FAQ: Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) – Civil Society
Frequently asked questions:
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Application process
Q: Is it possible to have a meeting with Norad to discuss what we should prioritise in our project proposal?
A: Norad will as a general rule not have meetings with partners on content of proposals, as this is a competitive call.
Q: "Applicants may only submit one application. In addition, it is possible to be a partner in up to two consortium applications" Does this mean that our organisation can be a partner in up to two consortium applications? We're trying to understand if we can present ourselves in one consortium application as a lead, and another one as a sub.
A: This is possible. You cannot be lead (applicant) in more than one application. In addition, you can be a partner in up to two consortium applications where another organisation is lead.
Q: I am having trouble interpreting the following statements “Applicants may only submit one application” and “The applicant must be a legal person.” Are organisations limited in how many concept notes they can submit in phase 1? If there is a limit, I’m wondering about the case of an international NGO with subsidiary country offices?
A: All legally registered organisations with its own governing structures can in theory apply. However, we recommend that you coordinate instead of compete, as we will enter into a limited number of agreements.
Q: In terms of applicant’s risks and responsibilities towards Norad, is there a difference between the lead applicant’s follow up of consortia partners versus follow up of sub-grantees?
A: The organisation that signs a contract with Norad takes full responsibility for all funding and that expenditures are in accordance with the contract. When processing applications, Norad will therefore primarily assess the organisational strength (routines, systems, experience) of the (lead) applicant.
Q: In how many consortium applications could we be a partner if we don’t submit an application?
A: Even if you don’t submit your own application, you cannot be a partner in more than two applications.
Q: Is a concept submission in April 2025 also considered a commitment to submit a full proposal in September 2025? Will a portion of the award funding be designated for development of the final project and full proposal, as a preparation grant?
A: It is possible to withdraw your application. We do not give grants for proposal development.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of consortium partners per project?
A: No, this is up to your consideration
Q: Are organisations expected to have handled budgets above a certain threshold?
A: As part of our assessment of applications, we will consider the applicants’ experience and organisational capacity in managing sizable grants.
Q: How is a consortium partner defined as opposed to other kinds of partnerships, and what obligations or responsibilities (e.g., participation in the annual audit, third-party evaluations, etc.) are connected to being a consortium partner?
A: The lead applicant takes full responsibility for all funding, including what should be required from consortium partners. All funds must be audited.
Q: Can you clarify how many consortia an organization can be a part of either as co-applicant or as a sub-grantee? We have been under the assumption that an organisation can be a co-applicant of two consortia in addition to being a sub-grantee of others.
A: Only one organisation can be the applicant. There is no formal role of «co-applicant». Therefore, an organisation can only participate in two applications either named as consortia partner or as sub-grantee. These two terms are used interchangeably in the legal sense, as Norad will enter into an agreement with grant recipient (lead applicant) and the consortia partners will legally be sub-grantees.
Q: Is it necessary to include documentation from consortium partners?
A: You only upload documentation of the lead organisation in the Grants portal. We will ask for more information about consortium partners in stage 2. Remember that all consortium partners must meet eligibility criteria.
Grants portal and formats
Q: In the application form we are asked to select only one of four strategic areas. Why can’t we select several strategic areas?
A: While you have to choose one box in this part, the project can contribute to several strategic areas. You can describe this further in the concept note.
Q: What information should be provided by organisations approved for strategic partnership (Plusspartner)?
A: Attachments in the organisational details in the Grants Portal must be the latest versions at the time of submitting a proposal to Norad. It is not necessary to resubmit already submitted information. Requirements for submitting the concept note in stage 1 are the same for everyone, regardless of strategic partnership (Plusspartner) approval. All applicants use the same budget form at this stage. Further guidance will be provided for applicants that are invited to stage 2.
Q: We see that we need to send our audited accounts for the last two fiscal years. Can we send our audited accounts for 2022 and 2023 as the audit for 2024 is not ready yet?
