Modern Slavery: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Regarding Eligibility

Q: To which countries does the call apply?

A: As stated in the call, Sub-Saharan countries that are both among the Partner Countries in Norway’s Development Policy, and pathfinder countries of Alliance 8.7, may be given priority. These are Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda. Applications covering other countries may be considered if they demonstrate a particular contribution towards the objectives.

Please note that the quality of the application is the number one priority. Only when Norad is presented with two equally good applications, country priorities will become relevant.
 

Q: Can we apply for other countries than those listed in the call?

A: As stated in the call, Grants will be considered for interventions implemented by civil society organisations that contribute to the protection of vulnerable groups in ODA-eligible countries. Sub-Saharan countries that are both among the Partner Countries in Norway’s Development Policy, and pathfinder countries of Alliance 8.7, may be given priority. These are Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda. Applications covering other countries may be considered if they demonstrate a particular contribution towards the objectives. If the countries you apply for are neither amongst Norway’s partner countries, nor Pathfinder countries, nor in Sub-Saharan Africa, other applications may be given priority. Norad’s consideration of applications from countries beyond the four priority countries stated in the call depends on the number and quality of applications received covering the four priority countries.

Q: Can we apply for funding to more than one country?

A: As stated in the call, we ask you to submit one application only, however, the application may cover more than one country. Please refer to the Grants Portal and to the text below at https://norad.no/en/front/funding/combating-modern-slavery-through-civil-society/:

Applicants applying for funding for initiatives in more than one country, where the overall application in the Grants Portal is at programme level, must in addition submit one application form per project / country: Project Application Form - Combating Modern Slavery Through Civil Society

Q: The call states that “Country-level efforts will be given priority”, are proposals that are global in scope eligible for support?

A: As stated in the call, country-level efforts will be given priority. Please note that the quality of the application is the number one priority. Only when Norad is presented with two equally good applications, country-specific proposals will be prioritized. The Applicant should clarify how the planned intervention will have an impact on country-level.

Q: To which sectors does the call apply?

A: As stated in the call, applications may cover cross-sectoral projects. For sector-specific projects, this call for proposals will give priority to the agricultural sector.

Q: Can multilateral organisations such as UNICEF be an applicant or a sub-grantee under the call for proposals?

A: No. UN and UN-affiliated organisations are not considered as civil society organisations and therefore not eligible under this call for proposals – neither as applicant nor as sub-grantee.

However, and as stated in the call, Norad encourages partnerships between civil society actors,  governmental authorities and business actors. Multilateral actors may contribute with technical advice but not receive any funds.

Q: Can for-profit actors apply as the main applicant or be a sub-grantee in an application?

A: Only civil society organisations as defined in the call for proposals can be the applicant. Sub-grantees also need to fulfil the criteria for a civil society organisation. Specific deliverables under the project that require expertise from for-profit actors will be subject to the procurement provisions that are part of the grant agreement between Norad and a grantee.

However, and as stated in the call, Norad encourages partnerships between civil society actors,  governmental authorities and business actors. For-profit actors may contribute with technical advice but not receive any funds, unless to a specific deliverable as mentioned above.
 

Q: The call states that grants will not be considered for pilot projects, is the first phase of a new project still eligible for support?

A: Yes, the first phase of a new project is eligible for support.

2. Regarding Joint Applications and Partnerships

Q: Can we submit more than one application?

A: As stated in the call, organisations are encouraged to submit no more than one application. Norad aims to avoid more than one agreement with the same organisation or different parts of the same organisation, although exceptions do exist, e.g. if there are strong arguments for an organisation to play very different roles and add substantially different value to the respective partnerships.
 

Q: Can our organisation be part of more than one application? Is it possible to apply as an applicant in one proposal and as a partner in another?

