Sustainable Water Fund (FDW) subsidy

FDW17Project Proposal

Annex 1 to the application

Sustainable Water Fund

Through the Sustainable Water Fund Policy Framework, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (hereafter RVO.nl) aim to support Public Private Partnerships (PPP) that contribute to inclusive green growth by improving water security and water safety in developing countries. Hereafter, the Sustainable Water Fund is referred to as ‘FDW’ denoting the Dutch translation ‘Fonds Duurzaam Water’.

Compared to earlier calls, the third call of FDWhas a more programme-based approach, as outlined in the FDW policy framework. An important part of the FDW programme is the FDW-project subsidy. The third call of FDW is devided into 2 rounds, the FDW16 and FDW17 tenders.

Applications for the second round (FDW17) need to be sumitted before February 5th, 2018, 15:00 CET. A FDW17 application consist of the documents listed below.

Mandatory documents:

  • Application form
  • Partner forms for all project partners
  • Annex 1 FDW17Project proposal
  • Annex 2 Logframes and planning
  • Annex 3 Project budget tool
  • Annex 4 Financial sustainability and revenue model
  • Annex 5 Financial statements project partnes
  • Annex 6 Monitoring and Evaluation sheets
  • Annex 7 Cooperation agreement

Optional annexes

  • Annex 8a Project problem tree
  • Annex 8b Project objectives tree

Appraisal of the application will be based on all application documents as submitted before the application deadline; therefore it is of utmost importance that also the project proposal presents the correct and complete information on the FDW project.

This document (Annex 1, project proposal) provides the format for the project proposal and is a key part of the subsidy application. A overview of it’s content is given on de next page:

Table of contents project proposal

1. General project information

2. Introduction

2.1. Context analysis

2.2. Stakeholder analysis

2.3. problem analysis

3. Project purpose

4. Project strategy

4.1. Sustainability strategy

4.2. Gender strategy

4.3 Upscaling

5. Public Private Partnership

5.1. Need for a PPP

5.2. Composition partnership

5.3. Interest in project output and outcome

5.4. Added value of partners

5.5. PPP and project governance

6. Project implementation

6.1. Work package Inception

6.2. Work package 2 [Title]

6.3. Work package x [Title]

6.x. Work package Project requirements and closure

7. Financial

7.1. Project budget

7.2. Financing of the own contribution

8. Project assumptions and risks

8.1. Assumptions

8.2. Risk assessment and mitigation measures

9. Project monitoring and evaluation

Please note that, in order to be eligible for subsidy, the consortium needs to have a formal advice on the earlier submitted concept note for the project idea that has been developed into this project plan. The project plan details (e.g. partnership, budget, output/outcome) may differ from the concept note as long as the core of the original project idea holds.

Further information

More information on the Sustainable Water Fund Policy Framework can be found on the website of RVO.nl (

The application process and detailed information on the FDW-project subsidy can also be found at the RVO.nl website. It is strongly advised to read these documents first before entering the application process as they hold important information about the FDW-grand objectives and formal requirements.

Instructions

Please complete this entire formatand all required annexes to the FDW-project subsidy application.

This format is based on the Logical Framework Approach (LFA). General information on LFA can, for instance, be found here. More detailed information can, for instance, be found here.

Please present the information in a concise manner; the project plan should not exceed 35 pages, excluding the explanatory texts (in blue font). Explanatorytexts can be deleted after completion of the project plan.

Please provide references on important statements, arguments and figures.

1. General project information

  • Please complete the table below.
  • Note that the general project information as presented in the table below will be made publicly available by RVO.nl.

Project title:
Partnership / Organisation name / Type / Legally based in
Lead partner / [organisation] / Choose an item / Choosean item
Partner / [organisation] / Choose an item / Choosean item
Partner / [organisation] / Choose an item / Choosean item
Partner / [organisation] / Choose an item / Choosean item
Partner / [organisation] / Choose an item / Choosean item
Partner / [organisation] / Choose an item / Choosean item
Project location(s)1: / Choose country, [region(s)]
FDW theme2: / ☐ Sustainable access to clean drinking water and sanitation (including waste)
☐ Efficient water use, mainly in agriculture
☐ Improved river basin management and safe deltas
Secondary FDW theme(s)3 / ☐ Sustainable access to clean drinking water and sanitation (including waste)
☐ Efficient water use, mainly in agriculture
☐Improved river basin management and safe deltas
Project purpose /
  • ….

Project key outcomes and outputs /
  • …
  • …

Project summary / [max 300 words]
Project duration / Start date:click to enter a date / Final date:click to enter a date
Project budget / € / Requested subsidy / €

1) Only projects on improved river basin management may be implemented in multiple countries.

2) At least 50% of the project budget is allocated to activities that fall within this primary FDW theme.

3) Indicate whether the project targets another FDW theme next to the primary theme.

