Request for Proposal from GKP Members

Small Seed Grant for ICT enabled Innovative Incubation
 
 
Executive Summary
 
GKP Secretariat aims at supporting ICT enabled innovative ideas or projects. Considering that it takes more than just early stage risk capital to get any initiative off the ground – GKP Secretariat aims to provide small seed grant funds for
 
1)  Supporting any innovative initiative /project driven by the GKP member:
2)  Nurturing such initiative and
3)  Taking it to potential donor for scaled up funding
 
Addressing this issue, GKP Secretariat (GKPS) invites call for proposal for providing region specific small seed grant as a support for ICT enabled innovative ideas to 8 Regional Networks of GKP -namely

1)      Europe
2)      East Asia
3)      Latin America and the Caribbean
4)      Middle East and North Africa
5)      Oceana
6)      South Asia
7)      North America
8)      Africa
 
Here, the focus of providing the seed grant is just on utilizing the two “I”s – Innovation and Incubation. Innovation not only involves new methods and processes, but also a change of attitude and perceptions about the way things are done. Incubation offers a helpful, nurturing environment to young initiatives, allowing combined resources to be greater than the sum of the individual components.
 

The opening date for submission of the proposal is: 20May 2010
 
The closing date for submission of the proposal is: 10 June 2010 
 
 
About Innovation Incubation Grant (IIG)
 
In line with its mission to catalyse promising ICT enabled innovative initiatives that clearly address the real development challenges,GKP Secretariat will provide support in the form of seed grant financing to innovative start up incubators in each of the GKP’s six Regions. The size of each seed grant would be 10,000 USD $ per region with the duration of 6 – 12 months (the per grant size can be increased depending upon the nature and sustainability potential of the project on a case to case basis).
 
 
The IIG Grants through the provision of small seed grants aims to support and nurture the innovative ICT enabled initiative during the incubation stage and subsequently taking such project ideas or initiatives to potential donors for further funding for scaling up.
 
 
Objective of the Innovation Incubation Grant
 
Adhering to the focus of the new strategy of GKP 3.0 of supporting ICT & Knowledge Management interventions for improving the quality and efficacy of the development programmes and also the lives of the poor and marginalized people, the IIG intends to focus on the initiative that encompasses the following objectives:
 
i)    Identify and incubate ICT enabled innovations in development efforts in specific sectors and areas (sectors are clearly mentioned below)
ii)   Market and deliver targeted professional advisory and consulting services
iii)  Facilitate peer-to-peer dialogue on issues and themes at regional and global level
 
Sectoral Focus of IIG
 
i)    Agriculture productivity and Food Security
ii)   Enhance access, quality, relevance and efficiency of education system providing skill enhancement for livelihood opportunities and economic well being for all
iii)  Enhance access to quality healthcare for all
iv)   Response to climate change challenges and disaster risk reductions
v)    Engendering development and enabling human rights for all
vi)   Public accountability, transparency, cyber security inclusive governance
 
Evaluation Criteria
 
The IIG would primarily aim to support initiative / project idea that entails the following:
 
i)   New or existing cutting edge and promising initiative having the potential for sustainability, scalability and replicability
ii)  Member driven initiatives that are in line with the strategic framework of GKP 3.0
iii) Initiative that requires the support in the form of seed grants for incubation
iv)  Clearly addresses the real development challenges and sectoral focus
v)   Refers to the innovative ideas or projects that are at incubation level
 
 
Other Benefits
 
In addition, GKP Secretariat also aims to provide mentorship support (support in the forms of advice, counseling, coaching etc. on financial, technical, legal, skill development aspects etc) to the selected innovative incubation as a resource to foster the growth and sustainability of the initiative. Moreover, the selected initiative would also get an opportunity to be showcased at premier conferences like eINDIA, eASiA and eAFRICA that would not only help develop linkages and partnership building but would also enable in knowledge sharing and getting funding support for further expansion and sustainability.
 
