Guidelines for the NEPAD Climate Change Fund

Transcription

1 Guidelines for the NEPAD Climate Change Fund 1

2 I. Introduction The NEPAD Climate Change Fund was established in 2014 by the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency with support from the Government of Germany. The Fund offers technical and financial assistance to AU member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and institutions that meet the eligibility criteria and the clearly defined targeted areas of support of the fund. The target areas are: 1. Adaptation of agriculture to climate change 2. Biodiversity 3. Access and benefit sharing 4. Development and implementation support to National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) 5. Mainstreaming of climate change into the National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) Its objective is: To focus on knowledge and capacity development for better planning, coordination, and implementation of climate change activities. Promotion of innovative actions and strategic projects/interventions that serve as models for building sustainable livelihoods, environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation; The expected results of the fund include but are not limited to: Awareness creation and capacity building for African institutions and stakeholders in African Union (AU) Member States Development of national, provincial and municipal policies and plans that support efforts at strengthening adaptation and resilience to the effects of climate change and promoting environmental sustainability Mainstreaming of climate change into National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) at both national and regional levels Knowledge generation on innovative measures and interventions aimed at supporting best practices, development of tool kits in addressing the adverse effects of climate change The Fund is aligned with AU priority initiatives such as the NEPAD Environment Action Plan and the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). Overall, the fund aims at strengthening the resilience of African countries to climate change by building national, sub-regional and continental capacity. The current fund will run for an initial period of two years ( ). II. Focus Area of fund Only Targeted Call for Proposals will be made by the Fund as the focus is on activities that have national, regional and sub-regional impacts. Supported activities under the fund should be associated with the following categories: Focus Area 1: Training, Capacity Development and Awareness Creation Training and capacity building for technical persons and stakeholders involved in climate smart agriculture, climate change and biodiversity conservation in national and regional 2

3 institutions, particularly in the application of measures and strategies for addressing climate change adaptation. Awareness creation and provision of education and information for decision-makers in government, private or public institutions. Support interventions using already-proven instruments and measures at regional and national level, disseminating of lessons learned and good practices Focus Area 2: Policy advice and technical support Support mainstreaming of climate change into national policies particularly in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs). Development of policies, strategies and guidelines for improving frameworks in line with international standards and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) such as the UNFCCC, UNCCD and CBD conventions. III. Eligible Applicants and Institutions Institutions and Organizations working specifically in the target areas of the Fund will be considered. Priority will be given to African: IV. Government institutions (e.g. Ministries of environment, agriculture, municipalities etc) Regional Economic Communities Regional and national coalitions of civil society organisations involved in the target areas of the Fund Fund Application Modes The Fund offers two different application modes: Any grant awarded under the NEPAD Climate Change Fund shall fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts. a. Fast Access Mode (up to EUR 100,000): The Fund provides funding through the Fast Access Mode for human resource development activities such as workshops, training and capacity building. This mode also helps to pay for the commissioning of national and international experts through consultancy to provide advisory and technical services, e.g. on national biodiversity accounting, strategies, policies, data collection, research, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), preparation of policy briefs, short term training and capacity building or other relevant activities. An activity under the fast access mode is expected to be undertaken within 1-3 months. b. Medium Term Mode (up to EUR 200,000): The NEPAD Climate change Fund also provides support to activities that have medium term focus. Possible activities to be considered under this mode include commissioning an expert team for a series of training activities within member states of a regional economic community or a set of comprehensive activities aimed at strengthening the role of civil society or media organizations in climate change and environmental issues. The mode will also provide support to studies and research that transcend many countries within Africa. Activities that fall under this category should be undertaken between 3-6 months. V. Matching Fund Co-funding is required from all eligible organizations/institutions that apply for funding from the fund. Contributions may be in the form of cash or/and in-kind. Co-funding for will be as follows: For projects under 100,000 euros, a contribution of 5% of the total budget is required For projects between 101,000 and 200,000 a contribution of 10% of the total budget is required. 3

