SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
MALAWI DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2015-18
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The Scottish Government International Development Team is pleased to open a
funding round for the Malawi Development Programme 2015-18, under the Scottish
Government International Development Fund.
HOW TO APPLY
These links will take you to the following documents which you will need to apply
to the Malawi Development Programme 2015-18:
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The Application Form for the Malawi Development Programme 2015-18
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The Guidance and Further Information on Completing an Application for the
Malawi Development Programme, which includes:
o Overview of: the Scottish Government International Development
Policy; Scottish Government International Development Fund; and its
Malawi Development programme
o The Malawi 2015-18 Funding Round Timetable
o the available budget for Malawi 2015-18, and profiling by year
o information on Submission of your Application, and the Supplementary
Evidence required
o the Essential Eligibility Criteria – please pay particular attention to this
so that you do not apply if you are not eligible
o the Assessment Criteria – for applications which meet the Essential
Eligibility Criteria
o Grant Conditions (style only)
o How to Complete your Application Form, Section by Section, plus the
Logframe and Budget Excel spreadsheet
o Annex 1: Best Practice Development Approaches
o Annex 2: Duty of Care
o Annex 3: Project Planning Supplementary Support
o Annex 4: An Example of the Likely Grant Conditions
o Annex 5: Application Support Information (FOI and Feedback)
o Annex 6: FAQs from the 2013-16 Malawi Funding Round, updated to
current Scottish Government International Development policies.
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Logframe and Budget Excel spreadsheets
We would welcome partnered applications and those with matched funding
opportunities.
Further details on selection of thematic priorities for the Malawi Development
Programme 2015-18 are set out below.
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KEY POINTS FOR APPLICANTS
PROJECT THEMES/PRIORITIES: BACKGROUND
Ownership of development priorities rests with the Government of Malawi. Only
projects which reflect the development priorities of the Government of Malawi will be
considered for funding from the Scottish Government.
For this programme we welcome project proposals which clearly support the
development priorities of Malawi, as set out in national development strategies
(e.g. Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II and the Malawi Economic
Recovery Plan).
Our International Development Policy is also clearly focused on the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and will continue that focus to the Post
2015 Sustainable Development Goals which are in the process of being defined by
the UN. Aid quality and effectiveness must always be to the forefront in delivering
aid: the Scottish Government is committed to meeting international best practice
including the Paris Declaration and BUSAN Partnership Agreement. Project
proposals must therefore also contribute to the achievement of the MDG targets,
and adhere to the principles of aid effectiveness, as set out in the Paris
Declaration and Busan outcomes document.
Demonstration of alignment with Malawi’s priorities should be accompanied by a
rigorous needs analysis or assessment which shows how these priorities reflect
needs at the level at which the project will operate.
Projects must be aligned to the four policy strands of the Scotland-Malawi Cooperation Agreement: Civic Governance and Society, Sustainable Economic
Development, Health and Education. Under the Co-operation Agreement, note
that renewable energy sits within the Sustainable Economic Development
strand.
GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI PRIORITIES FOR 2015-18 ROUND
A non-exhaustive list of project types, which may be considered in line with the policy
strand priorities, would include those highlighted by the Government of Malawi
strand leads specifically for this Malawi 2015-18 Funding Round, namely:
Sustainable Economic Development
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Agricultural Development & Value Addition
Tourism
Energy (Renewable Energy)
Environment & Natural Resources Management
Finance and Investment Promotion
Civil Society and Governance Strand
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Capacity building for the new Parliament i.e. Committee work etc.