 
Eligibility Criteria
 
Open to GKP Members Only: Seed Funding Grants will be provided only as a kind of support to any GKP Member driven initiative or ideas or projects that are at the stage of incubation seeking to implement such ideas / projects where no or few similar initiatives exist. The proposed idea should thus potentially have a great demonstration effect.
 
 
Innovative and Promising ICT enabled Initiative: Potential projects MUST incorporate a strong and innovative ICT element and are NOT only a conference, event or publication, though a typical project may involve one or more of these activities as components of the project.
 
 
Enclosures
 
Annexure – I
 
Annexure – II
 
Annexure – III
 
 
 
ANNEXURE I - PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES        
 
 
After carefully reading and following the eligibility criteria and the focus of the “IIG”, the proponent should submit the proposal to its respective Regional Coordinator via email with a copy to GKP Secretariat.
 
All the application of project proposal should be sent in the format as given below (Refer to Annexure II). Please note that other formats will not be considered. The deadline of sending the proposal is 10 June 2010, beyond which no application will be considered. An organisation can submit only one application per grant cycle.
 
 • Proposal must be presented in English, in MS Word or PDF, formatted for Windows, and submitted electronically by e-mail as a single attachment (all necessary material should be included in a single document). The subject line of the e-mail and all subsequent e-mail related to your proposal should include the following: Region Name – Name of Proponent Organisation – IIG.
 
The Regional Coordinator will undertake the evaluation of all completed proposals. The evaluation can be done in coordination and assistance with GKP Secretary. Funding will be negotiated for a successful proposal on the basis of the proposed budget and its overall review. Other factors such as geographic balance, gender balance, sector diversity, overall potential development impact of the project and the likely distribution, potential for sustainability, replicability and scalability of societal and business benefits of the activities funded through the grant will be taken into account.
 
The quality and the nature of innovative idea or project will be given utmost importance during project evaluation and selection process. The GKP will by no means compromise on the quality of the idea or project proposed for the IIG Call.
 
GKP Secretariat expects to notify all applicants within 10 days of the submission deadline.
 
                                                                          

ANNEXURE II - PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORMAT 
 
 
Proposal Outline                                                                                  
 
The proposal should not exceed 20 pages, excluding commitment and endorsement letters. The proposal should address the issues highlighted in this call for proposal and respond to the eligibility criteria and sectoral focus listed.
 
The proposal should include the following sections:
 
 
1. Cover page 
 
Please include the following information:
 
a. Name of the Grant
b. Name of the proponent organisation
c.Proposed Implementation Region (Europe; East Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Middle East and North Africa; Oceana ; South Asia)
d. Main contact person, indicating title or position
e. Alternate contact person
f. Authorized signatory (Project Leader) for documents
g. Full mailing address: Street address, city, postal code, and country. Please note that street address is required for Courier Service
h. E-mail address, Phone numbers, and Fax numbers
i. Web site of the organisation
j. Type of organisation: Indicate whether it is a private company, government agency, university, NGO, or other (specify)
k. Date of submission of the proposal
m. Total cost of project (in US dollars, US$)
n. Amount requested from GKP Secretariat (US$)
o. Amount contributed by the proponent (US$)
p. Amount contributed by third parties (US$), if any
 
 
2. Proponent Organisation 
 
 
a. Links to GKP Strategy: Provide a brief overview of the current challenges of and opportunities for ICT-enabled initiative and what value additions or what unique innovations do your project idea / initiative provide. Please specify how your project / initiative addresses the developmental challenges along with the sectoral focus. Please indicate the particular barriers or challenges encountered in the development and sectoral area (s) focused by your initiative / project and how it adds value. (Please justify how does your innovation stand unique and outstanding in comparison to other similar initiative (s)) 

b. Organisation Overview: Provide a brief description of the organisation, history, founders and partners, governance, and the overall business prospects for the short, mid and long-term.
 
