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EPNK

Regional Grants Initiative

(RGI)

Call for Full Project Proposals

Guidance Note for Applicants

The RGI grants pool is funded by the European Union and administered by EPNK

The European Partnership for the Peaceful Settlement of the

Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh

This initiative is funded by the European Union

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CONTENT

1. Background and description of EPNK and RGI

1.1. Background of EPNK

1.1.1. EPNK’s main goals

1.1.2. EPNK activities

1.1.3. EPNK themes

1.2. Background of RGI

2. Eligibility criteria

2.1. Eligibility of applicants: who may apply?

2.1.1. Duration

2.1.2. Specific objectives

2.1.3. Location

2.1.4. Type of projects

2.1.5. Number of projects per applications

2.2. Eligibility of projects: what type of project will be supported?

2.3. Project budget

2.4. Application form

2.5. Where and when to send the application(s)

2.6. RGI time schedule

2.7. Further information

3. Evaluation and selection of application

3.1. Eligibility criteria

3.2. Evaluation criteria

4. List of Annexes

Annex A: Full Project Application Form

Annex B: Budget Breakdown

Annex C: Logical Framework

Annex D: Explanatory Notes to the Application Form and Budget

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1. Background and description of EPNK and RGI

1.1. Background of EPNK

The European Partnership for the Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (EPNK) is

a unique initiative that seeks to positively impact the conflict settlement process in Nagorno-Karabakh.

We work with local partners in the South Caucasus on a wide range of innovative peacebuilding

activities to contribute to lasting peace in the area.

Our partnership – a European civil society initiative – comprises five member organisations.:

Conciliation Resources (UK), Crisis Management Initiative (Finland), International Alert (lead agency,

UK), the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation (Sweden), and the London Information Network on Conflicts

and State Building (UK). The current partnership builds on previous work that our five member

organisations carried out in this field, individually or in groups.

Through this dynamic partnership, we seek to build mutual understanding of and confidence in the

settlement process – essential ingredients for any sustainable and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

1.1.1 EPNK’s main goals

Our main goal is to support the conflict settlement process around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

through a range of peacebuilding efforts. To achieve lasting peace, people who are affected by the

conflict in the region1 must believe in the peacebuilding process and in its legitimacy. EPNK strives to

increase confidence in the peacebuilding efforts by focusing on the following main goals:

Increasing people’s participation in the peacebuilding initiatives, especially marginalised groups;

Building confidence and trust between all sides of the conflict through increased contact between

people at different levels of society;

Encouraging fresh analysis and new ideas that challenge existing thinking on the conflict and that

seek to promote peace for the future;

Encouraging civil society to play an active part in the dialogue with policymakers at national and

international levels on how to transform the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a peaceful way.

1.1.2 EPNK activities

Building peace is a complex process, involving many obstacles and differing positions. We aim to bridge

these differences by encouraging dialogue between societies across the conflict divide. Those taking part

in the dialogue include a broad range of Armenian and Azerbaijani policymakers, analysts,

representatives of media and civil society – including those in and from Nagorno-Karabakh.

EPNK carries out our work through a wide variety of practical peacebuilding activities that reach people

in remote regions, as well as capital cities, for example:

Publishing news journals, reports, policy papers and studies on conflict-related issues;

Launching a news website focusing on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and settlement process;

Producing documentary films and public film screenings;

Conducting peacebuilding trainings and workshops;

Conducting comparative conflict studies, sharing findings and engaging wide audiences through

public debates;

Training journalists;

1 See also 2.2.3 ‘Location’ below for a definition of ‘areas in the South Caucasus that are affected by the Nagorno-

Karabakh conflict’ for the purpose of the RGI call for proposal.

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Hosting photography/arts exhibitions and events;

Holding public policy discussions and moderated discussions;

Carrying out advocacy and dialogue with governments and other stakeholders.

1.1.3 EPNK themes

EPNK’s work focuses on the following themes: Participation and inclusivity: EPNK works to include new and more diverse groups in the peacebuilding

process and to give a voice to marginalised groups. These groups include young people, women,

displaced people, civil society activists, experts, policymakers, journalists and filmmakers.