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Institutional capacity building for the Malawi Prison Service
Support towards the fight against Corruption
Support organisations advocating for good governance and human rights
Support organisations advocating for gender equality
Support for free Paralegal services
Health Strand
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Human resources for health system strengthening
Universal coverage of essential health services
Addressing conventional and traditional determinants of health in Malawi
Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement of Essential Health Services
Education Strand
General
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Teacher training
Internal efficiency of the Primarily school structure
Decentralisation of education management
School infrastructure (new classrooms, teachers houses and latrines)
Provision of teaching and learning materials
Inclusive education
Curriculum strengthening at all levels
Bursaries to support vulnerable students (particularly Secondary school)
Up scaling of school feeding programme (particularly Primary school)
Upgrading of Community Day Secondary Schools
Introduction of more double shift schools
Higher Education
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Access to Higher education
Training of Higher education staff
Curriculum strengthening in Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational
Education and Training (“TEVET”) institutions
Cost recovery mechanisms and finance mobilisation in public universities
Public Private Partnerships
Support for capacity to strengthen procurement, financial management,
planning, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation systems.
Following discussion with the Government of Malawi, for this Malawi round 2015-18,
the Scottish Government particularly welcomes applications under:
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the economic development strand, with project proposals which will
generate income for Malawians; and
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the civic governance strand, which is currently less well represented in
terms of project numbers under our existing 2012-15 and 2013-16 Malawi
rounds.
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We are also keen to see project proposals from currently under-represented groups
such as Malawian diaspora.
Further, in the Guidance, we set out that an important aspect of our approach in both
our international development and climate justice work – and a key element of
Scotland’s global contribution – is that we want to share our knowledge, skills and
technical expertise. Scotland has world respected expertise in the agreed themes of
civic governance, sustainable economic development, education, and health.
We want to play to, and contribute globally, our expertise and strengths. We want to
share globally, for the benefit of others in Malawi, our knowledge, skills and technical
expertise: in renewable energy, finance, health, water, sanitation, education,
governance and human rights.
We have been innovative to date: we have seen this through both past and current
projects in Malawi across all four strands of the Cooperation Agreement.
We want to now further innovate in this Malawi round, and build on our approach to
international development, to realise our ambition for Scotland to be a global leader
in the field of international development, championing best practice and innovation.
Innovative proposals are therefore particularly welcomed, when accompanied
by appropriate monitoring and evaluation, to ensure that lessons can be
learned and shared.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FOR 2015-18 ROUND
We have particularly seen that innovative approach in the field of renewable energy
in Malawi. We are proud to fund the Malawi Renewable Energy Acceleration
Programme (MREAP) to empower disadvantaged communities to address their
energy needs and develop renewable energy projects. MREAP has been funded to
date through our International Development Fund, but separately from the Malawi
Development Programme.
Currently, only 9% of the Malawian population has access to electricity; that is
around 13.6 million people in Malawi living without access to modern energy
services.
Many millions of households continue to depend on the kerosene lamp for light,
causing significant health and safety issues. Although the Government of Malawi is
making positive in-roads into extending the national grid, it will be many years before
those living in rural areas of Malawi have on-grid access to electricity.
Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All)
In recent years, the UN has recognised that education, health, infrastructure,
tourism, agriculture and all other key development sectors depend on energy
access, and there is a strong likelihood that energy will feature as a key goal in the
post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.
To catalyse action towards achieving global access to clean energy by 2030, the UN
launched its Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. At the direct request of UN
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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Scotland has committed to supporting this initiative,
through sharing our world-leading expertise in renewable energy technologies.
Scotland has a wealth of expertise in the field of renewable energy. Renewable
energy sits within the economic development strand of the 2005 Co-operation
Agreement but, as above, it is increasingly recognised to extend across all four
strands. As Ban Ki-Moon has rightly identified: “Energy is the golden thread that
connects economic growth, social equity and environmental sustainability”; and
“Energy poverty is a threat to the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals. It is inequitable and unsustainable”.
That is why we are also now currently funding thought our International Development
Fund smaller innovative energy pilot projects in Malawi, which link with health and
economic development outcomes for women.
In keeping with our commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All
initiative therefore, we are keen in this round to see applications from projects
that support renewable energy access.
In this Malawi 2015-18 round, we have brought the funds earmarked for the
successor to the MREAP programme within the overall budget for this round,
to further align renewable energy within the Malawi Development Programme.
