2. SGWI Sample Cover Page_Proposal Narrative Instructions.docx

S/GWI Proposal Narrative Instructions and Cover Page

All project proposals for S/GWI funding must include a cover page, table of contents and project narrative amongst other documents. Please see the NOFO document for the full list of required and optional documents to be submitted for S/GWI applications. Below are further instructions on completing the cover page, table of contents and project narrative for S/GWI applications. The cover page and the table of contents are not to exceed 1 page each. The Proposal Narrative must not exceed 15 pages in total.

Cover Page (not to exceed one [1] page; does not count towards 15-page limit)

Please use the Sample Project Summary Cover Page below to include high-level overview information detailed further in the proposal narrative.

Sample Project Summary Cover Page:

Site(s)/Location(s):

(Indicate the specific areas where the project will occur)

Number and Type of Beneficiaries:

(Direct beneficiaries are the recipients of project programming, while indirect beneficiaries are further removed from project activities but still benefit from project results) # Direct:

# Indirect:

Applicant Co-Funding:

From Other Donors:

From Beneficiary Community:

Total Funding for Project:

Project Goal:

(Please see the Narrative Instructions document for guidance on how to draft a goal statement)

Project Objectives:

(Please see the Narrative Instructions document for guidance on how to draft project objectives) Objective 1:

Objective 2:

Objective 3:

Table of Contents (not to exceed one [1] page; does not count towards 15-page word count)

The Table of Contents should list all sections included in the Project Narrative with page numbers. Additionally, it should list the title of the other application package documents as annexes/tabs (i.e., Annex/Tab 1: Summary and Detailed Budget).

Section 1: Executive Summary (not to exceed one [1] page; does not count towards 15-page word count)

Use this section to provide a brief snapshot of the project, including goal, objectives, key activities, and target countries/regions.

Section 2: Background

Use this section to provide the background for the problem or opportunity the project is seeking to address. Applicants should provide:

· Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed project is needed.

· Policy Alignment: A brief history of the issue and relevant facts or statistics, and how the proposed project aligns with U.S. foreign policy goals, Congressional directives, strategies described under the announcement.

· Context Analysis: An analysis of the problem or opportunity that demonstrates an understanding the complexity of the situation. This should include a brief discussion of the implementation context(s) including any relevant details on the socio-political environment and target beneficiaries (this should not include refugees or IDP camps[footnoteRef:1]), and the challenges of programming and/or service provision in the identified geographic area and target issue area(s) [1: S/GWI funds are different from, but are intended to complement, other USG funds that working specifically with refugee camp populations.]

· Relevant Current Efforts: A brief description of ongoing donor, government, private sector or non-governmental organization (NGO) work addressing the problem and any gaps in current programming. As relevant, demonstrate how the project will address a need, fill a gap, complement existing efforts, etc.

Section 3: Program Goals and Objectives

Include a brief description of the relationship between the problems or opportunities and the proposed project and its intended impact. Indicate the project goal in bold font, and two to three objectives.

Differentiating Goals and Objectives: Goals are broad statements, whereas objectives are concrete and viewed as targets under the broader goal. Progress towards a goal can be measured by setting tangible objectives with clear timelines. Achievement of objectives is attributable to project activities.

Below is a table of key differences between goals and objectives:

Goal: The overall intent of the project to which project activities are expected to contribute.

Objectives: S/GWI projects usually have two to three objectives (two is the minimum). Objectives define the change that a project intends to achieve.

Unidimensional (one result per objective).

Described as an achievement, and not an activity or process.

Section 4: Methodology and Implementation

4.1: Project Description Use this section to provide a clear description of the project implementation strategy. Please be sure to:

· List key activities that will be implemented to achieve objectives. Outline specific, focused activities and identify how, where (e.g., geographic locations and level: local, national, etc.), and who will participate in each activity.

· Demonstrate how the proposed activities relate and are logically sequenced to achieve objectives.

· Explain the anticipated results from the key activities. Applicants should tailor or add to results in the NOFO based on their specific approach and interventions proposed.

· Indicate how community perspectives contributed to the proposed project activities. Note: Applicants must demonstrate how local partners will be engaged in project design and implementation, and where possible, list the names of proposed partners.

