Norad/Climate and Forest Initiative funding scheme for civil society

Project funding 2013 - 2015: Call for concept notes.

Possibility for submission is closed (May 15 2012). 

This announcement invites proponents to submit concept notes. Successful proponents will be invited to submit full applications at a later stage. Please read carefully the details on thematic priority areas and application process by clicking the links below. Concept notes must be filled in according to the Norad template in order to be considered. Deadline for submission is May 15 2012.

The Norad/Climate and Forest Initiative funding scheme for civil society is an integrated and strategic component of the Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI).

The overall purpose of the funding scheme is to contribute to the main objectives of NICFI:

  • To work towards the inclusion of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in a new international climate regime
  • To take early action to achieve cost-effective and verifiable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
  • To promote the conservation of natural forests to maintain their carbon storage capacity

Promoting sustainable development and poverty reduction is an overarching goal of Norwegian foreign development policy, and thus valid also for this effort; the climate policy and the foreign development policy are to be mutually supportive.

Any support is conditioned by compliance with the Rules for the Climate and Forest Initiative funding scheme for civil society.

Thematic priority areas for 2013 - 2015 (Click to open)

Civil society organizations are important actors in furthering and applying REDD+ - locally, nationally and globally - as agents of change, and for generating analysis, knowledge development and practical experiences. Since 2009 Norad has supported close to 50 projects that have contributed to the work on REDD+ on a number of issues. In the coming funding period the support will be focused on a few areas where civil society will continue to be significant in driving the REDD + agenda forward.

Recognizing that deforestation and forest degradation stem from drivers also outside the forest sector, there is a need to address these particular drivers, and support activities that combine this effort with integration of social and environmental sustainability. It is necessary to increase the understanding of low-emission alternatives that integrate climate-smart agriculture, forestry and energy initiatives, and promote the greening of supply chains of relevant commodities.

Sustainable REDD+ outcomes nevertheless require continued engagement in core social and environmental areas such as rights and governance, MRV, biodiversity conservation and application of safeguards. Knowledge, experiences and consensus on REDD+ still need to be built at the national and international levels.

Proponents are thus invited to submit a concept note that applies within one of the following four thematic categories:

Please read Guide to the thematic areas.

1. Sustainable Landscapes
The purpose of this category is to promote integrated sustainable land use planning by focusing on sectors and dynamics that may not be directly connected to forest but that nevertheless represent important drivers of deforestation. This includes exploring approaches to agricultural and energy production that reduces deforestation and forest degradation while also contributing to improved livelihoods, employment, food security, energy access and efficiency.

2. REDD+ relevant commodity supply chains
The purpose of this category is to support initiatives that engage multiple stakeholders –with civil society organizations in key roles – in developing and promoting supply chains of relevant commodities that can meet market and consumer demand without contributing to deforestation practices.

3. Analysis, concept and methodology development that contribute to planning and implementation of REDD+
The purpose of this category is to support efforts addressing core issues that affect the sustainable planning and implementation of REDD+ policies/frameworks, and promote the understanding of these issues nationally and internationally. This includes issues such as participation and rights of indigenous peoples and forest dependent communities, land tenure, gender considerations, governance, transparency, the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of REDD+ activities and results, and biodiversity conservation.

4. Creating global consensus on REDD+
The purpose of this category is to promote international consensus around REDD+ as a core tool in the global effort to prevent dangerous levels of climate change.

General conditions and considerations

Concept notes that do not fall within any of the above categories will not be considered. Across-theme proposals will be considered, but the proponent must demonstrate significant relevance to one main category.

All concept notes must demonstrate added value to REDD+. Concept notes should demonstrate alignment with national REDD+ policies and programs when relevant.

Partnerships between the project proponent and other relevant stakeholders (such as national or regional authorities, indigenous peoples and forest dependent communities, NGO’s or private sector entities) are encouraged. Cooperation with local civil society partners is a strong asset.

Issues such as poverty reduction, gender mainstreaming, governance and focus on rights of indigenous peoples and forest dependent communities should be considered in the project when relevant, even where it is not the main purpose of the thematic category.

Geographic priorities

The main geographic target is REDD+ relevant developing countries. Priority will be given to proposals that focus their effort in countries where NICFI is providing substantial support.

Please read Guide to the thematic areas.

Application process (Click to open)

Deadline for submission is May 15 2012.

This announcement invites proponents to submit concept notes structured according to the template. Successful proponents will then be invited to submit full applications at a later stage. Both concept notes and full applications will be subject to competition.

Each proponent may not submit more than three concept notes. Concept notes must be presented in English. There is no upper or lower limit to the sum applied for. 

Who can apply

Norwegian, international and national coalitions, institutions and non-governmental organizations can apply. Research institutions, competence centers or think tanks with an idealistic, non-commercial purpose can apply.

For-profit (commercial, private market) actors can not apply but may appear as cooperation partners in the project, or be part of a coalition where a civil society organization is the main applicant. Government authorities are not eligible to apply, but may appear as partners when relevant. 

Multilateral institutions will generally not be prioritized.

The applicant must be a legally recognized entity.

Assessment criteria

Concept notes will mainly be assessed on their overall quality, their relevance to the thematic categories and priority areas, their contribution to the NICFI objectives, the geographic focus, the character/type and demonstrated capacity of applicant organization and how they are considered to fit within the total civil society portfolio for 2013-2015.

Submission

Norad will only accept electronically submitted concept notes. Paper copies are not accepted. Questions addressing practical issues may be directed to post-sivsa@norad.no. Kindly write “Question CFI 2013” in the subject field.

Please download and finish the template for concept note before you submit your concept note below.