Share-Net International Small Grants Fund 2018
Introduction
Share-Net International, the Knowledge Platform for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, aims “To strengthen linkages between research, policy and practice through sharing, generating, translating and promoting the use of knowledge for the development of better policies and practices in SRHR”.
Alongside a research programme, coordinated through NWO/WOTRO in three focus countries (Bangladesh, Burundi and Jordan), a smaller allocation of funds has been made available through the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This has partly been used to establish a small grants facility providing funding for knowledge management activities for member organisations of Share-Net International.
Activities proposed by members must contribute to achieve the knowledge related aims of Share-Net International, as specified in the Programme Document Knowledge Platform on SRHR:
“The Knowledge Platform will aim to ensure that knowledge relevant for achieving improved SRHR is identified, shared, generated and used to achieve international development goals. The Knowledge Platform aims to understand and facilitate the complex processes by which evidence informs policy and practice, both in the Netherlands and in partner countries, and to facilitate learning and collaborative exchange among those participating.”
Activities should also increase learning related to the 4 core areas of Dutch policy regarding SRHR, namely;
- Better information and greater freedom of choice for young people about their sexuality
- Improved access to reproductive health commodities
- Better sexual and reproductive health care (during pregnancy and childbirth, including safe abortion)
- Greater respect for the sexual and reproductive rights of groups who are currently denied these rights.
Small Grants Call 2018
The focus of activities of Share-Net International at this moment is geared towards translating existing knowledge into products that will be used to influence and improve SRHR practice and policy.
The objectives of the grants can be three-fold:
1) Capitalize on previous rounds of small grants (that mostly focused on gaining new knowledge and insights) calling for translation of research into products that will be used to facilitate tangible change in policy or practice. Proposals reaching/documenting actual changes in policy or practice will have an advantage in the selection process.
2) Capitalise on research done by our members in the field of SRHR that could benefit from a process of translating knowledge into materials that will influence policy and/or practice.
3) Documenting actual changes in policy and practice and how these have been implemented, as long as it relates to work either done though earlier Share-Net International grants or Share-Net members.
It is crucial in this call to show how the grants will contribute to changes in policy or practice, and to include an analysis of when and how this change will be effectuated, including the expected benefit for specific SRHR targets and groups. This should be clearly articulated in your application. We expect a communication plan for achieving these results in your application.
All the work done and products developed through these grants are co-owned by Share-Net International and should be available for use by Share-Net International at any time in the future for marketing, promotion or any other activities. The name and logo of Share-Net International should be mentioned in all products and communications
Type of products that can be developed with this grant are amongst others: pamphlets, leaflets, films, guidelines, strategies, meetings with parliamentarians, policy briefs, articles, dialogues etc.
Funding available
The total amount available for this call is 80,000 euros. The upper limit per grant is 10,000 euros. However, we do encourage members to budget as carefully as possible, so we are able to grant more proposals.
Eligibility
Members of Share-Net International based in The Netherlands, Bangladesh, Burundi and Jordan are eligible to apply for this funding.
Non-members may be included in a member led proposal. Members have the final responsibility in terms of output delivery and monitoring and subcontracting non-members.
Although members can apply for any number of grants, members can be awarded only one grant per funding round. In addition, all members may be partners in other proposals.
Proposals which demonstrate strong local partnerships are encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
Thus, in sum, the applicant must:
- Be submitted by a Share-Net International member.
- Be relevant and contribute to the Share-Net International aims, as mentioned above.
- Comply with one of the three objectives as mentioned above.
- Include a communication plan 2019 for reaching policy and practice change for different target groups, eg. campaigning online, newsletter, social media, conferences. Be specific and SMART. Keep in mind that Share-Net International should be mentioned in all communications around this project by “Share-Net International, the knowledge platform on SRHR”
- Be in the interest of Burundi, Bangladesh or Jordan, or in the case of organisations based in The Netherlands, any low or middle income country (as specified by the World Bank – http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups ).
- Be for any amount up to 10,000 euros.
- Ensure that all activities are completed within 5 months (final reports submitted not later than 23rd November 2018) from the date of starting or when the contract is signed.
Assessment and Selection Criteria
Quality and feasibility (30%)
- Overall quality of proposal explicitly showing how/which policy or practice will be influenced or changed for which specific target group
- Clear specification of which gaps in SRHR policy and practice are addressed and providing data to support that claim.
- Quality of work plan and budget
- Feasibility of the project within given timeframe and budget
- Cost-efficiency (value for money)
Translation for use (40%)
- Relevance of the activities for influencing policy and practice
- Indication of who will use the product and likelihood of achieving success (including forces for and against change and how these will be addressed)
- Analysis on how product will effectively facilitate change
- Quality of communication / implementation & dissemination plan.
Innovative (10%)
- Use of innovative methods
- Presence of a new and original perspective.
Strength and benefits of proposed partnerships (10%)
- Clear and demonstrable added value in terms of partnerships
- Capacity development opportunities for local organisation(s)
Track record / institutional capacity of the applicant organisation. (10%)
- Demonstrable evidence that the proposed project falls within the core business of the lead organization
- Institutional capacity
The proposal should not be longer than 2000 words.
Award decisions will also take into account that projects be spread across themes, types of activities and countries/geographical areas.
Time frame & Process
All applications must be made using the Small Grant Application form 2018 and uploaded to our Share-Net International website. In order to upload the application form you need to register on our website first. Your user registration can take up to 24 hours to be processed during weekdays. Make sure you register in time!
If you encounter problems while uploading your application via the Share-Net International website please contact Maria Codina via m.codina@kit.nl.
The closing date for applications is 8th of May 2018, 17.00.
Uploading Application Form:
You can upload your application form here.
For the sake of transparency and accountability, all correctly completed applications will be assessed based on the above criteria by a selection committee, representing the Share-Net International Board, the Share-Net country nodes, and the Secretariat of Share-Net International. Conflicts of interest will be identified and relevant people removed from specific discussions and decisions.
All applicants will be informed of the decision by the 31st of May 2018 with the aim of having contracts signed, and for work to begin, from the 15th of June 2018. The projects should be finalized by the 23rd of November 2018 (maximum duration of 5 months).
Reporting:
At the end of the project period, a narrative and financial report should be send to m.stieglis@kit.nl reflecting the process. All products that have been developed should be shared with Share-Net International. Any photos and other products are to be shared in high level resolution. A reporting format is available.
Any Questions Regarding the Call Can Be Addressed To:
Meike Stieglis, Share-Net Netherlands Coordinator – M.Stieglis@kit.nl
Francoise Jenniskens, Interim Share-Net International Coordinator – F.Jenniskens@kit.nl
