The British Embassy in Panama is now accepting applications from not-for-profit, civil society and multilateral organisations for project proposals that directly support the following thematic areas:
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Open societies (democracy, human rights, media freedom)
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COVID-19, vaccines, recovery and health security
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Climate and Biodiversity
Background
The International Programme (IP) of the United Kingdom was launched in 2015 as a responsive and agile fund to support Strategic Objectives of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The IP facilitates adaptive, short-term projects that respond to specific policy outcomes, influence policies and create networks that open opportunities for further engagement and diplomacy.
We are particularly interested in short-term interventions in the following specific areas:
1. Open societies (democracy, human rights, media freedom):
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Open Data/Access to information – including but not limited to digitalisation of government services and information
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Improving the quality of and access to government/national statistics/information
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Supporting human rights
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Supporting LGBT+ rights in Panama
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Supporting Media Freedom
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Supporting indigenous rights and inclusion in policymaking
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Supporting Gender Equality in Panama
2. COVID-19, vaccines, recovery and health security:
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Supporting inclusive, green and sustainable economic recovery and growth after the impacts of the pandemic
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Supporting data-driven initiatives to tackle Covid-19
3. Climate and Biodiversity:
- Tackling biodiversity loss/deforestation, with a particular interest on tackling this issue in the indigenous regions
- Policy support in solid waste management and recycling
- Capacity building and preparation ahead of COP26, including in climate negotiations and implementation of NDCs
Exceptions
To ensure the best value of investment during these challenging times, we are unable to support proposals that involve:
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Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), oxygen-related equipment (e.g. ventilators and respirators), diagnostic tests/materials and COVID-19-related medicines
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Purchase or maintenance of any IT and other equipment
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Direct cash transfers to vulnerable individuals or families
Funding Terms
Proposals must be submitted in United States Dollars (USD) currency.
Full project spent must be completed by early to mid December 2021. Applications that exceed this funding period will not be accepted.
Project Budget
From $10,000 to $30,000 USD
Official Development Assistance (ODA):
All expenditures must qualify as ODA eligible. ODA is a term created by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This term serves as a measurement of international aid. ODA projects have, as a primary objective, the promotion of economic development and welfare.
Important Milestones:
| Date | Activity |
| May 27, 2021 (9:00 AM Panama Time) | Outreach session |
| June 6, 2021 (11:59 PM Panama Time) | Call for Bids closes |
| June 21-25, 2021 | Confirmation to participants |
| July, 2021 | Projects initiate |
| October 31, 2021 | Projects must reach a minimum 85% spend |
| December 15, 2021 | Projects must reach 100% spend, activities must have been completed and Project Completion Report (PCR) submitted |
Application Process
Please ensure that project proposals are designed and submitted in accordance with the following guidelines. Proposals that do not meet the guidance will be rejected.
Assessment criteria:
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strict alignment with aforementioned priority areas
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evidence of urgent or priority need
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activities are value for money (VfM) and cost-efficient
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clear, tangible, and achievable deliverables within the funding period
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clear monitoring and evaluation procedures included
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good risk & stakeholder management
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project feasibility, including capacity of implementing organisation and ability to deliver under current circumstances
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sustainability – project benefits continue after the funding ends
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the organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure gender equality and protection of beneficiaries (i.e. against harassment and discrimination of women and children)
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administration costs for delivering the project do not exceed 10% of the total project budget
Submission:
To submit a proposal, please e-mail the following Project Proposal Form and Activity Based Budget to Panama.Prosperity@fcdo.gov.uk, with the subject line “Organisation name – Project Title” and include a point of contact in the body of the email. All documents must be submitted in English. Ensure the submitted documents have the organisation name at the beginning of the file name. Example: OrganisationName_PPF_ProjectName; OrganisationName_ABB_ProjectName. Projects names on files must be up to five words.
What to expect after?
The Embassy will hold an outreach session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, 27 May 2021 at 9:00 AM (Panama Time) to provide information about the bidding process and funding objectives. To access the session, click here.
Both successful and rejected bids will receive notice in due course. Selected proposals will go through a Due Diligence Assessment (DDA). The Embassy will save the right to decide whether it should maintain or reject a proposal depending on DDA outcomes. Implementing partners will be expected to sign a standard FCDO contract or grant agreement with the Embassy. The terms are non-negotiable. All implementers must also commit to a consistent financial management, regular monitoring and reporting back when requested; including discussing and updating any changes to the Activity Based Budget with the assigned Projects Officer.
The Panama Prosperity mailbox will only receive proposal applications. Please direct any general inquiries to Anibal.Castillo@fcdo.gov.uk.
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