Through this Malawi Development Programme 2015-18 Funding Round therefore,
we invite applications for projects that support off-grid energy access, be it
through mini-grids, or standalone systems such as solar panels or individual
solar lanterns. Successful projects will be those that can be seen to provide energy
at the level of the household, community or public institution. Sustainability will be
absolutely crucial, and successful projects will be required to provide strong
evidence of how these systems will be supported and maintained beyond the end of
the project life.
Again, we would be keen to see more innovative renewable energy projects,
which link across the four strands.
NEEDS BASED ASSESSMENT
All applicants should ensure that they have communicated with the relevant level of
Government to ensure that their project/s are aligned with Government of Malawi
priorities and that all their projects use local systems, strengthening rather than
bypassing these systems, and building capacity where appropriate.
The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness sets out some key priorities,
commitments and targets, designed to improve not just the type of aid that is
provided, but the quality of aid work, and the way it is delivered, to help to improve its
effectiveness and reduce poverty.
Your Malawi partners should be fully involved in the planning and implementation of
the project, and have mutual accountability for the outcomes and results of the
project.
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Your project should not duplicate or cut across what others are doing, and it is your
responsibility to ensure your project is harmonised and complementary to the work
of others, such as the Department for International Development (DFID).
These priorities, commitments and targets have been reinforced by the recent
Busan Partnership for Development Co-operation outcomes document, with its
focus on ownership of development priorities, by developing countries and inclusive
development partnerships based on openness, trust and mutual respect and
learning.
You should have conducted a needs assessment on the ground, and used this to
produce a realistic and up to date baseline report, with a structured monitoring
system in place, to ensure your project will deliver real results to meet the needs on
the ground. Please note that all successful applicants will be required to
provide a baseline survey report to the Scottish Government within 6 months
of the commencing of the project; failure to provide this will mean that the Year 1
autumn payment (mid year 1 payment) cannot be made.
AVAILABLE FUND / PROJECT BUDGETS
Available Fund for 2015-18
In this Malawi 2015-18 Funding Round, the Scottish Government will again make
available for the Malawi Development Programme funding in excess of the £3 million
per annum ring fenced under our International Development Policy.
Due to the ongoing Malawi 2013-16 funding round, which will still be running in 201516, the spending profile for the Malawi Development Programme 2015-18 is:
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
Malawi 2013 16 Round
£3,175,113
£2,689,964
£2,245,711
Malawi 2015 18 Round
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£3,230,000
2016/17
2017/18
£5,330,000
£5,330,000
This means that in 2015/16, a total of £5,475,711 will have been allocated to Malawi,
but split between two separate funding rounds, ie the 2013-16 Round and the new
2015-18 Round.
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Year 1 = 23.4% (max £140,400)
Year 2 = 38.3% (max £229,800)
Year 3 = 38.3% (max £229,800)
The Scottish Government recommends that successful applicants spend time in
Year 1, where the budget is more limited, on building strong structures and effective
partnerships, as part of Best Practice Development Approaches (see Annex 1).
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Funding: project budgets
Applications of up to £600,000 - over three years - are invited, addressing the
development priorities of Malawi, and the Scottish Government International
Development Policy, as set out in this Call Notice and the accompanying Guidance.
There is no minimum limit on the budget organisations can apply for. However,
please consider whether your organisation, and the nature of your proposed project,
might be better suited to applying to the Scottish Government’s Small Grants
Programme, rather than this main Malawi Development Programme. Please see
Annex 6, p.58 of the Guidance on this, and use this link for further information on
applying this year (by 26th November) to the Small Grants Programme:
http://www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk/index.asp?cat=news&nid=418&cookies=True
Capital costs
Whilst the main focus of this Malawi Development Programme remains on poverty
alleviation and supporting progress on MDGs and in country development priorities,
we recognise that work on water and renewables may include additional elements of
capital spend. The capital costs should be kept proportionate and consistent with
the overarching focus of the project and consideration should be given to local
sourcing of capital resources and of sustainability of the capital element, once the
project ends.
