Conservation Agreement Private Partnership Platform
Call for proposals for site-based initiatives
1. Program overview
The Conservation Agreement Private Partnership Platform (CAPPP) is a five-year initiative (2014 – 2019) financed by the GEF’s Earth Fund through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as Implementing Agency, and executed by the Conservation Stewards Program (CSP) at Conservation International (CI). The purpose of GEF Earth Fund platforms is to catalyze private sector participation in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service maintenance. To do so, the CAPPP will fund the use of conservation agreements to establish effective partnerships between private sector actors and local communities or resource users who explicitly agree to achieve biodiversity conservation, reduce land/sea degradation, support climate regulation efforts, and promote sustainable natural resource management. The CAPPP will support site-based initiatives that engage the private sector in one or more of the three following ways:
i. Shape product-sourcing relationships between private sector companies and communities (for example, between coffee-farming communities and international coffee companies);
ii. Develop conservation partnerships that support compliance with corporate social and environmental responsibility commitments (for example when a mining company invests in a biodiversity offset by supporting community-based conservation); and,
iii. Build capacity of small- and medium-sized enterprises to promote community participation in product/service supply chains that benefit conservation and economic development (for example by investing in a community-based ecotourism venture).
The CAPPP goal is to protect at least 1 million hectares of high biodiversity areas, by supporting conservation agreements with at least 30 communities around the world and engaging at least 15 private sector partners. A principal metric of private sector engagement will be co-financing generated through one of the three forms of engagement described above.
2. Grantee eligibility criteria
Eligible grantees will include local, national and international NGOs interested in using conservation agreements to catalyze private sector participation in community-based conservation. These organizations will implement conservation agreements with local communities and land owners who can secure the conservation of high biodiversity areas or areas providing ecosystem services.
Successful applications will include clear and compelling justification for how conservation agreements will support institutional strategy and help ensure sustainability of results beyond the Platform’s implementation period.
Eligible partners must have a sound and tested financial and administrative system that will be assessed through the application process. In accordance with CI procedures, applicants must describe in detail their existing administrative and financial structures and how these structures will support effective and efficient implementation.
3. Funding
CAPPP grants will be for up to 3 years and up to $250,000 (larger grants may be considered but will be subject to additional review and approval). Funding will support conservation agreements currently under implementation that have developed or are developing a relationship with the private sector. The implementation process of the conservation agreements should follow the steps and the requirements described in the Conservation Agreement Field Guide for Implementers (available at www.conservation.org/csp).
4. Application process
To apply for a CAPPP grant for a site-based initiative, NGOs must submit the following documents:
· CAPPP Project proposal (annex 1), reflecting model described in Conservation Agreement Field Guide for Implementers
· Detailed budget (annex 2) and accompanying budget narrative
· Work plan (annex 3 template, separate excel sheet on www.conservation.org/csp). All work plans should describe the creation of long-term funding and long-term management plans.
· Updated feasibility assessment (a review of most recent feasibility assessment document to update with respect to changes that may have taken place and revisit conclusions)
· Letter of support from communities involved in the conservation agreements, or other form of documenting Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
· Copy of conservation agreements under implementation, in the case of sites with existing conservation agreements
5. Project selection criteria
To be selected, a project must meet the following criteria:
Proposal / Maximum scoreThe project proposes valuable and measurable conservation outcomes / 10
There is a local resource owner or user who is interested in participating in the initiatives / 10
There is a private sector partner identified or already working with the resource owner or user / 20
There are clear long-term management and financial strategies in place / 20
CAPPP funding will be important to consolidate the project / 10
The budget required is adequate for the proposed activities / 10
The NGO has experience implementing conservation agreements / 10
The project offers a valuable learning experience / 10
Total / 100
6. Selection process
The proposal will be reviewed by the CSP team, who will send comments within 14 days after receiving the proposal. Based on the comments the grantee will send a revised proposal to be assessed by CSP using the CAPPP criteria. In some cases, additional evaluations may be required. If the proposal is declined, CSP team will notify the applicant, explaining the rationale. If it is approved, CSP will ask the grantee to complete the financial questionnaire for grant recipients and will prepare the grant agreement. Preparation of the grant agreement can be expected to take at least 3 weeks.
7. Proposal submission
Proposals and all accompanying documentation must be sent by email to .
CAPPP Proposal Annex 1: PROPOSAL FORM
Project Title:Organization:
Organization Information
Organization InformationOrganization Legal Name
Organization short name or acronym if any
Mailing Address
Physical Address (if different from above)
Country
Telephone
Fax
Website address if any
E-mail Address – Separate multiple addresses with semicolons
Organization type / Local _____
Local organizations should be legally registered in the country of the proposed project and have an independent governing structure / International _____
Project description
Project titleProject Location – please include country, province/state, site, etc. If possible, include a map.
Proposed grant start date (MM/YY)
Proposed grant end date (MM/YY)
Project Duration – approximate time period for the overall project, indicating when activities commenced if already ongoing, and time horizon for activities beyond proposed grant end date.
Project Rationale - Describe the conservation need (key threats and/or important opportunities) your project aims to address and what would happen if this project is not implemented (max. 250 words)
Brief description of the proposed conservation agreement (max. 250 words)
Funding request amount – Enter the amount of funds (in US$) requested for this project
Total project budget – Enter the total budget for this project from all funding sources
Counterpart funding – Identify the amounts and sources of any other funding already secured, and other prospective funding, for this project (this will be a reporting requirement)
In-kind contributions – Enter the amount of in-kind contributions from your organization and from counterparts to be directed to this project and explain how these have been calculated
(this will be a reporting requirement)
Project team
Project lead contact – Provide the name and contact information for the person responsible for correspondence regarding this projectOrganization Chief Executive- Provide the name and contact information for the chief executive or person who is authorized to sign contracts on behalf of your organization.
