Project Narrative Instructions (1).docx

Project Narrative Template Instructions

All project proposals being considered for funding must include a completed project narrative. We recommend using the enclosed Project Narrative Template. Below are instructions on completing the template followed by the template itself.

Cover Page

Please complete the cover page of the Project Narrative Template as the last step when submitting the proposal. This will serve as a summary page and will contain a high-level overview of information detailed in the remainder of the project narrative.

Section 1: Background

1: Background (Recommended maximum 500 words) Use this section to provide the background for the problem or opportunity the project is seeking to address. Applicants should provide:

· A brief history of the issue and relevant facts or statistics

· An analysis of the problem or opportunity that demonstrates an understanding of the needs, the complexity of the situation, and the challenges of programming and/or service provision in the identified geographic area and target issue area(s)

· Information on how this issue links to UN Security Resolution 1325 if applicable and

· A brief description of other ongoing donor, government, private sector or non-governmental organization (NGO) activities to address the identified problem and any gaps in current programming responses.

Section 2: Project Approach

2: Goals and Objectives (Recommended maximum 250 words) Include a brief description of the relationship between the problems or opportunities identified in Section 1 and the proposed project and its intended impact. Next indicate the project goal in bold font, and list two to three objectives associated with achieving this goal using the guidance below.

Differentiating Goals and Objectives: The terms goals and objectives are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between the two, mainly in terms of their level of concreteness. Goals are a broad statement, whereas objectives are concrete and viewed as targets under the general goal. Also, because goals tend to be lofty in nature, it is not possible to measure the accomplishment of one’s goals. Progress towards a goal can be measured by setting tangible objectives with clear timelines, which are possible to measure. Achievement of objectives is attributable to project activities.

Below is a table delineating the key differences between goals and objectives:

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

Objectives: Successful projects usually have two to three objectives (two is the minimum). Objectives define the change that a project intends to achieve and for which the implementer is held accountable.

Unidimensional (one result per objective).

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

Section 3: Methodology and Implementation

3.1: Project Description (Recommended maximum 1000 words) Building on the approach presented in Section 2, use this section to provide a clear description of the project implementation strategy. Please be sure to:

· List key activities that will be carried out to achieve the proposed objectives. Be sure to outline specific, focused activities and identify how and where (e.g., geographic locations and level: local, national, etc.) the activities will be implemented as well as who will participate in each activity.

· Demonstrate how the proposed activities build upon one another and are logically sequenced in order to achieve the desired objectives.

· Explain the anticipated results that are expected to come from the key activities. While example results are included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), applicants should tailor or add to those results based on their specific approach and interventions proposed. This may include the intended impact on the problem defined in Section 1.

· Indicate how perspectives of target communities have contributed to the proposed project activities. Note: When feasible, it is preferable that local partners are engaged in project design and implementation.

· Demonstrate why the proposed approach and key activities are thorough, complete and feasible. Applicants may emphasize why their proposed programming is feasible from an economic, financial and social perspective.

3.2: Innovation (Recommended maximum 250 words) Indicate why the project idea is innovative, and explain what is new and unique about the approach to the specific problem or opportunity. Some questions to consider:

· How does your idea differ substantially from existing solutions in the proposed context or what has been done historically?

· Does your idea incorporate nontraditional stakeholders, deliver content in new ways, or expose the target population to new opportunities?

· Are you applying expertise from outside the topic area?

3.3: Profile of the Target Population (Recommended maximum 250 words) Define the target population, this may include geographic area, age, gender, education level, income level and if relevant, ethnic group 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 that your description in this section should align with the breakdown of the direct beneficiaries mentioned on the Proposal Narrative Template cover page.

3.4: Risks Assessment (Recommended maximum 250 words) Identify any risks that may have an impact on the success of the proposed project, and identify a mitigation plan to manage these potential risks.

Section 4: Value and Long-term Impact

4.1: Value for Money (Recommended maximum 250 words) 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.

4.2: Sustainability (Recommended maximum 250 words) Explain how project efforts with be sustained beyond the life of the project. Applicants should:

· Briefly describe their exit or transition strategy, which either wraps up the activity after accomplishing the intended results, or demonstrates how the activity will continue after US government funding ends. Please consider not only the financial sustainability of project efforts, but also social, institutional and organizational sustainability.

· Indicate any informal cohort development, networks, or training of trainers that will be developed during the project to endure beyond the funding cycle.

· If applicable, indicate how project activities will promote, strengthen and be supported by local organizations that can champion concepts, practices and changes beyond the life of the award.

· Describe their project’s potential ability to respond and adjust to changes in scale

Section 5: Organizational and Team Capabilities

5.1: Organizational Experience (Recommended maximum 250 words) In this section, please describe the organizational history and experience of the applicant. Please consider:

· Where possible, the applicant should demonstrate its success in supporting similar programming in the geographic area(s) identified in the NOFO.

· If sub-recipients are proposed, applicants must describe how the sub-recipients will be organized and managed to use the complementary capabilities most effectively, and to minimize duplication of management structures and maximize resources committed to direct project activities. Indicate how the organizational and technical capacities of the sub-organizations that will be strengthened as a result of the partnership.

· In cases where applicants are working with partners, describe what previous relationship exists with these partners, partners’ commitment to the proposed effort, and to what specific activities the partners will contribute.

5.2: Team Composition and Capacity (Recommended maximum 250 words) In this section, describe the structure of the team. The team should be well-qualified in relevant disciplines and areas for technical leadership, project management and professional staff positions to carry out the proposed program methodology and activities, including the ability to monitor and report on proposed activities.