The maximum that may be spent on capital costs is 15% of the overall project
budget; for renewable energy projects, the maximum that may be spent on
capital costs is 50% of the overall project budget. Capital items in a budget will be
carefully scrutinised. Please note that we will not fund the purchase of vehicles. We
may fund bicycles and motorbikes in exceptional circumstances.
Please see p.38-39 of the Guidance for further information on capital costs.
MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E)
The Scottish Government is committed to rigorous monitoring and evaluation
procedures for all Scottish Government funded activity, in line with our accountability
responsibilities. The monitoring, reporting and evaluation system for Scottish
Government funded projects is outcomes focussed and structured to enable
disaggregation of monitoring outcomes at project, programme and policy levels.
Applications to the Scottish Government International Development Fund are
assessed on their commitment and capacity to conduct thorough and rigorous
monitoring and evaluation and effective project and programme management, and
adherence to these requirements is a condition of the grant contract. All applications
are assessed by an independent contractor.
Successful applicants are required to provide six monthly reports (mid year reports)
and annual reports (end year reports) for their projects evidencing progress made
toward achieving their project outcomes and impact. Ongoing funding through the
7
years of the project is dependent on the satisfactory progress of projects against
agreed objectives.
These links will take you to the following monitoring and evaluation forms which
we are providing in advance this year, although not required at this stage for your
application to the Malawi Development Programme 2015-18. These forms will
nonetheless help you understand our monitoring and evaluation processes for
applicants who are subsequently awarded a Scottish Government conditional grant:
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Reporting template for MID year report for Malawi Development Programme
2015-18 projects
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Reporting template for END year report for Malawi Development Programme
2015-18 projects. [Please note that the final end of project report will require
more inputs].
FURTHER INFORMATION (INCL. FAQS)
FAQs from 2013-16 Malawi Round
For ease of reference a list of previously Frequently Asked Questions from the
Malawi 2013-16 Programme is available at Annex 6 of the Guidance. Before
submitting a question: please first read the Guidance, and in particular its Annex 6
which contains the FAQs from that previous Malawi funding round (now updated), to
check if this already answers your question.
New / further questions
Any further questions relating to the Malawi Development Programme application
process should be sent to the Scottish Government International Development Team
at: ian.nicol@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. All questions will be published on-line
(anonymised) and applicants should check the Scottish Government International
Development website.
There will then be an Information Day on 27th August 2014 for the Malawi
Development Programme 2015-18 (see below). Alternatively, questions may be
submitted by e-mail, by close on 29th August 2014.
Information Day session
An Information Day will be jointly hosted by the Scottish Government International
Development Team, IOD PARC, the Network of International Development
Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS) and the Scotland-Malawi Partnership (SMP) on
27th August 2014 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 80 High Street, Edinburgh.
Any questions and associated corresponding answers raised from this event, or
emailed in by close on 29th August, will be posted on the Scottish Government
International Development website, by cop 5th September 2014.
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Final Questions
Applicants will have a further opportunity to submit questions to the Scottish
Government, by cop 12th September 2014. All questions in that second round will be
responded to by cop 19th September 2014, via display on the Scottish Government
International Development website.
Summary on FAQs
In summary, there will be two formal rounds of FAQs as follows:
Round 1
Questions to be submitted by cop
29th August 2014 (2 days after
Information Day)
Answers to be posted by cop 5th
September 2014
Round 2
Questions to be submitted by cop
12th September 2014
Answers to be posted by cop 19th
September 2014
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FUNDING ROUND TIMETABLE
5th August 2014
Opening of funding round
Information Day: Scottish Government, IOD PARC, NIDOS
27th August 2014
& SMP
Deadline for first queries to Scottish Government
cop 29th August 2014
Deadline for first queries to be answered by Scottish
cop 5th September
Government
Deadline for second queries to Scottish Government
cop 12th September 2014
Deadline for second queries to be answered by Scottish
cop 19th September 2014
Government
3rd
Application deadline
2:00 on
2014
Notification of outcome/announcement
January 2015
Award of funding / feedback to applicants
March 2015
Project Start Date
From 1st April 2015
Scottish Government
International Development Team
05 August 2014
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October