We also aim to support a peace process that is inclusive of diverse perspectives, analysis and ideas. We

seek to empower civil society actors to take part in the discussion on the conflict, leading to fresh

analysis and new ideas on the conflict, with peace as the main goal.

Training and capacity building: EPNK organises tailor-made trainings, retreats, public roundtables,

lectures and seminars in the region to strengthen the societies and to empower the groups with whom we

work. The main training and capacity building aspects of our work include:

Providing training on filmmaking and on the roles of media in conflict contexts to young Armenians

and Azeris;

Providing training on conflict sensitivity and analysis to journalists and editors, as well as

opportunities to learn from other conflict contexts and peace processes;

Providing training and assistance to young people and women to increase their understanding of

peacebuilding and to help them play a constructive role in their local communities.

Film and media: EPNK uses film and media in a number of unique ways to help build mutual

understanding between polarised Armenian and Azerbaijani societies. Our media projects aim to raise

awareness of issues around the conflicts, challenge stereotypes of the other side and facilitate discussion

between different groups. We engage leading journalists, filmmakers and opinion shapers to help us

interpret conflict-related events in a more nuanced fashion. Films reach our audiences through targeted

screenings with specific groups and through the internet.

Research and analysis: EPNK’s research and analysis aims to challenge the lack of fresh thinking and to

offer new ideas on and approaches to the peace process. Our evidence helps people to re-examine the

key aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a new and more positive way. It also instils greater

confidence and awareness in civil society actors to engage in dialogue with policymakers on conflict-

related issues.

Dialogue: EPNK sees dialogue as an essential part of building peace and therefore use it in much of our

work. Dialogue can help people from across the region to develop themselves and to promote change in

their societies by engaging with counterparts with vastly differing perspectives on the conflict.

1.2. Background of the RGI

The Regional Grants Initiative (RGI) was established as part of the second phase of the EPNK project as

a grants pool with the aim to involve new partners and respond to emerging needs and programmatic

gaps, and provide a flexible mechanism for funding new activities in the context of the Nagorno-

Karabakh conflict.

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For this purpose EPNK will launch a call for proposals for local projects to receive grants. This guidance

note for the call for RGI proposals will define who is able to apply, and what types of projects are

eligible for RGI funding.

2. Eligibility criteria for the RGI and how to apply

2.1. Eligibility of applicants: who may apply?

In order to be eligible, an applicant must fall into one of the following categories:

1. a local NGO registered in one of the areas in the South Caucasus affected by the Nagorno-

Karabakh conflict; or

2. an international NGO working with a local NGO, individual or group of individuals

originating from and currently based in one of the areas in the South Caucasus affected by

the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; or

3. an individual, or group of individuals, originating from and currently based in the areas

affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and working together with a NGO that is

registered in one of the areas in the South Caucasus affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh

conflict, or an international NGO.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity to:

be directly responsible for the preparation and management (administration and

implementation) of the Project, e.g. not acting as an intermediary.

to successfully manage the project and the budget*.

Please note, however, that interested applicants who fall into the following categories are not

eligible to apply:

partner organisations of EPNK-2;

any other groups or individuals (including participants) who are involved in EPNK-2 and

who receive funding from EPNK-2.

2.2. Eligibility of projects: what type of project will be supported?

2.2.1. Duration

The duration of a project may not exceed 10 months. The project must be implemented between

January 1, 2014 and October 31, 2014.

2.2.2 Specific objectives

The specific objectives for projects of the RGI (which are in line with the objectives of the

EPNK-2 project) are:

Increasing people’s participation in the peacebuilding initiatives, especially marginalised

groups;

Building confidence and trust between all sides of the conflict through increased contact

between people;

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Encouraging fresh analysis and new ideas that challenge existing thinking on the conflict

and that seek to promote peace for the future;

Encouraging civil society to play an active part in the dialogue with policymakers at national

and international levels on how to transform the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a peaceful

way.

Project proposals should describe how the proposed activities will address at least one, and

ideally more, of the afore-mentioned specific objectives.

2.2.3 Location

Areas in the South Caucasus that are affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, i.e. Armenia,

Azerbaijan and the non-recognised entity of Nagorno-Karabakh.