· Demonstrate why the proposed approach and key activities are thorough, complete, and feasible.

4.2: Project Methods and Design Explain how the project was designed and will be implemented (how the project is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal). How did the findings of your gender and inclusion analysis and risk assessment influence your approach? Does your idea incorporate all relevant stakeholders and community members? How does your idea empower the target populations to inform the program? How will your implementation approach learn throughout implementation and adapt to best address the actual context?

4.3: Profile of the Target Population & Inclusion Define the target population(s) and how you intend to meaningfully include in project activities historically marginalized and underserved communities or individuals who often are discriminated against or excluded from decision-making. This should specify what type of steps will be taken to enable and facilitate their participation. This may include a discussion of various factors, such as geographic area, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, race, ethnicity, education level, income level and/or local language. If the proposed project will engage multiple beneficiary groups, please indicate which groups are considered primary constituents (those will benefit directly from the project on the regular basis), and which are secondary constituents (those will benefit from the project indirectly). Please note your description in this section should align with the breakdown of the direct beneficiaries mentioned on the Proposal Narrative Template cover page. Which GNDR Foreign Assistance Standard indicators (FA indicators) be utilized?

4.4: Value for Money Provide a brief analysis of why the proposed project is cost-effective. Applicants are encouraged to consider the relationship between their proposed funding amount requested and the impact that the project will have on direct and indirect beneficiaries. What is the anticipated multiplier effect of your proposed activities? How will work adapt to address reality in implementation?

4.5: Sustainability Explain how project efforts and/or achievements with be sustained beyond the life of the project. Applicants should:

· Briefly describe your exit or transition strategy, which either wraps up the activity after accomplishing the intended results or demonstrates how the activity will continue after S/GWI funding ends. Please consider financial, social, institutional, and organizational sustainability.

· Indicate any informal cohort development, networks, or training of trainers that should endure beyond the S/GWI funding.

· Indicate how project activities will promote, strengthen, and include local organizations that can champion concepts, practices, and changes beyond the life of the award.

· Describe the project’s potential ability to respond and adapt to unforeseen changes.

Section 5: Organizational Capacity and Program Partners

5.1: Organizational Capacity and Program Partners Describe the organizational history (past and present operations) and experience of the applicant. Please address the NOFO “Demonstrating Organization Capacity,” “Organization Criteria,” and consider:

· Where possible, demonstrate success in similar programming in the geographic area(s), including information on all previous federal awards.

· Where sub-recipients are proposed, applicants must describe how the sub-recipients will be organized/managed to use complementary capabilities most effectively, to minimize duplication, and maximize resources for direct project activities. Indicate how the organizational and technical capacities and relevant expertise of the sub-organizations will be strengthened from partnership.

· When applicants are working with partners, describe what previous relationship exists, partners’ commitment to the proposed work, and to what specific activities the partners will contribute.

· Applicants must demonstrate an ability to provide appropriate resources and support for the psychosocial health of staff (i.e., access to educational materials, training opportunities, counseling services, or other contextually-relevant support).

· References: For reference to international guidance, please see the following: Core Humanitarian Standard Commitment 8.9 (https://corehumanitarianstandard.org/files/files/CHS-Guidance-Notesand-Indicators.pdf); and

· IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings Action Sheet 4.4 (http://www.who.int/mental_health/emergencies/guidelines_iasc_mental_health_psychosocial_june_2007.pdf).

5.2: Team Composition and Capacity In this section, describe the structure of the team. The team should be well qualified in relevant areas for technical leadership and project management to carry out the proposed methodology and activities, including the ability to monitor and report on proposed activities. The team must include expertise in working towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. Please also briefly note which position(s) will be designated as Key Personnel.

Details on the specific qualifications of Key Personnel must be provided in a separate attachment (not to exceed 1-page, single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font in Microsoft Word, with a minimum of 1-inch margins) and should also be noted, as appropriate, in the budget narrative. Where available, S/GWI welcomes applicants to submit the resumes or CVs of Key Personnel as additional attachments with their proposal. The Key Personnel attachment does not count towards the page limit for the Proposal Narrative.