A: Yes, please submit your audited accounts for 2022 and 2023.
Q: In the electronic form on the portal we need to specify the amounts for revenue/acquired funds for 2022 and 2023 according to the audited annual financial statements for the applicant, but the response field accepts only 1 amount. Can you advise how to deal with this?
A: Please add the total revenue for 2022 and 2023 in NOK.
Q: Where do we describe the organisation’s partnership model, the system for selecting partners and the routines for following up with partners?
A: To apply for funding in the Grants Portal, the organisation must be registered in the portal. This registration includes information that is required in the call for proposals (for example information regarding partnership model, ethical guidelines, financial management etc.) Organisational information will be part of the application that is submitted.
Q: Our guidelines for detection and prevention of sexual harassment and sexual abuse or exploitation are part of our ethical guidelines. Is it sufficient to comment on this in the application form, or should we upload the same document twice?
A: We kindly ask you to upload the document twice and to give a brief comment. Applicants that don’t fulfill organisational requirements will be rejected, so it is better to upload the same document more than once for easy reference for each requirement.
Q: Is there a specific format or template required for the concept note submission?
A: See guidance in the Grants Portal: We kindly ask that the concept note follows this format: Times New Roman font size 11, 1.5 line spacing. Please respect this format, which is made to provide all applicants with equal opportunities to present their project within 5 pages. Allowed file format is PDF.
As stated in the call, it should include the following information in this order:
- A summary of the Theory of Change and a short description of the goal hierarchy of the project and main activities that will be supported by the grant. The Theory of Change should demonstrate the project’s contribution to reduced and reversed loss of tropical forests.
- A description of how the project will contribute to one or more of the four strategic areas of the call and the project’s relevance for the target group(s).
- The applicant’s previous thematic and geographic experience in the field and main results achieved.
- Information on previous funding for the described results (MoCE, MFA, Norad, or other).
Q: The document mentions that “applicants working through partners must be able to document that they have established and tested operational guidelines for the selection of, and cooperation with, implementing partners. Information about known partners must be provided.” Can you clarify if the expectation here is that we respond in general terms (as per the relevant field in the Norad grants portal), or if we should disclose our selection of specific partners for our proposed NICFI concept? In case of the latter, would that only include consortium partners, or also downstream indigenous organisations with whom we intend to work under the project?
A: We suggest that you include information on known partners (can be consortium or downstream) either in the organisational information or in the concept note.
Q: Can we add more information in an annex to the concept note?
A: For stage 1, organisational information, 5 pages concept note and budget is what we will assess. Please do not use annex to the concept note.
Q: When we submit with a consortium partner, should we add their relevant thematic and geographic experience together with our own? And could we use extra space on top of the 5 pages for that?
A: Add this information briefly within the 5 pages. For the organisational information, it is the applicant organisation we assess.
Q: What is meant by the question “Have annual accounts been drawn up for the previous financial year?*” under the section “Auditor”?
A: This refers to whether the annual accounts for the grant applicant’s organisation have been prepared, signed and audited. Under this section Norad wants to receive the latest audited accounts and the auditor’s report related to those accounts, including some information regarding the auditor and these documents.
Given that we are in April 2025, organisations with a fiscal year that follows the calendar year will vary in whether they upload the 2023 or 2024 audited annual accounts. Some organisations may have completed their 2024 accounts, while others may still be finalising them and will therefore upload the 2023 accounts.
Q: In the call text it is stated: “The following must be attached: The applicant’s audited accounts for the last two fiscal years”. Where in the portal should we upload the accounts for our last 2 fiscal years (2022 and 2023)? In the Organisational Information, there is only room for one “latest” annual report (2023). Should we then upload the audited accounts for the last 2 fiscal years, under “Additional Information”?
A: Yes, please upload under “Additional information”.
Q: Could you please clarify what is meant by "Organisation Number"? under the section ‘Contact Information’.