A: We try to avoid funding the same organisation through different funding streams or partnerships, although exceptions do exist e.g. if there are strong arguments for an organisation to play very different roles and add substantially different value to the respective partnerships. Furthermore, the cost effectiveness of funding through different channels must be clear. Norad will make a thorough assessment of cost efficiency and value added of every segment / partner in the partnership involved in any application.

Q: Is it possible to apply jointly with another civil society organisation?

A: As stated in the call Norad encourages different forms of partnerships. Joint applications will be given priority. However, the applicant must be a legal entity and the applicant must state the legal status of the organisation in the application. Unless the partnership or consortium is a legal entity, one organisation must apply on behalf of the consortium, as the lead applicant.

Q: Can organisations that are part of umbrella or network organisations apply separately or do they need to apply through their umbrella organisation/secretariat?

A: Norad prefers to receive applications through umbrella organisations/secretariats where this is applicable.

3. Regarding Contribution to Outcomes

Q: Can we apply for projects that address just one of the stated outcomes or do we need to include all three outcomes in the application?

A: As stated in the call, projects funded under this call for proposals must contribute to one or more of the three outcomes outlined. The project must address at least one of the outcomes. Projects may contribute to more than one of the outcomes, if desirable. 

4. Regarding Agreement Period

Q: What is the agreement period?

A: Organisations who have an ongoing grant agreement with Norad may apply for projects starting from 2020 (4-year agreement period 2020-2023). This is because these organisations will have gone through an organisational assessment prior to entering into the agreement. Such assessments take time and it is not realistic that Norad will be able to complete this process for new partners by the end of 2020, which is why such applicants may only apply for projects starting from 2021 (3-year agreement period 2021-2023).

Q: Is it the same deadline for projects starting in 2020 and 2021?

A: Yes. The deadline for all applications under this call is 1^st October 2020 at 1 PM EST. 

5. Regarding Budget and Cost Distribution

Q: What is the potential grant size?

A: Norad cannot give clear indications of grant size. On the one hand, Norad’s total budget for this initiative is 40-50 million NOK annually and we intend to enter into a limited number of agreements. On the other hand, cost efficiency and local ownership are key to our assessment of any application, which in some cases point to agreements of more limited financial frames. Finally, Norad will aim to compose a grant scheme portfolio that takes all such assessments and priorities into consideration.

Q: When applying as a consortium of organisations, is it possible to spread the overhead/indirect costs among all the participating organisations?

A: As stated in the call, Grants may include a contribution towards the grant recipient’s indirect operating costs (overheads). Normally, funding for indirect operating costs should not exceed 5 % of the total direct operating costs of the project. For projects entailing an extensive involvement of and substantial costs for the grant recipient’s headquarters, indirect operating/overhead costs up to 7 % of the project’s total direct operating costs may be granted.

Only Norad’s direct agreement partner will qualify for a general indirect cost contribution. For consortia where one of the participating organisation is the lead and agreement partner, indirect costs may be spread among the participating organisations.

All costs at sub-partner level will be looked upon as direct project costs in this respect, and they cannot embed overheads in their daily rates. Norad will make a thorough assessment of cost efficiency and value added of every segment / partner in the partnership involved in any application.  

Q: Is there a minimum percentage for partners’ own contribution to supplement Norad’s funding?

A: This grant scheme does not have a funding contribution requirement.

6. Regarding the Grants Portal and Application Process

Q: How can I access and work on an application in the Grants Portal?

A: You will find a link to the online Grants Portal on the website. Before you start working on the application, you must be a registered user in the Grants Portal. Information on registration and roles in the portal is available under “Help”, in the Grants Portal. Here you will also find user guidelines related specifically to “new user” registration in the portal, overview of the portal, and the steps in submitting an application.
 

Q: Can an application be reopened and revised once it is already submitted?

A: The application will be automatically saved while you are working on it. When the application is submitted, you may still reopen and revise the application within the deadline. The application must then be resubmitted before the deadline.

Q: I’m having technical difficulties, who should I contact?

A: Please contact support.grants.portal@mfa.no