Afghanistan: Call for proposals for FCO’s programme fund 2019/20

We are looking for a range of proposals which can demonstrate impact in one year, including where a project will act as a catalyst for alternative, sustainable sources of funding.

Currently we are inviting bids in the following areas:

Media freedom and the protection of journalists

  • Bids of up to £100,000: supporting the safety of journalists reporting in Afghanistan, seeking to reduce the numbers of journalists killed and injured in Afghanistan and help them to safely report to the Afghan public.

  • Bids of up to £50,000: promoting greater accessibility of government information for journalists and the public. Proposals should consider how to work with the access to information commission and government media.

  • Bids of up to £75,000: developing the capability and capacity of female citizen journalists working outside of Kabul, particularly focusing on social media training and ability to report from provinces.

Promoting the rights of the child and championing youth participation

  • Bids of up to £80,000: promoting greater youth access to and participation in sport, particularly for girls, as a vehicle for promoting community stability. Proposals could include (but not limited to) building upon the success of the Afghanistan Cricket team and the recent Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.

  • Bids of up to £60,000: promoting the UK’s Chevening Programme across Afghanistan, helping to ensure an increase in quality applications from candidates outside of Kabul, particularly from female applicants.

Criteria for selection

In all thematic areas, proposals will be expected to demonstrate that:

  • the project proposal provides good value for money
  • the proposal has clear, achievable outcomes, and responds to a local demand or need
  • the organisation has the capacity to deliver the project to a high standard (successful proposals will be subject to a due diligence assessment of the organisation)
  • the project helps build Afghan capacity (International NGOs/companies should aim to partner with a local Afghan counterpart where feasible)
  • the impact of the project will be sustainable beyond the end of the funding period (i.e. 31 March 2020)
  • activities can be delivered over the project life-cycle (i.e. not all planned for the final quarter of the year)
  • all risks have been carefully identified and measured and have suitable mitigations proposed

How to apply

To apply, you should:

  • read all the documents and requirements (attached below)
  • complete the project proposal form and submit your proposal to hedayatullah.noori@fco.gov.uk by 9th July 2019; please ensure the theme area of the bid is included in the subject line

Implementers whose proposals are awarded funding will be notified by the end of July 2019, with an expectation that activity could begin shortly afterwards, and end by 31 March 2020.

Before bidding please familiarise yourself with the following key documents: