissemination)
- Reasonable, creative, science – based, feasible and community approach. Projects should include strong social inclusion (gender equality and women’s empowerment, indigenous peoples, youth, and or persons with disabilities).
- Sustainability, mainstreaming, upscaling/replication
- Organization’s capability
- Human resource and management experience
- Capacity and technical experience of the organization/consulting experts
- The involvement of communities and local stakeholders
- Linkages/mainstreaming with related projects/programs.
- Budget
- Compatible
- Reasonable
- Cofinancing
For more information, visit United Nations Development Program (UNDP).