History and Mission Statement – Provide a brief description of your organization’s history and mission, including experience relevant to the proposed project.
Year Organization Established
Total Permanent Staff
Key Project Staff - Include titles, roles and responsibilities, and percentage of time dedicated to project.
Key Project Partners – List any other organizations, private sector partners, and agencies involved in the project and briefly describe their roles
Implementing your conservation agreement
Project Approach - Describe the proposed strategy and actions of your project to implement the proposed conservation agreement. Include the expected results of the strategy and the expected results of the agreement implemented, particularly in relation to the threats and opportunities identified in the project rationale. Also include any potential risks you face in implementing this plan (max. 1,000 words).
Eligibility Questions
The CAPPP funds may not be used to directly fund government agency activities. In addition funds may not be used for the purchase of land, involuntary resettlement of people, or the alteration of any physical cultural property. If your proposed project involves any of these, the CAPPP is not in a position to fund your proposal. Where possible, you may revise your strategy to avoid these elements.
Do you represent, or is your organization controlled by, a government agency? / Yes ______/ No ______Do you plan to use any of the potential project funds to purchase land? / Yes ______/ No ______
Does the project involve the removal or alteration of any physical cultural property (includes movable or immovable objects, sites, structures, and natural features and landscapes that have archeological, paleontological, historical, architectural, religious, aesthetic, or other cultural significance)? / Yes ______/ No ______
Does the project involve the relocation of people or any other form of involuntary resettlement? / Yes ______/ No ______
Safeguard Policy Aspects
If the answer to one or more of the following questions is marked Yes, please summarize the potential impacts and how these might be avoided or mitigated. CAPPP may ask applicants for additional information and project documentation if the project has the potential to trigger Safeguard Policies.
Environmental assessment:Will the project have adverse impacts on the environment? If you answer yes, please provide additional information and a description of mitigating measures you will take.
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Natural habitats and forests:
Will the project cause or facilitate any significant loss or degradation of forests or other natural habitats? If you answer yes, please provide additional information and a description of mitigating measures you will take.
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Involuntary restrictions of access to resources:
Will the project introduce or strengthen involuntary restrictions of access to resources? If you answer yes, please provide additional information and a description of mitigating measures you will take.
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Indigenous peoples:
Does the project plan to work in lands or territories traditionally owned, customarily used, or occupied by indigenous peoples? If you answer yes, please provide a brief description of planned activities in these lands or territories, any adverse impacts foreseen on these indigenous peoples an d any mitigating measures you will take.
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Pest management:
Will the project involve use of herbicides, pesticides, insecticides or any other poison for the removal of invasive species? If you answer yes, please provide the name of the pesticide, herbicide, insecticide or poison you intend to use.
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Additional Information
Stakeholder Participation - Describe stakeholders important to your project and how you have involved them in your planning and implementation.
Private Sector Participation - Describe private sector actors important to your project and how they will be involved in the project financing and/or implementation. Proposals will be strengthened when accompanied by letters of support/commitment from private sector partners.
External Assumptions - Describe any important external factors that may affect your project during implementation and how you will mitigate these potential risks.
Long-term Sustainability/Replicability – Describe how the conservation agreement will continue or be replicated beyond the initial project. List the potential sources of funding that you identified during the feasibility analysis for financial sustainability.
Social Context – Describe the broad socio-economic context of, and local communities living in, the area of the proposed project. Describe how the project will work in this context and with the local communities, if relevant.
Additional Information – Please provide any additional information relevant to CAPPP’s evaluation of your project.
CAPPP Proposal Annex 2: SUMMARY BUDGET
Category / Amount (in US$)Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Salaries
Benefits
Professional services
Rent and Storage
Telecommunications
Postage and Delivery
Supplies
Furniture and Equipment
Maintenance
Travel
Meetings & Events
Miscellaneous
Sub-Grants
Subtotal
Indirect cost (cannot exceed 10% of subtotal)[1]
Total Budget Requested from CAPPP
Co-financing from other sources (cash)
Co-financing from other sources (in kind)
GRAND TOTAL
Budget Detail[2]
Salaries/Benefits / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / TotalFull time employee #1
Part time employee #1
Comments
Professional Services / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Consultants
Audit fees
Legal Services
Other Professional Services
Printing Services
Comments
Rent and Storage / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Rent
Storage
Comments
Telecommunications / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Voice
Data
Comments
Supplies / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Office Supplies
Field Supplies
Software
Books and Subscriptions
Hardware/Computer Supplies
Comments
Furniture and Equipment / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Furniture and Equipment <$5,000
Furniture and Equipment >$5,000
Materials
Infrastructure
Vehicles
Comments
Maintenance / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Furniture and Equipment Maintenance
Vehicle Maintenance
Software Maintenance
Comments
Travel / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Lodging, meals and incidentals
Travel insurance
Airfare
Local Transportation
Fuel
Comments
Meetings and Special Events / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Meetings and Special Events
Training
Comments
Miscellaneous / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Miscellaneous
Liability insurance
Taxes and licenses
Comments
Subgrants / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Subgrant #1
Subgrant #2
Comments
Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Total
Subtotal
Indirect Cost (not to exceed 10%)
TOTAL
Comments
CAPPP Proposal Annex: BUDGET NARRATIVE
Instructions: Please use this budget narrative template to provide justification for proposed project costs and how project costs are calculated. Please specify if the estimates are based on government-provided rates, grantee knowledge of the local market and/or historical payment records, quotes received from vendors, etc. Please clearly indicate the total for each category in the header ($Total).
1. COST INCREASE ASSUMPTIONS
Provide explanation for any periodic cost increases applied to expenses throughout the budget, including but not limited to salary merit increases and inflation rates.
Example: