Call for Concept notes Climate Resilient Food Security

Transcription

1 Call for Concept notes Climate Resilient Food Security Introduction The Results strategy for Sweden s international development cooperation with Mozambique ( ) emphasizes the need for increased focus on the impacts of climate change, in particular with regards to sustainable food security through climate smart agriculture. The Embassy of Sweden Mozambique, hereafter the Embassy, therefore wishes to assess the possibility for supporting initiatives targeting food security with a particular focus on climate smart agriculture. In order to identify new ideas and innovative approaches to tackling the issue of food security in face of climate change challenges, the Embassy is interested in supporting a few selected national and/or international non-profit organizations with high capacity to contribute to sustainable food security through climate smart agriculture. The overall aim of the intervention will be to address the issue of food security through a broad definition, targeting one or more of the four key elements of food security; economic and social access to food, availability of food, utilization of food; and stability. Thus, the intervention does not need to only focus on agricultural practices only. The intention is to obtain this through setting up a program that will fund 3-8 organizations to implement complimentary projects that will be interlinked in order to harness various organizations specific expertise. The intervention will be managed by one organization which is foreseen to have vast experience in the field of grant management and rural development. The intervention is expected to be initiated in late 2017 with an implementation period of five years (end of 2022). The tentative total budget ceiling for the intervention is SEK , including administrative costs. The purpose of this Call for Concept notes is therefore to launch the process of identifying qualified and interested organizations willing to develop and implement a project and/or take on the managing role in the planned intervention. Interested organizations are therefore welcome to submit their Concept Notes to the Embassy no later than 26 th of February Please see below for more detailed information regarding the background to the proposed intervention, criteria for applicants, and scope of the Concept note. Background Mozambique is ranked as the third most vulnerable country in Africa to climate change. To Mozambique, where the majority of the population reside in the rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, climate change poses serious challenges for rural households food security. Small-scale farmers make up the backbone of Mozambique s agricultural production. With few resources, these farmers operate on the margin, lacking the capacity to prevent and manage the negative impacts of climate change. The lack of a buffer makes small-scale farmers risk-averse an 1

2 limits their possibilities to experiment with and tap into new methods and innovations that could strengthen their resilience. At the same time, the current economic crisis and exchange rate devaluation highlight the vulnerability of Mozambique s import dependency on food for the country s urban population. The weak exchange rate also opens up a window of opportunity for local produce to compete with imported goods. As a key sector for the country s development, the agricultural sector s vast undeveloped potential should be strengthened in order to withstand the impacts of climate change while capitalizing on the economic opportunities. The intention with this Call for Concept notes is to open up for support to a range of different projects that can complement each other and create synergies. Innovative approaches that potentially could be scaled up in the future are also welcomed. Intervention Target groups and objective: The main objective of the intervention will be to increase the resilience of small-scale farmers who have the potential to develop their agricultural production, but whose livelihoods are exposed to climate change impacts and lack the ability to cope with negative shocks. Based on the recently completed research project Reality Checks- Mozambique 1, poor households can be divided into three layers: 1) the destitute; 2) the poor; 3) the better-off. The intervention should target the second and third layers of poor in order to strengthen them and reduce their risk of falling down the ladder. Furthermore, experiences from research also point to that the most important safety net for the poorest households is the resilience of the wider local community as this group of poor often depend on the community for their survival. To support the second and third layer of poor can therefore have a positive impact also on the destitute. Women are the intervention s primary target group. Overall objective: Sustainable food security with particular focus on climate smart agriculture, based on the four dimensions of improved food security 2. Depending on the food security dimension(s) targeted by the proposed concept, proposed results may include the following outcomes: Diversified livelihoods and increased access to monetary incomes, savings and / or other forms of safety nets Improved agricultural production in terms of volume, nutritional quality and environmental impact 1 Links to Reality Check reports English: Portuguese: Pobreza---Constatacoes-da-Realidade--sys/ 2 Dimensions of food security: Dimension 1: Economic and social access to food improved Dimension 2: Increased availability of food Dimension 3: Improved utilization of food Dimension 4: Improved stability of access to- and availability of food 2