A: This refers to the number used to register the NGO in the country it is registered in and is in some context referred to as the national registration number.
Q: The call for proposals page of the website says, “Grant recipients must therefore identify material risk factors that may have a negative impact on the four cross-cutting issues and analyze and manage these risks throughout the implementation period.” Do we need to do this in the concept note, or is this for the full proposal?
A: This is for the full proposal
Q: Do we need to address the following elements in the concept note, or can we include them later if we are invited to submit a full proposal:
- The project’s positive effects beyond the applicant’s organization, including contributions to research in the field. Cooperation with local/national research institutions is encouraged.
- The extent to which the applicant and/or project contributes to climate adaptation, low emission development, and/or biodiversity, and how the applicant will document these contributions.
- Degree of local ownership, operational sustainability, and a clear and credible exit strategy.
A: This is for the full proposal
Q: We would like to clarify if the information regarding the baselines, indicators and targets should be already included at the Concept Note stage or will be only requested if the project is invited to submit a full proposal.
A: This is for the full proposal
Who can apply (eligibility)
Q: I wanted to inquire whether UK-based organisations can be the lead organisation for this project, or whether we can only apply as a partner with another organisation working in the target countries?
A: You can apply as long as you are a non-profit, non-governmental organization with legal registration, and your target group(s) are population groups in developing countries. Please also see “Priority countries”.
Q: We would like to know if private companies can participate in a consortium or can be subcontracted by the grant recipient? Could you give us more details about the eligibility criteria to be a potential grant recipient.
A: Potential grant recipients for this call are non-profit, non-governmental organisations. If applying as part of a consortium, please note that all members must be eligible grant recipients.
Q: We are a consultancy firm with experience and expertise in the thematic areas of the call. Can we apply or partner with an applicant?
A: Potential grant recipients for this call are non-profit, non-governmental organisations. For consortia, all members must be eligible grant recipients.
Partners may hire consultants for specific work, once they have a contract, in line with procurement rules. See 10. Templates, detailed guidelines for select funding streams, etc. | Norad.no
Q: Are UN Agencies eligible to answer to this call for proposal
A: No. This call is for non-profit, non-governmental organisations, please see “Who can apply for grants” in the call text.
Q: Are universities or university institutes considered eligible?
A: Universities are not considered eligible as partners in this call. However, collaboration without financial transfers (for example by an MoU) is considered positively, as research can enhance the project’s impact. An organization that has entered into an agreement with Norad may also conduct a tender process for research and/or evaluations in line with Norad’s procurement rules.
Q: Does the same set of eligibility and operational rules that apply to the lead applicant also apply to all consortium partners, including local and national implementing organizations?
A: All consortium partners/sub-grantees must meet eligibility criteria. With regard to the operational rules, Norad assess the operational policies of the lead applicant as the lead applicant will legally be responsible for accounting for all funding provided.
Budget and costs
Please see budget template before asking a question.
Q: It is not clear to us how much Co-Funding is required and if it is additional third-party funds and/or own contributions of the applying organization? Also, if co funding can be provided as in-kind contributions or only not ear-marked funding
A: Co-funding is not a requirement in this call, but we would like to know all sources of income for the proposed project. This would for example be funding from other donors as well as own financial contributions. However, co-funding cannot be in-kind contributions and should not be earmarked for other purposes.
Q: The call says: "Agreements will be made for the 3-year period 2026-2028. In exceptional cases, contracts shorter or longer than 3 years can be considered. Norad aims to enter into approximately 20 grant agreements based on this call for proposals. Applications between NOK 15-75 million per year will be prioritised. Applicants are encouraged to form consortia of organisations that together could meet the objectives outlined below." - Question: If we present a 3-year project, Is it correct to infer it could range between 45 and 225 million NOK?
