CANADA FUND
Fonds canadien
Êàíàä Ñàí


CANADA FUND FOR LOCAL INITIATIVES
-- MONGOLIA --

2010/2011 PROJECT GUIDELINES


Introduction

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) program is a small grants program that the Government of Canada operates in over one hundred developing countries around the world. The general objective of the Canada Fund is to enhance economic, cultural, and social life of the people of eligible countries by financing small projects involving technical, economic, educational, cultural, and/or social development assistance to the local population through the Canadian Embassy/Mission.

A Canada Fund for Local Initiatives was established in Mongolia in 1997. Since that time, the Canada Fund in Mongolia has supported over 300 small-scale projects, predominantly in poor areas of rural Mongolia. In Mongolia, the Canada Fund seeks to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged groups and communities, particularly those in rural areas.


Programming Priorities for the Canada Fund in Mongolia

The CFLI Mongolia will remain focused on promoting CIDA’s priorities which are poverty reduction, democratic governance, private sector development, health, basic education, equality between women and men, and environmental sustainability. However, emphasis will be placed on projects aimed at:
• Contributing to poverty reduction
• Improving livelihoods of poor and rural herder households most affected by dzud
• Improving the access to basic education in rural areas and improving the quality and delivery of primary health care services
Gender equality and environmental sustainability are integrated across all areas.

Geographic Focus

The general objective of the Canada Fund is to enhance economic, cultural, and social life of the people of eligible countries by financing small projects involving technical, economic, educational, cultural, and/or social development assistance to the local population. In this respect project submissions from any region of Mongolia are encouraged. The Canada Fund prefers to work in remote rural areas of the country where the social development needs are most pronounced and development assistance resources are less broadly available.
This year more attention will be given to projects aimed at reducing poverty; supporting livelihoods of poor and rural herder households most affected by dzud,; and improving the access to basic education in rural areas and improving the quality and delivery of primary health care services. The CFLI will consider bigger projects (funding range 15,000-30,000USD/project) this year benefiting number of people which will lead to fewer projects to be approved and monitored.


Cross-Cutting Themes

 Gender Equality: All projects should ensure women’s participation and should aim to address gender inequalities.

 Environmental Protection: All projects should ensure that there will be no negative impact on the environment. Projects that also aim to protect the environment will receive favourable consideration.

 Sustainability: All projects should include plans for building local capacity and for maintaining project results following the completion of project activities.

 Participation: All projects should be initiated by local communities and should involve the active participation of beneficiaries in all project stages and decision-making processes.


How to Apply

The Canada Fund provides one-time financial support for small-scale, short-term projects that address local needs and contribute to long-term development goals. The Canada Fund does not design or implement projects, but responds to requests that come directly from local communities.

Project proposals that meet the Canada Fund’s 2010/2011 programming priorities, geographic focus, and cross-cutting themes can be submitted to the Canada Fund office for consideration. Project applications should outline a proposed series of activities aimed at achieving certain objectives within a specific budget and within a limited period of time (one year or less), and should include information on the beneficiaries as well as the applicant organization.

Application forms can be obtained from the Canada Fund office. Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Organizations that have not received grants from the Canada Fund before are advised to send materials introducing themselves to the Canada Fund before submitting proposals.


Project Budgets

Budgets should be developed using reasonable estimates of expenses that would be required to complete project activities and achieve project results. It is expected that local contribution will cover a significant portion of the budget. Local contribution can include financial support, donated materials, and in-kind labour and services.

The maximum amount for the Canadian contribution is CAD$50,000 (approximately 48,000USD), but project budgets are rarely of that size and applicants are advised to prepare budgets in the range of 15,000 to 30,000 USD though exceptions outside of this range can be made.

 Eligible costs: Because all Canada Fund projects are local, community-based projects, it is expected that budget costs will match local market rates. Project partners should aim to get the best, competitive prices for goods, services, and contracts. Project management costs should represent a minimal proportion of the budget.

 Ineligible costs: The Canada Fund does not cover stipends/incentives for trainees, taxes, etc. In general, the Canada Fund does not support disaster relief, research, administrative costs, or the purchase of high-maintenance equipment. The Canada Fund cannot fund projects whose main purpose is to finance the core operations or recurrent costs of a group or organization.

