Preparation of Concept Notes for the
Call for Proposals "Support to Civil
Society Organisations and Local
authorities (CSO-LA) in the Republic of
Moldova"
23rd April, 2018
The content of this presentation is the sole responsibility of GDSI Limited and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union
Block 2:
Role and structure of
Concept Note (CN) in EU
application procedure
The content of this presentation is the sole responsibility of GDSI Limited and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union
Webinar Programme
23rd April, Block 2: 14:00-15:30hrs (Chisinau time)
1) Role and structure of Concept Note in EU application
procedure
➢ The new approach and expectations of the EC: theory of
change, focus on results and outcomes
2) Structure of the Concept Note
➢ Elements and technical requirements of the Concept Note
➢ Evaluation criteria: which are key criteria for CN
evaluation, small exercise (depending on technical
possibilities)
3) Q & A
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Role and structure of
Concept Note in EU
application procedure
4 European Union
The content of this presentation is the sole responsibility of GDSI Limited and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the
Approaches and tools for project design
1) Logical Framework (Approach) - LFA
Objective oriented project planning (OOPP)
Phase 1: Identification of problem, situation &
stakeholder analysis
Phase 2: Problem analysis (Problem tree), Objective
analysis (Objective tree), Strategy analysis
Phase 3: Logical framework (Logframe)
2) Theory of change
Planning triangle, logical model, outcomes (result)
chain + narrative
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Source: Tools4dev.org
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Logical Framework (Approach) - LFA
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Diagram description of a project or programme;
Gives description how the project/programme contributes
to outputs, outcomes and goals/results;
Key element/part of Project Cycle Management (PCM) &
used for Objective Oriented Project Planning (OOPP);
Usually shown as matrix or logframe, also flow chart (called
logic model);
Linear (not cyclic, no feedback loops);
Incl. planning/anticipating of risks and assumptions;
Tool for planning, monitoring.
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Logical framework
approach
vs. Theory of change
• Tool for planning & monitoring
projects
• Focused on project (logic) of
intervention (zooming in on a
specific pathway)
• Focus on logical steps, details
of the intervention
• Linear
• Shown in a diagram (matrix,
logframe)
• Tool for planning & monitoring
projects
• Incl. big picture/context & different
pathways
• Focus on change
• Circular/incl. feedback loops
• Shown in a diagram (triangle, boxes,
logframe, etc.)
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LogFrame approach, Theory of change & the EU
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In 1992, the Commission adopted “Project Cycle
Management” (PCM), a set of project design and
management tools based on the LFA, which was already
widely used by the EU, MS, UN and other donors;
The Commission has continued to improve and update
these tools through the years, the latest being with the
2015 & 2016 PRAG, which introduced updated
Logframe (incl. result chain, baselines, targets).
The current LogFrame combination of classical
LogFrame approach and Theory of change.
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The updated EU LogFrame
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LFA approach moved towards focus on change
 incl. Theory of change
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Reflected in the terminology and meaning of the LogFrame:
➢ Logic of intervention
➢ Overall objectives
➢Specific objectives
➢ Outputs
➢Activities
Result chain
Impact
Outcomes
Results
Activities
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The updated EU Logframe (cont.)
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Indicators are updated with 3 additional columns to
elaborate indicators into a monitoring framework to be
used during the project implementation:
➢ Baseline (concrete indicator value at the the starting of
measuring, can also be current value);
➢ Current value (concrete indicator value at the start of
project implementation);
➢ Target (concrete indicator value to be achieved at
project end, also level of expected output, outcome,
impact).
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1
2
Results Chain (used in EU Logframe)
A simple diagram to show how a project will trigger
different levels of change from activities to impact.
Results!
Inputs
• Financial and
Physical
Resources
committed to
programme
activities
Activities
• Utilisation of
resources to
generate
products and
services
through an
"Action"
Outputs
• The products,
capital goods
and services
which result
from an
Action’s
activities
Outcomes
Impact
• The likely or
• Long term
achieved shorteffects
term and
produced by
medium-term
the Action
effects of an
Action’s outputs
Example of result chain (used in EU LogFrame)
Inputs
Outputs
Outcomes
• Procurement of • Text books
text books
provided
• Training
• Teachers
organised
trained
• Water points
• financial input • Contracting
constructed
• Identifying sites • Sanitation
facilities
improved
• Procurement & • Improved
access to
• financial input distribution of
condoms
condoms
• Promoting
• Marketing
the use of
condom
• Increased
school
completion
• financial input
Activities
Impact
• Increased
literacy
• Improved
health and
• Increased use
well being
of improved
water &
sanitation
• Reduced
number of
new HIV
• Increased use
infections and
of condoms
unwanted
pregnancies
Structure of the Concept
Note
14 European Union
The content of this presentation is the sole responsibility of GDSI Limited and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the
Elements of the CN
1. Description of the action
2. Relevance of the action
3. Partnership/Lead applicant, (co-applicants and
affiliated entities)
THE ACTION = PROJECT = Global term
for beneficiary activities funded by the EU (via grants,
procurement, prizes or financial instruments).
