GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY SMALL GRANT PROGRAMME (GEF-SGP) United Nations Development Programme Project Concept Paper Overview

Preparation and submission of a Concept Paper is the first step in the application process for GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) support. A concept paper is a brief description of the idea of the project no more than two pages long , which is reviewed by the GEF-SGP National Coordinator. The National Coordinator can then discuss the idea with the proposing organisation and others, and can advise you whether or not the idea can be considered for GEF-SGP support. The Concept Paper is intended to begin a dialogue between potential project implementers and the GEF-SGP to clarify and refine project ideas, before the investment by the proposer of substantial time and resources into fully elaborated proposal development. In some cases, the GEF-SGP will be able to provide small amounts of financial support, known as Planning Grants, after a Concept Paper has been accepted. These Planning Grants are intended to help turn a concept into a full proposal, and can be used to fund community consultations and processes, consultants if needed, and other costs of project development. If you have any questions about the eligibility of your idea for GEF-SGP support, or about the preparation of the Concept Paper or Project Proposal, do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Pamela Bapoo-Dundoo National Coordinator The GEF Small Grants Programme (UNDP) 4th Floor, C&R Court 49, Labourdonnais Street Port Louis Tel: 213-5384, Fax: 212-1411 E-mail:pamela.bapoo.dundoo@undp.org Website: http://sgp.undp.org/

Instructions The concept proposal should be in a straightforward narrative form, typed using font Arial 11 and line spacing 1.5, on one side of not more than 2 A4 sheets, plus the standard cover sheet. Any charts or diagrams will be counted as part of the page limit. Please ensure that the document is easily readable. Each page should have the name of the project on it, along with a page number and date. Note that fancy presentations, papers, or the use of sophisticated or colour graphics will not be considered to your advantage. Submit one original of the Concept Paper to the GEF-SGP National Coordinator. Do not bind the document, as it will be photocopied. Keep a copy of your paper for your own records as the one you submit will not be returned. In preparing the Concept Paper, you should follow the format provided below, briefly addressing the key factors impacting GEF-SGP eligibility: project purpose and intended environmental and sustainable livelihood impacts, relevance to country and global GEF-SGP strategies (including GEF focal area eligibility), community participation, proposer capacity.

Concept Paper Cover Sheet Country: Submission Date: .

Project Title: APPLICANT Name of Organisation: Mailing Address: Street Address: Telephone Fax: E-mail: Principal Officer: Project Contact: PROJECT GEF-SGP Focal Area (check one category)  Biodiversity  Climate change  International Waters GEF-SGP Operational Programme GEF-SGP Activity Category (check one category) OP # 1-14  Demonstration Project  Capacity Building Project  Applied Research & Policy Analysis  Information, Networking & Policy Dialogue (name and position) (name and position)

Proposed Starting Date: Proposed Project Duration: FINANCES Total GEF-SGP Request: (Rs.) Total Project Costs: (Rs.) ...(US $) (US$)

Concept Project Proposal Content Outline Note: This outline contains many points which may be addressed in each section. These are provided as example. Do not feel that you need to address every point in detail. You will have the opportunity to do so in the full Proposal. For the Concept Paper, each section may consist of one or two concise paragraphs. I. Briefly describe your organisation and other organisations which would participate in implementing the project. Address questions such as

j What is the principal purpose of your organisation? j How long has it been in existence? j What other activity does your organisation conduct? j Is your organisation j A Non-Governmental Organisation duly registered with the Registrar of Associations? j A community- based organisation? j A national or sub national NGO with headquarters in the country? j A small Cooperative duly registered with the Registrar of Cooperatives? j Is the organisation a member of any NGO associations or umbrella groupings? j Is your organisation particularly concerned with   Women? Another specific population group?

j What is the organisations total annual budget? What are the sources of funding for the organisation? j What previous experience does the organisation have that is specifically relevant to the proposed project, including experience in  Implementing projects that address problems of global warming, loss of biodiversity, pollution of international waters, land degradation and persistent organic pollutants (POPs)?  Implementing projects that focus on the relationship of environmental protection to building sustainable livelihoods at the community level?  Fostering community participation and commitment to development and environmental protection initiatives on a sustainable basis?  Working with the particular techniques or technologies being proposed for this project?  Working with the specific communities which will be participating in and affected by the proposed project?

II.

What is the goal of the project?

Discuss the problem that the project will address and the end result that the project is designed to achieve. In answering this question, you should refer as directly as possible to the programming priorities set forth in the GEF-SGP Country Programme Strategy. It is essential that you read and understand these priorities and ensure that your proposal is fully responsive. Proposals which do not correspond to the established criteria and priorities, regardless of their merit, will not be funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme. Indicate if the project is related to other initiatives or communities, NGOs, government, the GEF (including GEF-SGP), or other institutions. III. What are the main activities that the project will involve? How will they be carried out?

Identify the main activities (for example a series of training programmes, or the demonstration of an appropriate technology) and show how these activities will lead to the achievement of the projects goals. IV. How will you ensure that affected communities and other stakeholders participate fully in the project? The extent of community involvement is one of the most critical indicators of project success. The quality of your involvement with the community, and your ability to articulate it clearly in the proposal will be a major factor in funding decisions. You should describe how stakeholders in the affected communities will be (and have been) involved with the project:    as part of its planning and design; in its implementation; in assessing, monitoring, and evaluating its effectiveness and impact.

Note that community participation means much more than how the community will benefit from the project. It refers to active involvement and ownership by an appropriate spectrum of people, including in particular women and indigenous peoples.

V.

What is your best estimate of how much the project will cost? How much would you like the GEF-SGP to contribute? What other potential or committed funding sources are there?