Small grants "Good Governance Initiative Fund"

Recommendations for the project development

The results of the analysis of applications submitted during the 1^st series of the project showed that EFCA received several applications that had a poor connection with the concept of good governance. We recommend you to take into consideration the following recommendations:

• By writing an application it is necessary to pay special attention to the criteria above, since the application will be considered based on the compliance with these criteria.

• Based on the objectives of the grant program, the events on the improvement/ optimization of public services will be funded. The program does not finance the services of the NGO, even if they are innovative. The NGO services are important, and there were presented many interesting ideas, but this program, unfortunately, cannot support them.

A brief sample 1 (Good, but not appropriate for ISGG (ИПЭУ)):

Problem – the absence of a rehabilitation center for children and young people with mental disorders.

Proposed solution: Opening of the preschool mini-center: for parents-opportunity to work, and for developing the skills of the children. For the young people the workshop will be organized with different circles - creative, sports, labor, sewing, computer circles. Organization of events in the city park of culture will attract the attention of the media and public to the problems of the families with mental disabled children. Children and young people will visit the city swimming pool of the "Sport City Club", where on Sundays with the instructions of the coach they would learn to swim. Jointly with the "Department of employment and social programs", those children and young people will be provided with the special taxi.

Comments of the grant committee members:

-Lack of stability and long-term in the project. Work at the center has short-term plans, without prospects for the future.

-It is not excluded that subsequently the Center will be closed if the funding will be stopped.

- Absence of innovativeness in the problem solution

- The project focuses entirely on the provision of the direct services to beneficiaries.

- No interaction with representatives of governmental agencies for solving the problem at the system level ("at the root").

A brief sample 2 (Successful example)

Problem - the absence of a rehabilitation center for children and young people with mental disorders.

Proposed Solution: launching the mechanism of a sustainable lobbying, submission of a draft set of proposals in Parliament of the RK, consolidation of efforts of lobbying parliamentary group. To increase the awareness of the wide range of interested parties, formation of the positive public opinion on the amendments to the legislative acts of the RK on the creation of the rehabilitation centers for the people with disabilities. To conduct the open public hearings for developing the joint recommendations in changing the legislation, and to present these recommendations to the deputies of the Parliament.

Comments of the grant committee members:

- Stable and long term project. By positive decision the public funding will be provided for creating this  center.

- There is a systematic approach for solving the problem;

- Includes the interaction with representatives of governmental agencies and other interested parties for solving the problem at the system level ("at the root") and etc.

There is a high interest in the project. The last time 433 applications were received. Imagine yourself in the place of the independent expert of the grant committee, who deducts such number of applications. What should be done to make the expert's tired eyes glisten?  You should  offer a brilliant idea that will glisten from the masses! Do not be lazy; take the time for founding an interesting and innovative ideas. Explore the international experience, the best practice of the systemic solution of various problems; think on possibilities of adapting them into our country. Everyone likes when they are shown an interesting constructive solutions, and governmental agencies are not exclusion.

Do not write a lot. Be precise, and logical. Again, considering the large number of applications, describe your idea briefly but as clearly as possible, so that the evaluator does not have any additional questions.  

If you have already participated in the first grant competition and does not received funding, but still consider  your idea perfectly consistent with the aims of the program of GGIF, reanalyze it, how you can improve it taking into consideration your received scores and given recommendations, and submit it again.

Application Procedure:

1. Fill in Annex 1 - "FORM OF THE CONCEPT" (the form can be downloaded from the website at www.ef-ca.kz and www.ngoexpert.kz, , or requested by e-mail konkurs@ef-ca.org

 Send your application to the following email address: konkurs@ef-ca.org with the note:

"Application-ISGG –name of your organization_(select thematic area)”

For example: “ISGG_ Inclusive Education_people with diasbilities”.

1. Applications should be sent in Russian or in Kazakh languages.

Since the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia is interested in receiving high-quality applications, the applicants can ask clarifying questions about the procedure and other details of the contest by e-mail konkurs@ef-ca.org or phone +7 (727) 250 18 10.

    Working hours of EFCA: from Monday - Friday from 9.00 - 18.00. Lunch time: 12.30 - 13.30

DEADLINE FOR THE CONCEPT/PROJECT IDEAS

4^th September 2015, 18:00 (Astana time)