4 For exceptional projects approved above 200,000 a contribution of 12% of the total budget will be required. VI. Procedure of application 1. Call for Proposals The Call for proposals involves an official publication of the availability of grants in key electronic and print media including the website of the NEPAD Agency. The publication states, among others, the purpose of the grant, the eligibility criteria and where application forms for project description and budgeting can be obtained. The general outline for elaborating the concept/idea and the deadline for submission of the application will also be indicated in the Call. After the deadline, all proposals received are evaluated and decisions made. 2. Formulation of project proposals a) All project proposals must be submitted using Form A Grant Application Form. This Grant Application Form must be endorsed by the Head of Institution or his/her accredited representative. All proposals must be submitted in English or French. b) Projects should, in general, be implemented in a time-frame not exceeding 6 months. The maximum duration might, however, vary under the individual call for project proposals, depending on the budget available and the restrictions set by the respective sources of funds. 3. Submission of project proposals Project proposals can be submitted by any national, regional institution or group meeting the eligible criteria under the clearly defined areas of support of the fund. Formal submission of duly signed proposals must be made by the deadline indicated in the call for project proposals and submitted in soft and hard copies to: VII. nepadclimatefund@nepad.org or Postal Address: Private Bag 218 Halfway House Midrand 1685, Gauteng, Johannesburg, South Africa Evaluation and approval of project proposals The NEPAD Agency will make a technical and financial feasibility assessment of all proposals received. During this process, the Agency may invite views, as appropriate, from the members of the Technical Committee. The Agency will submit its recommendations for funding to the Steering Committee members who will be requested to approve the allocation of funding to the projects pre-selected by the NEPAD Agency. VIII. Transfer of funds The NEPAD Agency prepares the Grant Funding Agreement with the respective organisation or agency receiving the project funding. Upon signature of the Funding Agreement by both parties, the NEPAD Agency will disburse an initial payment of 80%. The last instalment, amounting to 20% of the funds respectively, will be paid upon receipt of an acceptable Final Report. IX. Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation Each recipient organisation or agency is required to provide a final technical and financial report. Additionally, projects with duration of more than 3 months will be required to submit a 4

5 mid-term progress report. The Final Report should be submitted not later than a month after completion of the project. The deadlines for submission of both reports will be specified in the Funding Agreement. Both Progress and Final Reports must be submitted with the endorsement of the head of institution or his accredited representative. The Final Report should include a statement of expenditure with accompanying invoices for the funds provided and copies of any materials/publications produced under the project. NEPAD Agency will provide a compilation of all projects on the basis of the Final Reports received from the beneficiaries. X. Terms of Funding Agreement to be concluded with organisations or agencies receiving assistance In the Funding Agreement which will be concluded between the NEPAD Agency and the organisation or agency that will be granted financial assistance, the following will be specified: a) the extent and purpose of the financial assistance granted; b) the obligations of the recipient organisation or agency towards the implementation of the project; c) the obligation of the recipient to display the NEPAD Agency logo on all correspondence or material printed in connection with meetings or activities financed under the project (such as invitations, announcements, agendas, reports, etc.) and to refer to the activity as being sponsored by NEPAD Agency; d) the obligation of the recipient to reimburse to the NEPAD Agency any portion of cash advance remaining unspent or uncommitted on completion of the activities of the Funding Agreement within one month of presentation of the expenditures report. Any controversy of claim arising out of, or in accordance with the Funding Agreement or breach thereof, shall, unless it is settled by direct negotiation, be settled in accordance with International Law. Any arbitration award rendered as a result of such arbitration as the final adjudication of any such controversy or claim is binding for both parties. XI. Service Providers The use of an implementing partner or service provider (Consultancy) may be utilized in some cases where the applicant does not have the needed technical and staffing capacity to carry out the activity. The implementing partners or service providers will be suggested by the applicant and pre-selected by the Steering Committee of the fund using, among others, the following general eligibility criteria: Evidence of being a legally registered entity or recognized governmental or regional institution Demonstrable evidence of possessing technical expertise and delivery methodology in an intervention area relevant to the Fund ((environment, climate change, biodiversity, ABS etc.) Prior experience in effective implementation and management of similar projects XII. Eligible costs a. The eligible direct costs for the project are those costs which are identifiable as specific costs directly linked to the performance of the project and which can therefore be allocated to it directly. The cost of consultants assigned on the project to provide specific services on the indicated activities Travel and subsistence costs of the above-mentioned consultants, where such travel are relevant for the execution of the project activities Cost of conference, seminars, workshops and other facilities emanating from the project Cost of research and dissemination of information, printing etc. Direct travel expenses in relation to development and dissemination or training delivery 5

6 b. These costs need to be fully included in the budget and proof of proper documentation.. The costs have to be in conformity with the following procedures: Air travel: Is allowed only in economy class and on the most cost effective or direct route. Per Diem: A maximum per diem according to the standards of the grantee organization can be provided. The per diem would cover all recurring subsistence costs including accommodation, food, beverages etc. Costs covered by a third party (eg. in case of an invitation by an international organization) need to be subtracted from the per diem allocated. Local Transportation: The local applicable average cost for local transportation (taxi, bus, coach etc.) is allowed. The following costs are not eligible for funding: Purchase of land and cars Taxes, including VAT Debts and provisions for losses Transport of goods, insurance 6