A: Yes
Q: The call says: "Indirect costs are limited to a maximum of 7 per cent of Norad’s direct costs in the budget." - Question: If we present a 300 million NOK budget from which 200 million NOK are Norad direct costs, Is it correct to infer indirect costs funded by Norad can be 14 million NOK maximum?
A: Yes
Q: The call says: "Applicants must also show how much of the funding is expected to reach national or local organisations, including Indigenous Peoples’ organisations in tropical forest countries." - Is there a minimum per cent expected by Norad?
A: We don’t have a set minimum. We both look at budget and how Indigenous Peoples’ organisations are involved in decision-making
Q: What can be counted as indirect costs, and what is the allowable percentage?
A: The allowable percentage for indirect costs is maximum 7% of Norad’s contribution to direct cots (see budget template). Indirect costs are costs associated with the general administration of the grant recipient’s organisation that cannot be directly related to the project.
Indirect operating costs for sub-grantees/consortia partners or other levels in project/programme are not subject to a specific threshold. The grant recipient shall provide information on the indirect cost for each of the sub-grantees, upon request by Norad. The indirect operating costs of sub-grantees will be assessed as part of the cost-efficiency assessment of the project budget for proposals invited to stage 2.
Q: Could you clarify whether the amount of NOK 15 to 75 million is per project year or the total amount for the entire project duration over the 3 years of implementation?
A: Applications between NOK 15-75 million per year will be prioritised.
Q: Are financial transfers to consortium partners expected to be routed through the lead applicant (i.e., the main proponent)? What are the specific financial and narrative reporting requirements for implementing partners?
A: The agreement will be with the lead applicant and all funding will be transferred to the lead applicant. The financial and narrative requirements will be outlined for the lead applicant. The lead applicant will then be responsible for ensuring that the subgrantees provide required information.
Q: In the spreadsheet named “Budget+template+NICFI+Civil+Society+2026”, it only presents the data for Year 1. I would like to inquire whether we are permitted to create another sheet for years 2 and 3 of the project, or if we should add new columns to the template to accommodate the subsequent years. Alternatively, is there an updated budget template that can be shared?
A: Please use the budget template as it is, without adding more columns or replicating for additional years. In stage one, we want to know the budget for year one and an estimate for the total years (column D + E). For applicants that are invited to stage two, we will ask for more budget information.
Geographic priorities
Q: We would like to confirm, if multi-country proposals based on the list of the priority countries are eligible for the funding or should the project be carried out only in one country?
A: Multi-country proposals that cover several of the listed countries and/or global work are eligible. You may tick the box for “Global” as well as for individual countries listed.
Q: Is it possible to have a project in prioritised Amazon countries and include Bolivia (which is not mentioned among the targeted countries)?
A: Yes, Bolivia is a relevant country as part of a regional approach in the Amazon. Single-country interventions outside of priority countries will not be considered.
Q: Regarding the territories mentioned in some of the strategic areas of the grant plan outlined in the call, are there any restrictions or preferences for specific countries/regions within each of the 4 areas, or can any country participate in all 4 areas?
A: The priority geographic focus for this call are countries with which NICFI has established formal strategic partnerships. This includes Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, DR Congo, Gabon, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Some of the targeted countries are of particular interest within some of the strategic areas. Where this is the case, this is specified in the call text.
Q: Is a project in Latin America possible for strategic area 2? (« Applications covering one or more of the prioritised countries in Africa and Asia are encouraged for this call”)
A: Yes
Other questions
Q: The call says: "All proposals must comply with the OECD/DAC criteria for official development assistance (ODA)" - Is there an official source that NORAD use to assess at this?
A: Part 1 of Norad’s Statistical Classification Manual outlines the OECD/DAC criteria for ODA eligibility. You can find the manual here: https://www.norad.no/statisticsmanual
Q: I would like to clarify how "tropical forest" is defined in the context of this call for proposals. Can the Cerrado in Brazil be included?
A: Yes, we don’t exclude certain types of forests in tropical forest countries.