3 Improved knowledge of climate change impacts and capacity amongst smallholders to plan and implement strategies to cope with these Improved capacity of smallholders to adopt climate smart methods and crops that improve resilience and/or nutrition Behavioral change, with a specific aim for improved nutrition status as well as food security both at household level and within households Intervention set- up To allow for a holistic approach to tackle the identified problem, the intervention will capitalize on different organizations complimentary expertise in the field of food security, climate change and climate smart agriculture. This will be done by appointing one organization to coordinate and lead the intervention which will consist of several complimentary projects implemented by selected organizations. A managing organization (MO) will therefore be identified to manage the funds and to be the Swedish Embassy s formal agreement partner. The MO will be responsible for the overall coordination of the projects that will be implemented by implementing organizations (IOs). The number of IOs will depend on the concepts submitted but it is expected that 3-8 will be selected (including the MOs own concept). Each individual project should target one or more of the dimensions of food security and the associated results, but does not need to cover all four. Timing and scope of the intervention The aim is that the intervention should be implemented from late 2017 to There should be a clear exit strategy from the start and outcomes should be self-sustained after the end of the program. The intervention has a tentative total budget ceiling of SEK , which should be divided amongst the 3-8 selected complementary projects and also cover monitoring and the administration costs for the management of the intervention. There is no predefined geographical scope, but suggested areas in the Concepts should consider the following: - vulnerability to negative climate change impacts - potential for agricultural production and geographical access to markets Focus areas of the proposed projects should take into consideration the relevant cross-cutting priorities and selection criteria presented below. Cross-cutting priorities The following cross-cutting priorities will be considered by the Embassy in the Concept note selection process and given high priority during the program design, implementation and follow-up processes: Sustainability: A market development approach is preferred since it is seen as key in relation to long term economic sustainability. Market development approaches should be feminist, i.e. structured in such a manner that enables both men and women to participate 3

4 Gender equality: The intervention should be gender sensitive and built around equal rights and opportunities for women, men, girls and boys: proposed solutions must take into account different social expectations, norms and access to time and resources, and be suitable to female beneficiaries specific abilities Environment and climate change integration: Minimizing risks of negative impacts on the environment and climate change should be considered, as well as optimizing positive environmental and climate change impacts, taking into account the differentiated impact on women and men. Including efficient and resilient energy management throughout the agri- food system, from production to consumption Ownership: The intervention should be planned and implemented in close dialogue and coordination with local authorities, communities and other relevant stakeholders, to create ownership, synergies and optimize the overall result Results-based management: Another key aspect is the design of a solid Result Based Management (RBM) system together with an organizational structure that permits continuous implementation adjustments if needed Value for money: Value for money should be one of the dimensions, with an emphasis on cost effectiveness, efficiency and complementarity with other interventions in the program. Degree of existing organizational structures to limit the proportion of funds devoted to setting-up administration will also be considered, as well as avoiding overlap with other existing interventions and crowding of donor funds Concept notes Should an organization be interested in being considered for both the role as Managing Organization (MO) and as Implementing Organization (IO), it should submit two separate Concept notes (one for the role as MO and one for the role as IO). Concept notes for Implementing Organizations (IO) In the Concept note the organization should express its views on how the objective and indicative results should be achieved. The concept note should not go into detail on how the project will be implemented, but should give an overall understanding of what the organization wants to do and the theory of change, who the drivers of change could be and possible result indicators (qualitative and quantitative). The applicant should bear in mind that the available funds will be allocated amongst 3-8 organizations, and this should be reflected in the proposed scale of the project(s). Ideas on how the proposed intervention can be scaled up or down depending on the available funds are welcome, but not necessary. The project can be implemented in collaboration with local third parties, but concepts should not be submitted by consortiums. As the administrative responsibilities will be shouldered by the managing organization, no overhead costs should be budgeted for at the IO level. It is important that the Concept note is aligned with the organization s own vision and strategy and that there are clear references to relevant previous experience. 4