2.2.4 Requirements for project proposals

Project proposals should:

be in English

include clearly defined and feasible project objectives and results.

explain in detail the practical activities to be undertaken.

present activities that will do no harm.

include budgets that clearly itemise activities and the breakdown of proposed expenditure.

use non-discriminatory, non-sexist, non-xenophobic language and adhere to cosmopolitan

peacebuilding practices and open democratic values.

present projects that support participation, ownership and capacity development on a local

level, and that support direct contact between people across conflict divides will be

prioritised.

2.2.5 Number of projects per applicant

An applicant may submit more than one proposal and may be awarded more than one project

under this call for proposals.

2.3. Project budget:

The applicant should submit a project budget using the template in Annex B. Project expenses

should be realistic and cost-effective. The project budget should be specified in Euros. Only

“eligible costs” can be taken into account. These are detailed in Annex C. Note that the eligible

costs must be based on real costs, not lump sums (except for indirect costs).

Recommendations to approve a project are always subject to the condition that the checking

process which precedes the signing of the contract does not reveal problems requiring changes to

the budget.

2.4. Application form

Only completed proposals following the RGI templates will be considered. Completed proposals

will consist of:

Application form (Annex A)

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Budget (Annex B)

Logical framework (Annex C)

Prior to RGI Steering Committee approval of the proposal, applicants may be asked to submit

supporting documents that prove their eligibility and provide evidence of their financial and

technical knowledge and capacity.

Please note that only the application form, budget form and logframe will be appraised. No

supplementary annexes should be sent. It is therefore necessary that these documents contain

ALL relevant information concerning the project.

2.5. Where and how to send the applications

The deadline for applications for RGI project proposals is 15 November 2013.

An electronic copy of the application(s) (full application form, logframe and budget) must be

sent in English to the following email:

info@epnk.org

Note: the documents must be submitted in Word and Excel; please do not convert into PDF or any

other format.

2.6. Tentative time schedule

Below is the tentative planning for the RGI tendering procedure and implementation of RGI

projects:

15 October 2013 - Launch call for proposals

15 November 2013 – Deadline for project proposals

November-December - Evaluation and selection of projects

December 2013 – Approval of projects

December 2013-January 2014- Contracting of grant recipients

January/February 2014 – October/November 2014 – Implementation of projects (maximum 10

months)

November/December 2014 - January/February 2015 – Final reporting for projects

Please note that the above time schedule may be subject to change.

2.7. Further information

Questions regarding this call for proposals may be sent by email to:

Katharine Mote

RGI Grants Coordinator

International Alert

Email: info@epnk.org

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3. Evaluation and selection of applications

An evaluation of the quality of the proposals, including the proposed budget, and of the capacity of the applicant and his/her partners will be

carried out in accordance with the criteria set out in the Evaluation Grid below.

If the examination of the proposal reveals that the proposed project does not meet the eligibility criteria set by RGI, the proposal shall be rejected

on this sole basis.

Scoring:

The evaluation criteria are divided into sections and subsections. Each subsection will be given a score

between 1 and 5 in accordance with the following Guidance Note: 5 = very good; 4 = good; 3 = adequate; 2 = poor; 1 = very poor

or between 1 and 10 in according with the following Guidance Note: 10 = very good; 8 = good; 6 = adequate; 4 = poor; 2 = very poor

Note on section I.1. Relevance

If the average score is less than 21 points for section I.1. Relevance, the Evaluation Committee will reject the proposal.

Note on Section I.2 Methodology

If the average score is less than 33 points for Section I.2 Methodology, the Evaluation Committee will reject the proposal.

Note on Section I.3. Sustainability

If the average score is less than 5 points for Section I.3. Sustainability, the Evaluation Committee will reject the proposal.

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA GRID Eligibility of the applicant

YES NO

In order to be eligible, an applicant must fall into one of the following categories:

4. a local NGO registered in one of the areas in the South Caucasus affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; or

5. an international NGO working with a local NGO, individual or group of individuals originating from and currently based in

one of the areas in the South Caucasus affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; or

6. an individual, or group of individuals, originating from and currently based in the areas affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh

conflict, and working together with a NGO that is registered in one of the areas in the South Caucasus affected by the

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, or an international NGO.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity to:

be directly responsible for the preparation and management (administration and implementation) of the Project, e.g. not acting

as an intermediary.

to successfully manage the project and the budget*.