c. Incubator Facilities: Describe the location and physical facilities (infrastructure etc.) and services/benefits offered.
 
d. Management team and staffing: Summarize the management approach and strategies; provide information on staff skills and relevant experience of work on projects similar in size and complexity.
 
e. Sector Specific: Indicate clearly which sector your ICT-enabled incubator focuses / would focus on. Describe the total number of clients you have served. Proponents should indicate whether or not a feasibility assessment has been carried out to measure the potential target market, and/or what the estimated market segment and size would be for the proposed business incubator.
 
f. Organisation / Business Model: Describe your current organisation / business model and indicate your current and anticipated future sustainability
 
g. GKP Global Network: Describe how you can benefit from and contribute to GKP Global Network.
 
     
4. Goals and objectives 
 
Provide a clear and concise statement of the main goal and the specific objectives of the project and proposed activities.
 

5. Executive summary 
 
Provide a concise summary (100–300 words) of the proposal, capturing the key elements that respond to the selection criteria. State concisely how you plan to achieve the stated objectives.
 

6. Proposal

 
Please include the following sections:
 
a.    Project Activities: Describe the core proposed activities, and the anticipated outputs, outcomes and impacts.
 
b.    Timeline: Please include a proposed timeline for the completion of the proposed activities.
 
c.   Critical Success Factors: Indicate any risks associated with the project. What could potentially prevent you from implementing the project as stated? Also indicate what you plan to do to mitigate these risks.
 
d.   Budget: The proposals should itemize the distribution of GKP funds per project activity and category of expense, and provide justification for the main budget items. All budgeted items must be directly related to the project activities. Where counterpart or additional funding is provided, it should be clearly indicated.
 
 

ANNEXURE III– PROJECT CYCLE

 
Step 0
 
Please read the guidelines carefully to ensure you understand and meet requirements for project proposals prior to preparing and submitting your project proposals.

Only projects proposals that meet our published criteria and use the standard Annexure will be considered. Inquiries regarding project proposals can be addressed to the GKP Secretariat to Ms. Shuchi Smita at shuchi@csdms.in.
 
 
Step 1
 
The call for proposals closes on 10 June, 2010     

Project proponents interested should complete the Proposal Writing on carefully following the guidelines / outlines of project and email it to the Regional Coordinator (of their respective region) with a copy to GKP Secretariat at shuchi@csdms.in
 
 
Step 2
 
The RC will examine all project proposals submitted, assuming they meet the published criteria.
The GKP RC will intimate the proponent on the preliminary outcome of the proposal submission. Preliminary decisions typically range from:
 

i) Requiring a project proposal to be revised and resubmitted; or
ii) Conditional approval subject to submission of further documentation; or
iii) Declining to include the proposed project.
iv) Conditional approval of the Project Brief does not imply commitment of GKP to support the project.

Step3                                     

Project proposals will undergo a final selection process by RC in assistance with the GKP Secretariat. Project proponents will be advised on the status of their projects. The rejected project proposals will not be reconsidered. It is worthwhile to note, that GKP will not compromise on the quality of idea or project under IIG Call during the final selection process.

Prior to the commencement of approved projects, a GKP Project Agreement / contract will be entered into between the selected Lead Implementer / Innovator of the project and GKP.

Upon the signing of the Project Agreement, a Lead Implementer may then submit a Disbursement Request (Request specifying the amount to be disbursed, recipient organisation’s name, Bank details, Account Name, Account Number, Beneficiary Bank’s name, branch, account number, bank identifier code (SWIFT code) etc.)to secure release of approved funding.
 

Step 4

The RC along with the GKP Secretariat undertakes time-to-time monitoring and evaluation throughout the life of approved projects. Lead Implementer / Innovator is expected to prepare and submit progress reports on project activities and deliverables to the GKP Secretariat.
 
Step 5

The project comes to an end, with the submission of a Final Progress Report and Financial Report.          

Project closure is typically concluded with a Final Disbursement.