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1. Description of the action
Includes information on:
➢ the background of the action;
➢ the objectives of the action (section 1.1.1);
➢ key stakeholder groups, their attitudes towards the
action and consultations held;
➢ the type of activities, expected outputs, outcome(s)
and impact including linkages/relationships between
activities (LogFrame?);
➢ broad timeframe and specific factors of the action.
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2. Relevance of the action
1) Relevance to the objectives/sectors/themes/specific
priorities of the call for proposals
Includes information on relevance of the action:
➢ to the objective(s) and priority(ies) of the CfP;
➢ to specific subthemes/sectors/areas and other specific
requirements as per GfA;
➢ which of the expected results (or lots) referred to in
the guidelines for applicants will be addressed.
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2. Relevance of the action
2) Relevance to the particular needs/constraints of the
target country/region(s) and/or relevant sectors
Includes information on relevance of the action:
➢ the specific pre-project situation (incl. quantified data
analysis where possible);
➢ detailed analysis of the problems;
➢ any significant and relevant plans undertaken and how
the action will relate to such plans;
➢ how it builds on previous activities/results of this
previous action or synergies with larger programme.
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2. Relevance of the action
3) The target groups and final beneficiaries, their needs
and constraints, and state how the action will address
these needs
➢ description of the target groups and final beneficiaries
(quantified where possible);
➢ their needs and constraints;
➢ Demonstrate the link of the proposal to the needs and
constraints;
➢ Explain their participation.
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Added-value elements
Information on specific added-value elements:
➢ the promotion or consolidation of public-private
partnerships, innovation and best practice,
➢ cross-cutting issues such as environmental issues,
promotion of gender equality and equal
opportunities, the needs of disabled people, the
rights of minorities and the rights of indigenous
peoples.
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3. Partnership (Lead applicant, co-applicants and
affiliated entities etc.)
APPLICANT
COAPPLICANT
THE
ACTION
ASSOCIATES
AFIILIATED
ENTITIES
CONTRACTORS
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Technical requirements !!!
➢ Closely follow the template;
➢ Must be in English;
➢ Do not exceed 5 full pages (A4 size) of Arial 10 characters with 2
cm margins, single line spacing;
➢ Sign the Declaration by the applicant for the Concept Note (part
of the CN template);
➢ Estimate of co-financing rate may not later vary by more than 20
%;
➢ Own contribution may be replaced by other donors’
contribution, while partners and duration only under limited
circumstances
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Administration check
Administration compliance check:
✓ Whether CN is submitted within deadline;
✓ If the CN satisfies all the criteria specified in the
checklist (Annex A.1.)
If any of the requested information is missing or is
incorrect, the application may be rejected on that sole basis
and the application will not be evaluated further.
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Evaluation of the CNs
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The CN will receive an overall score out of 50 in line
with the evaluation grid, while score bellow 30 will be
rejected;
Elements related to relevance to the CfP, target
group/area, overall design and feasibility have double
weight in the score
KEY IS TO HAVE A GOOD, SOUND and RELEVANT
IDEA!!!
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Section
Maximum Score
30
1.1. How relevant is the proposal to the objectives and priorities of the Call for
5x2**
Proposals?*
1. Relevance of the action
1.2. How relevant to the particular needs and constraints of the target country(ies)
or region(s) is the proposal (including synergy with other EU initiatives and
avoidance of duplication)?*
1.3. How clearly defined and strategically chosen are those involved (final
beneficiaries, target groups)? Have their needs been clearly defined and does
the proposal address them appropriately?*
1.4. Does the proposal contain specific added-value elements, such as
environmental issues, promotion of gender equality and equal opportunities,
needs of disabled people, rights of minorities and rights of indigenous peoples,
or innovation and best practices [and the other additional elements indicated
under 1.2. of these guidelines]?*
5x2**
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5
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2.1. How coherent is the overall design of the action? In particular, does it reflect
5x2**
the analysis of the problems involved, take into account external factors and
2. Design of the action
relevant stakeholders?
2.2. Is the action feasible and consistent in relation to the objectives and expected
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results?
5x2**
Evaluation of the CN
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CNs that reach the above threshold will be ranked by
score. The highest scoring applications will be preselected until the limit of 200% of the available budget
for the CfP is reached;
Lead applicants receive a letter indicating the reference
number of their application and the respective results.
This letter will automatically appear online in the
PROSPECT profile or is sent by email or by post;
The pre-selected lead applicants will subsequently be
invited to submit full applications.
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