5 The concept note (English, maximum 10 pages, Calibri 11) should have following contents: i) Intervention approach including indicative results and budget (max 5 pages) ii) Organizational track record in the field of food security, rural development, climate resilience and gender in Mozambique and/or in the region (max 3 pages) iii) Organizational information (max 2 pages): - Name of applicant organization - Legal status (Legal registration number, country and year of registration) - Current organizational and management structure - Postal address - Name of contact person - - Telephone - Reference to previous interventions implemented by the organization, including contact information to reference persons. Criteria for applicant The applicant should be a national or international non-profit organization that is currently active in Mozambique. The applicant should have working experience in some of the following areas: o food security o climate resilience or o climate smart agriculture The applicant should have experience in rural development working directly with small-scale farmers and demonstrated capacity for project management. The applicant should not be a consortium of organizations. Organizations are asked to submit concepts independently. Concept notes Managing Organization (MO) In the Concept note the organization should express its perspective on the context of food security and climate smart agriculture in Mozambique, and how the objective and indicative results of the intervention could be achieved, preferably giving reference to relevant existing evidence. The Concept note should not go into detail on how the intervention will be designed or implemented, but it should give an understanding on how the organization will take on the management role to optimize the overall result achievement. The role of the MO includes the following: -Grant Management of the IOs, which requires that the MO has routines, resources and competence to assess and follow-up management and organizational capacity, including financial and results management -Lead, coordinate and submit the development of the full program proposal -Ensure that the program follows RBM principles - Create cost effectiveness and efficiency (synergies between organizations and projects) -Facilitate knowledge exchange between the IOs as well as other relevant stakeholders -Maintain continuous dialogue with relevant authorities -Responsible for the overall administration of the program 5

6 - Manage the agreement with the Embassy, including financial and narrative reporting for the entire program, coordination and follow-up meetings, regular communication, etc. -Establish and coordinate linkages between the various projects implemented by the IOs -Responsible for the overall design and oversight of the monitoring and evaluation system (including setting baselines) for the program, and follow up of projects implemented by the IOs It is important that the Concept note is aligned with the organization s vision and strategy and that there are clear references to previous relevant experience. The Concept note (English, maximum 10 pages, Calibri 11) should have following contents: i) Intervention approach, including context analysis, challenges, opportunities and how the management role could optimize the overall intervention outcome (max 5 pages) ii) Organizational track record in the field of grant management, rural development, climate resilience and gender in Mozambique and similar countries in the region (max 3 pages) iii) Organizational information (max 2 pages): - Name of applicant organization - Legal status (Legal registration number, country and year of registration) - Current organizational and management structure - Postal address - Name of contact person - - Telephone - Reference to previous interventions implemented by the organization, including contact information to reference persons. Criteria for applicant The applicant should be a national or international non-profit organization that is currently present in Mozambique, since at least three years The applicant should have legal status in Mozambique The applicant should have demonstrated experience and established systems and routines for working with grant management, including financial control, forwarding of funds, monitoring and evaluation, and organizational capacity development of grantees The applicant should have experience in rural development, preferably within food security and climate resilience and working directly with small-scale farmers The applicant should have a professional accounting system and a robust administration system including procurement systems The applicant should have, or be willing to develop, a policy framework that specifically addresses gender, environmental and an anti-corruption The applicant should be governed by an independent decision making body, with clear separated functions Submission and selection process The Concept note should be submitted, in English, no later than 26 th of February to the following e- mail address: ambassaden.maputo@gov.se, making reference to Climate Resilient Food Security. 6

7 Any questions can be submitted to until 6 th of February. Answers will be published on the Embassy website, no later than 16 th of February. No questions will be taken over phone or in meetings. The Embassy will internally assess the received Concept notes that fulfil the above criteria. Assuming that suitable Concept notes have been submitted, an MO will be selected to manage the program and enter into agreement with the Embassy. The MO and the Embassy will shortlist a number of Concept notes submitted by IOs. Thereafter, the MO will submit a brief program design proposal which should include the selected Concept notes to the Embassy. Once approved, the Embassy and the MO enter into a short term agreement (4-5 months) for the development of the full program proposal, including funding to cover related expenses. The MO will take the lead and enter into discussions with the selected IOs and development of full project proposals during the 2 nd quarter of The aim is that the agreement between the Embassy and MO for the entire program ( ) will be signed in October Subsequently the MO will enter into agreements with selected IOs. Please note that organizations that were not selected will be notified, but no individual feedback will be given. If the selected MO also has submitted an IO Concept note, the Embassy will initiate the selection process by reviewing its IO concept note in comparison with the other applicants and decide if it qualifies to be selected or not. Thereafter, the other IOs concept notes will be short listed by the Embassy together with the MO. The Embassy could decide not to enter into an agreement if the final proposal and/or the MO do not fulfil expectations and requirements. In that case the intervention will end after the first agreement. Process time-line: Last day of submission for concepts MO is identified by the Embassy MO and Embassy enter into short term agreement for development of program proposal Embassy in collaboration with the MO select IOs MO drafts the detailed program document together with IOs Final program proposal submitted to Embassy Internal appraisal process at the Embassy Agreement Embassy and MO Agreement MO and IOs Implementation start 26 February mid-march March March-April April - May June June-August October November December 7