2. Introduction

2.1.Context analysis

  • Describe the wider context of the project. This section should answer general questions such as: in what environment/context is the project implemented? Which external factors are important? Pay attention to the social, economic and political situation and theinstitutional setup related to the project.Astakeholder and problem analysis should be provided in separate sections below. A more exhaustive analysis of risks and assumptions is presented in paragraph 8.
  • Describe the social, economic and political situation and institutional setup relevant to the project.
  • One of the objectives of the FDW-programme is to contribute to gender equality. Include in your context analysis information about the sociological, economic and cultural gender context and how access to, and control of resources, services and results of labour is divided
  • In reference to Annex 3 to the policy rules, sustainability framework (FIETS kader):Describe the context in relation to sustainability. Present the wider context, more detailed information on sustainability can be provided in paragraph 4 project strategy.
  • Describe the local policy, laws and regulations that are relevant to the proposed project.

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2.2.Stakeholder analysis

  • Which key stakeholders or stakeholder groups are identified in the project context? Stakeholders are those parties influenced by the project and those that can influence the project directly or indirectly.

Stakeholder / Role1) / Interest2) / Position2) / Influence3)

1) Type of activity: e.g. decision-maker, supplier, consumer, financer or beneficiary;

2) Level of interest in the project output and outcome: High; Medium; Low;

3) The position of the stakeholder towards the project objective: e.g. in favour, against, ambiguous towards the change(s) required to meet the development goal

3) The degree of influence the stakeholder has in the project context: High; Medium; Low.

  • For every key stakeholder: elaborate on their interest in the project, their responsibilities, position and influence.
  • Interest: What is the stakeholder’s interest in the project? What is the long-term benefit for the stakeholder?
  • Responsibilities: What responisibility and role does the stakeholder has in respect to the project focus area?
  • Position: What are the reasons for the stakeholder’s position towards the project or project goals and ambitions?
  • Influence: In what way can the stakeholder influence the project, what is their power and mandate?

Stakeholder 1

[Text]

Stakeholder 2

[Text]

Stakeholder x

[Text]

2.3. problem analysis

The problem analysis describes what problems need to be solved to achieve the project purpose (impact, long-term outcomes). It involves all issues that need to be changed in order to realise the desired impact, irrespective of whether the project will target these problems. Also explain what are the current roots or drivers of these problems.Describe the problems as a current negative situation, not as the absence of a solution (not ‘lack of funds’ or ‘technique x not available’ but rather the consequences of this.)

  • Provide the problem analysis below, detailing at least:
  • The main problemsthat need to be solved in order to realise the desired impact.
  • The causes of these problems.
  • The effects of the problems.
  • Who is affected by the problems?
  • Who and what is needed to solve the problems?
  • Which of these problems are not solved or targeted by the project, and why?

Within LFA, the problem analysis is often based on a problem tree. If this problem tree is available, you may include it as an Annex8ato this project plan (not mandatory).

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3.Project purpose

The project’spurpose or objective describes the potential impact and long-term outcome of the project, including the contribution to the FDW development goal and policy principles as laid down in the ‘FDW Policy Framework’ and the administrative rules for the ‘Sustainable Water Fund Grant Programme’ ( It also includes the contribution the proposed project will make to the policy objectives of the target country and the Multi Annual Strategic Plans (MASP) of the Dutch Embassy in the target country. More information on the MASPs can be found here: (in Dutch) or by contacting the Netherlands Embassy. Present the project purpose as SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) as possible.

The project purpose must include one or more of the important problems as identified in the problem analysis. Where relevant, include and integrate objectives on gender and sustainability.

Details on the project output and outcome will be presented per work package in paragraph 6, Project implementation.

Within LFA, the project’s purpose is often based on an objective tree. If this objective tree is available, it can be included as an Annex 8b to the application (not mandatory).

  • Describe the project purpose.

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4. Project strategy

The project strategy describes how the project’s intended activities, ouput and outcome are interlinked and how these will lead to achieving the project objective. It also involves the rationale behind the project set-up, for instance by explaining the concept behind a certain set of activities and results. The general project strategy is presented here, the strategy that will be followed in relation to sustainabilityof project output and outcome, gender, pro poor and upscaling are presented in more detail in separate sections after this paragraph.

  • Describe the general project strategy

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4.1. Sustainability strategy

FDW-projects have to lead to a sustainable outcome and output. Sustainability is defined in more detail using the FIETS model. FIETS is the abbreviation for Financial, Institutional, Environmental (including climate), Technical and Social Sustainability. Please refer to annex 3 to the FDW-project subsidy administrative rules, Sustainability framework (FIETS kader) at

Provide the project strategy on how sustainability is obtained and maintained after the project period for every element of FIETS below.Substantiate the strategy using quantitative data where needed.

All partner companies are expected to have their own CSR policy or develop and implement such a policy before project conclusions. Moreover, also non-company organisations can have a CSR policy. Where relevant link the strategy on sustainability to these CSR policies. Where in the project are these policies made concrete and how.

