UK-UA: Reform Assistance Programme in Ukraine
Call for project proposals in 2015-2016
Questions and Answers Session
19 December 2014
SUMMARY
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UK-UA: Reform Assistance Programme in Ukraine is seeking to finance projects falling under two priorities:
1. Good governance, accountability and transparency (with a particular focus on tackling and preventing corruption)
2. Implementation of economic reforms (with a particular focus on improvement of business climate)
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Budget of project proposals should be between £100,000 and £200,000
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Approved projects will start in April 2015, and last till 31 March 2016, with a possibility of extension to July 2016, if the project proves to be successful
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Competition is open for Ukrainian and international non-governmental organisations.
Having a Ukrainian lead or a Ukrainian partner will be a benefit for international organisations or consortia of organisations.
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Deadline for submission of project proposals is 20 January 2014 (midnight)
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PWC will seek to acknowledge receipt of the proposals within three days of their submission
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Decision on which project proposals will receive funding will be made by the British
Embassy Kyiv in co-ordination with the UK-Ukraine Project Management Unit (PMU)
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In February 2015, successful projects will be contacted by the PMU
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Final decision on which bids are to be financed will be taken in February 2015, March will be devoted to preparations for the project launch; approved projects will start in
April 2015
Frequently asked Questions & Answers
Cyber security is a big challenge of nowadays. Are information protection, improvement of cyber security strategy, etc. eligible for funding under this programme?
In principle yes, if it serves to improve business climate. Bidders should clearly demonstrate how the project purpose is linked to one of the two priority areas the Programme is seeking to support.
Do bidders need to find a ‘sponsor’ in the government when developing the project proposal?
Yes, in principle. Contact in and buy-in from the Government is an advantage. However, this will also depend on nature of the project, i.e. if it is about reform advocacy, such contacts might not be relevant.
Are newly formed organisations, which do not necessarily meet the annual turnover requirement, eligible to apply?
Yes. In case of the newly formed organisations, we will look at the competences of the project team. If the project team has the capacity to deliver the project, it is eligible for funding.
References for team members, including track record of the past projects, are critical.
Can same experts appear in more than one proposal?
If same experts are involved in project teams on more than one project proposal, we will look at the amount of time they will dedicate to individual projects. If not 100% of their time is allocated to both projects, this should not be a problem.
How big is the overall Programme?

We are looking to support 45 different projects [with budgets from £100,000 to £200,000] within the Programme.
Please expand on the economic reform priority. Does it have any sub-priorities? Are projects addressing the problem of energy efficiency at the municipal level eligible?
Yes, we are seeking to support projects, which could improve business climate, and will not discourage projects on energy efficiency at the municipal level from bidding. The project proposal, however, should clearly explain how the impact can be maximised, and how the project can be replicated at the national level.
In case a coalition is applying for project funding, will total annual budget of the lead organisation be considered, or will budgets of all members of the coalition be summed up to pass the total annual budget requirement?
PMU can consider adding up individual budgets of the coalition members depending on the role of the coalition partners and the lead organisation. Lifting the requirement of the annual total budget can be considered as an exception, if the project team manages to demonstrate proven track record of successful projects implemented in Ukraine. For new organisations, people forming the project team and their track record will be key.
With regard to selection criteria, in which form do you expect to see evidence of support from corresponding authorities? Are letters of interest/support acceptable?
This is for the bidders to decide. Projects should plan to ensure buy-in from the beneficiaries at the planning stage, and the project proposal should clearly demonstrate such buy-in. Letter of support and/or interest is acceptable.
Will projects addressing the issue of IDPs with a view of improving business climate in
Ukraine be considered?
In principle yes, if the projects are addressing supporting IDPs’ livelihoods, which will contribute to improving business climate in Ukraine. As DFID also supports a humanitarian programme, which seeks to address IDPs issues, such link between supporting IDPs and how it contributes to improving business climate, should be clearly demonstrated in the project proposal.
Can international organisations apply for funding?
Yes. Having a Ukrainian partner will be a benefit.
Are profit-making organisations eligible for funding?
Yes.
If the project proposal is about providing methodological support to the government, can the project team include government officials?
If there is a clear role for the government official in the team, it might be considered. However, projects aiming at methodological support, should clearly demonstrate the expected tangible result and impact, not to end up as a report on the shelf. Please, note that the government employee cannot be paid with the grant money for the job he/she is already being paid for by the
State. It is important to consider ethical issues especially, in case of advocacy projects.
Will the projects be considered technical assistance? Who in the government is responsible for TA projects?
The Call for Proposals is a grant component of the UK-UA Programme. The Programme also has a TA component – the information is on the web site of the British Embassy.
Do projects have to last for 12 months? Will shorter projects be considered?
Ideally, yes, we seek to fund projects lasting 12 months.
Can one organisation apply for more than one project?
Yes, but 1 project proposal should cover one priority only.

