FAQ: Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) – Civil Society
Frequently asked questions:
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: 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: 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: "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: 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: 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 specific format or template required for the concept note submission?
A: There is no template for the concept note, but please note that it should include the following information in this order (see call text) and be maximum 5 pages:
- 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).
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.
Budget and costs
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.
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