It is expected that the strategies to reach sustainability are translated into project outputs/outcomes and included in project monitoring and evaluation (paragraph 9)

Financial sustainability

Financial sustainability deals with how project output and outcome is sustained during and after the project period without additional donor funding. After investments are made for hardware or services, the operation, maintenance, repairs and replacement costs need to be paid for to make this investment sustainable. It should be clear who is paying for this and what revenue model is underlying.

  • Please fill out Annex 4 to the application: Financial sustainability and revenue model.
  • Provide a narrative here on the strategy to obtain financial sustainability. The revenue model will be central in this. At the very least paying attention to:
  • The bottlenecks currently preventing a financially sustainable situation
  • The project activities related to financial sustainability.
  • Type of revenue model(s); this can be a commercial business case, other financing models such as cross-subsidy, tariffs, local domestic resources such as taxes, local subsidies etc., or a multitude or combination of these. Elaborate on how the revenue model functions, how and when revenues are secured etc.
  • Describe the market and value chain(s) linked to the revenue model(s) (market study). This also includes willingness and ability to pay by the target group of the revenue model.
  • Competition. Who are competitors, what is their product/service, niche and current market share?
  • On what information is the financing model based? E.g. a market study, other types of study, local policy, law or legislation etc.
  • Link between revenue model and (specifically) reaching the vulnerable groups and poor?
  • Risks related to the revenue model. E.g. to what extent are the foreseen incomes guaranteed?
  • Monitoring on the functioning of the revenue model(s) during project implementation.

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Institutional sustainability

Potential FDW-projects need to be embedded in the local context. It is important that the project ensures local stakeholders to have sufficient capacity to sustain the project output and outcome. This may be secured by investing in the enabling environment relevant to the project.

  • Provide a narrative on the strategy to obtain institutional sustainability. At the very least pay attention to:
  • The bottlenecks currently preventing an institutionally sustainable situation
  • Involvement of organisations that are responsible for management, maintenance and operation of the project output and outcome during and after the project period.
  • In respect to public services, the involvement of duty bearers for public services, relevant to the project.
  • The capacity of the responsible organisations.
  • Involvement of local stakeholders during project design, implementation and follow-up.
  • The obligatory sustainability compact
  • Capacity building activities. How do they help improving the enabling environment?
  • The representation of interests of the FDW-target groups.

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Environmental sustainability (including climate)

The project output and outcome contribute to a (more) sustainable use of natural resources, waste reduction, climate adaptation or the improvement of the living environment. The project has no or very little adverse effects in respect to these elements.

  • Provide a narrative on the strategy to obtain environmental sustainability. This also includes climate related adaptation and mitigation strategies. At the very least paying attention to:
  • The bottlenecks currently preventing an environmentally sustainable situation.
  • The availability and quality of relevant natural resources (i.e. ground water)
  • Project contribution a more sustainable use of natural resources en waste reduction.
  • Adaptation and mitigation to climate change.
  • The (potential) positive and negative effects of the project on the environment and ecosystems (availability and quality of water, groundwater, soils, air, living environment, climate, protected or important ecosystems, biodiversity).
  • Relevant legislation related to environmental sustainability. The need for obtaining permits to commence the project activities.
  • Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA). Is ir required by local law and regulation to perform an EIA for the project? If so, this has to be included as output of the work pacjage Inception.

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Technical sustainability

The technology (or technologies) in which the project invests or make use of, needs to last beyond the project period. It should match local demand and conditions and needs to be affordable for the target groups and durable.

  • Provide a narrative on the strategy to obtain technical sustainability, at the very least paying attention to:
  • The bottlenecks currently preventing a technically sustainable situation.
  • Adherence to the demand and needs of the technology users.
  • The relevant techniques and hardware production that are already locally available and used.
  • Feasibility in the local context of the hardware/technique that will be implemented by the project.
  • Alternative technologies. The reasons for choosing the technology introduced by the project.
  • The availability and affordability of spare parts related to the techniques/hardware that will be implemented by the project.
  • The availability of capacity and expertise needed for management, operation and maintenance of the hardware/technology.

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Social sustainability

The project activities, output and outcome have to be socially and culturally acceptable, demand driven and not excluding the needs of the poor, women and vulnerable groups.

  • Provide a narrative on the strategy to obtain social sustainability, at the very least paying attention to:
  • The bottlenecks currently preventing a technically sustainable situation.
  • Local needs in respect to the project output and outcome.
  • Adherence to the social and cultural values.
  • How will the poor and vulnerable groups benefit from the project in the short and long term. It is expected that the project is benefitting these FDW target groups and achieves relevant output and outcome in this respect.
  • Involvement of the FDW-target groups involved in project design, implementation and follow- up.
  • Risks of having negative impact on the FDW-target groups.
  • Specific project activities, output and outcome that contribute to the living and working conditions of the poor and vulnerable groups.
  • Sustainability of the benefits to the FDW-target groups after the project period.
  • Where relevant, the project’s effects on public health issues

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4.2. Gender strategy

A potential FDW-project should preferably be gender transformative; contributing to gender equality, intentionally targeting and benefitting gender equity. At a minimum, the project has to be gender sensitive, considering gender norms, roles and relations.