Please note, however, that interested applicants who fall into the following categories are not eligible to apply:

partner organisations of EPNK-2;

any other groups or individuals (including participants) who are involved in EPNK-2 and who receive funding from EPNK-2.

*) If the Applicant is an individual or group of individuals working with an NGO, then these criteria should apply also to the NGO partner.

Eligibility of the project

Duration

Does the duration of the project exceed 10 months?

Project purpose and strategy

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Does the project integrate the following fundamental strategies :

Projects must have a demonstrable impact on confidence building (initiates or enhances contact between people across conflict divides

or enhances an enabling environment within divided communities) taking into account the objectives of the RGI;

Projects must have clearly defined objectives;

Project implementation must anticipate adequate time and budget for implementation of the project;

Projects should support participation, ownership and capacity development on a local level;

Projects must do not harm.

Type of projects

Does the proposal demonstrate that the proposed activities address at least one, and ideally more, of the following key objectives of the

RGI? (points will be given according to the number of the activities addressed as well as how thoroughly they address these):

Increasing people’s participation in the peacebuilding initiatives, especially marginalised groups;

Building confidence and trust between all sides of the conflict through increased contact between people;

Encouraging fresh analysis and new ideas that challenge existing thinking on the conflict and that seek to promote peace for the future;

Encouraging civil society to play an active part in the dialogue with policymakers at national and international levels on how to

transform the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a peaceful way.

Does the proposal indicate clearly that the project activities will directly contribute to confidence building and/or conflict

prevention/transformation?

Is the proposal eligible?

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EVALUATION CRITERIA

SCORE

1. Relevance (minimum score required : 21/35)

/35

Max : 35

1.1 How relevant is the project to the objectives of the RGI? Are the project objectives in line with the objectives of

EPNK?)

10

1.2 How well are the projected results related to the objectives of the project? How well are confidence building gaps

and/or needs described?

10

1.3 How relevant is the project to the particular needs and constraints of the target group(s)? Is there complementarity

with other already existing initiatives?

10

1.4 Has the proposal clearly defined and strategically described how the stakeholders were chosen (final beneficiaries, target

groups)? Has the proposal clearly defined their needs and the actions required to address these needs appropriately?

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COMMENTS

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2. Methodology (minimum score required : 33/55)

/55

Max : 55

2.2 How practical and consistent are the proposed activities and how well does the proposal demonstrate how each of the

proposed activities will address the project objective(s)?

10

2.3 How coherent is the project design and planned project implementation? -Does the project reflect and address the problems identified? Does the design take into account external factors? -Is the results framework clear and feasible? ( consistency and logical flow of activities, inputs, outputs, outcomes) -Is the budget realistic and coherent with the project design? -Is the proposed team appropriate?

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2.4 Is the partners/associates’ level of involvement, participation and local capacity building in the project satisfactory?

10

2.5 How well does the project demonstrate that it will address conflict transformation/confidence building as described in the

project objectives?

5

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2.6 Is there a satisfactory evaluation and reporting system planned? Does the proposal contain appropriate performance

indicators in the logframe?

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COMMENTS

3. Sustainability (minimum score required : 5/10)

/10

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3.1 How likely is the project to have a tangible impact on its target groups? How likely is the proposal to have multiplier effects? (including scope for replication and extension of the outcome of the

project and dissemination of information.); Does the project foresee an appropriate exit strategy?

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3.2 To what extent will the expected results of the proposed project have impact and be sustainable: - financially (how will the activities be financed after the funding ends?) - institutionally (will structures allowing the activities to continue be in place at the end of the action? Will there be local

“ownership” of the results of the action?) - at policy level (where applicable) (what will be the structural impact of the project— e.g. will it lead to improved

legislation, codes of conduct, methods, etc.?)

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4. Miscellaneous Comments

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5. List of Annexes

5. Total score and recommendations

Score

Evaluation Criteria

I.1 Relevance / 35 I.2 Methodology / 55 I.3 Sustainability / 10

TOTAL :

/ 100

Recommendation:

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Annex A: Full Project Application Form

Annex B: Budget Breakdown

Annex C: Logical Framework

Annex D: Explanatory Notes to the Application Form and Budget