Once a project is approved and funds are disbursed, no further financial support will be provided beyond the authorized project budget for any given project.


Project Approval Process

1) Project Proposals: Project proposals that are based on local needs and designed together with local communities are submitted to the Canada Fund.

2) Evaluating Proposals: The Canada Fund makes a preliminary selection of the strongest proposals that fall within the Canada Fund’s programming priorities, geographic focus, and budget limitations. The Canada Fund Coordinator obtains additional information from the local partner and conducts an on-site investigation to determine eligibility for a Canada Fund grant.

3) Review by the Canada Fund Committee: If a proposed project seems appropriate for Canada Fund support, the Coordinator makes a recommendation, with proposed budget details, to the Canada Fund Committee at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. The Committee then decides whether to recommend a proposal for approval by the Head of Mission, or not; it may ask for additional information before making a decision.

4) Approval by the Canadian Ambassador: After a project is assessed by the Canada Fund Committee, the proposal is forwarded to the Canadian Ambassador to Mongolia. The Ambassador then approves or rejects proposals; he/she may ask for additional information before making the final decision.

5) Agreements: If the Ambassador approves the project, an agreement will be prepared for signature by the recipient organization and the Ambassador. This represents an agreement between the Canadian Embassy and the local organization.

6) Advance Payments (First Disbursement of Funds): Once the agreement is signed and an original signed copy is returned to the Canada Fund, an advance payment of project funds (first disbursement) is made to the local partner.

7) Project Implementation: Projects are implemented according to the agreement. Major changes to the project must be approved by the Canada Fund. Funds spent on unapproved items are subject to recovery by the Canadian Embassy. A brief interim narrative and financial report is submitted to the Canada Fund on the progress of the project.

8) Final Report: A final narrative project report and financial report are provided to the Canada Fund according to the deadline stipulated in the project agreement. Canada Fund grant recipients are expected to maintain project files and financial records for at least five years.

9) Payment of Remaining Funds (Final Disbursement of Funds): If the final report is satisfactory, the remaining funds are provided to the partner. Project implementers and beneficiary communities continue to follow-up to ensure that the results of the project are sustained and that beneficiaries have the skills and support they need.

10) Monitoring, Evaluation and Audits: The Canada Fund reserves the right to visit and inspect projects at any time. The Canada Fund hires independent monitors and auditing companies to conduct monitoring and evaluation of projects. Lessons learned are shared.


Contact Information

Canada Fund Mongolia
Seoul Street-21
Naiman Zovkhis Building, 2nd Floor
Tel: (976-11) 319903, 319916 / Fax: (976-11) 319916
E-mail: canadafund@mongolnet.mn
Website: www.canadafundmongolia.mn
POB-1028, Central Post Office -13




















CANADA FUND MONGOLIA – PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM

1. Project title:

2. Location of Proposed Project:

3. General information on the recipient organisation(s):

4. List of past and active projects implemented or implementing by the recipient:

Project title Funding organization Budget Year




5. Description of project, including:
- Background/context
- Development objective
- Specific project purpose
- Expected Results

6. Recipient/Target Group
- Who will benefit from the project and how will these benefits be realized? (Total number of recipients and number of women/children)
- Were the beneficiaries involved in the decision to seek funding and the planning and design of the project? If so, how?
- How and to what extend will the beneficiaries participate in the implementation of the project?
- When the project has been completed, what will their future participation be?

7. Brief statement of resources/inputs requested from Canada Fund. Relationship of resources provided by Canada Fund to the contributions of the recipients and other donors.

8. Implementation plan and method:
- Is there an operations plan?
- What are the means of execution?

9. Monitoring and reporting proposed by project proponent.

10. Socio-economic benefits to be derived from project by recipients (analysis of anticipated results of project).

11. Assessment of project risks.

12. Is there any beneficial impact on children?

13. Any unusual aspect of the project?

14. Project sustainability:
- Is it assured or not?

15. Impact on women (if any).

16. Impact on the environment (if any).

17. Methods by which the recipients will maintain and assume responsibility after completion of the project (if applicable).

18. Budget (USD):
Canada Fund Recipient Others Totals
Type of activity
Services
Equipment & Materials
Totals