Are there any restrictions on projects addressing the issue of open digital data, if they contribute to tackling corruption?
No, there are no restrictions. Projects on e-governance are acceptable as they contribute to tackling corruption.
Is there a process of further work on the project proposals [after its submission]? Are project proposals considered to be final at the submission stage?
Once submitted, proposals are considered as final. If the evaluation panel sees good project ideas, but project proposals contain insufficient details, potential implementers can be invited for an interview to provide additional clarifications
After Maidan, many civic activists became civic advisors to the government. Are there any restrictions on including such people in the project teams in view of potential conflict of interest?
There are no particular restrictions; this will depend on the nature of project. As regards potential conflict of interests, common sense should be applied to avoid this. The rule of thumb is: the grant should not pay for the work for which someone is already being paid by their employers.
The applicant should consider ethical issues when forming a project team.
Can projects cover purchase of equipment, and/or education in the UK?
Purchase of equipment cannot be covered by projects. As regards education/training for state authorities, it can be supported as an element of the project, but the proposal should clearly demonstrate what the result of such training will be, and what change it is to deliver.
Is any preference given to one priority over the other one?
No, both priorities are equal in value.
How does PWC see supervision during the project implementation? How often PMU will interact with project teams and monitor implementation?
The project proposal includes project implementation milestones, against which the project will be monitored. There will be reports against milestones.
Will it be acceptable if the project finds another source of funding for the period beyond
2016?
Yes, ensuring project sustainability after end of funding in 2016 is a benefit.
Are there any restrictions on including a small sub-granting component in the project?
No, it can be considered depending on the nature of a project. However, sub-granting can be messy and complicated, while achieving the project’s objective will be the main priority.
The contracts are signed in GBP, in which currency will the project disbursements be made?
PwC UK will conclude 'accountable grant arrangements' with the recipients. In general, method of payment is in arrears. Contracts with for-profit organisations will be reimbursed in arrears.
There may be legitimate circumstances for payments to be made in advance to not-for-profit organisations which should be indicated. The PMU will assess and agree applications for advance payments from potential recipients, liaising with the British Embassy Kyiv as appropriate.
Improving business climate for local small and medium producers can sometimes be in conflict with interests of the big international producers. Are projects addressing SMEs eligible for funding?
Yes, as better conditions for SME businesses are a way to improve business climate.
Are projects addressing corruption in the penitentiary institutions of interest for the programme?
Yes, projects addressing any type of corruption are of interest.

When speaking about corruption [as a priority] do we mean purely tackling corruption, or also improving efficiency, effectiveness, business processes?
Yes, all these fall under the big strategic objective of good governance, accountability and transparency.
Are changes in the legislation and technical conditions eligible for funding?
In case of legislative changes, it is difficult to measure the impact of the project. End result of the project is most important. What change will the new legislation developed under the project bring about? Can the project ensure that the legislation is adopted and later implemented? Reform advocacy can be more efficient than pure development of changes in the current legislation.
Will support to implementation of the new legislation already adopted (e.g. anti-corruption legislation) be eligible for financing?
Yes, if the project focuses on explaining the required changes and educating the civil society accordingly. Civil society has an important role to play in the implementation.
Are projects in the sphere of mass media (e.g. setting up a web-portal) eligible?
It depends on the result the project is seeking to achieve – it should aim to drive economic reform, or tackle corruption, etc. In case of a web-portal, it is important to think about the ways to measure changing attitudes to evaluate the project’s success. All projects should focus on results.
Will cooperation or partnership [of organisations in the project team] be encouraged?
This depends on what makes the best team for the project. There is no discrimination based on project team composition.
Whom can we contact for more questions?
Any further questions can be sent to PMU at ukreformassistance@ua.pwc.com
.