Mangroves for the Future Indonesia - Small Grants Facility Call for Proposals

Mangroves for the Future Indonesia
Call for Proposals (Small Grant Facility) 

Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a partnership-based regional initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystems. MFF is co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP and provides a unique regional platform for concerted action in support of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). MFF is using mangroves as its flagship ecosystem in recognition of the important role mangroves play in reducing the damages caused by storms, cyclones and other natural disasters including impacts on coastal livelihoods caused by destruction of mangrove forests. However, MFF is inclusive of all coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, sandy beaches, sea grasses and wetlands. This is illustrated by the “ridge-to-reef”, or linked ecosystems-based approach that MFF applies to coastal resources management. The MFF Initiative is being implemented in ten member countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam) and more information can be obtained from the MFF website: http://mangrovesforthefuture.org

MFF is pleased to announce the next round of its Small Grant Facility (SGF) programme. The SGF is one of MFF programs to provide support to local community action contributing to building resilience of ecosystem dependent coastal communities.

Based on MFF’s Guiding Principle that all MFF projects and other activities must be partnership-based and preferably involve two or more partners from different sectors of society: e.g. an NGO or CBO with a government department, university, research institute or private company. The projects should also ensure the participation of women and other disadvantaged groups.

Budget: Applicants can apply for grants of USD 10,000 - 20,000.
Project duration: 8 - 12 months

Project location and rationale
The SGF is projected to be implemented in four coastal districts along the Northern Coast of Java Island with priority of locations in Bekasi and Indramayu districts in West Java Province, and Situbondo and Probolinggo districts in East Java Province.

Mangrove ecosystems along Northern coast of Java Island are being degraded at an annual rate about 5-7%. Population growth, development of local residence, extensive fish farming systems and salt ponds are the key influencing factors to the mangroves ecosystem degradation which causes increased erosion, abrasion and high tide flood regularly along the coastal area. The situation has also worsened local community livelihoods. In general, inhabitants of mangroves areas are fishers and farmers who are dependent on the goods and services provided by the coastal ecosystems. The limited awareness and capacity on resource management and the limited access to livelihood diversification make these coastal communities particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and exposed to long term impacts of climate change.

Thematic focus
1. Restoration and rehabilitation of mangroves ecosystem (using creative, innovative, low cost and  
    simple method would be advantageous)
2. Improvement of local community awareness and capacity on mangroves ecosystem management and
    utilization in sustainable and responsible practices
3. Diversification of local community income generation (small-scale enterprise) in particular for
    womens groups.

Eligibility
Proposals can be submitted by national/local NGOs, CBOs, academic and research institutes, small scale businesses, management boards and enterprises which meet the following criteria:

1. Have been registered with an appropriate national authority for a minimum of two years;
2. Have demonstrated a proven, or otherwise strong potential capacity to implement participatory and    
    community-based projects in one or more relevant fields including: community development, coastal
    rehabilitation, conservation/ sustainable use/management of natural resources;
3. Have scientific or professional credibility, as recognized by the peer review process;
4. Can demonstrate capacity and experience in project management and financial administration;
5. A proponent who has been a recipient of a previous grant can be awarded another grant only after
    successful completion of the previous project, evidenced by approved final technical and financial
    reports;
6. Proposals from academic and research institutes must demonstrate the applied nature of the    
    research proposed and clearly indicate how the local communities are involved.
7. The proponents must successfully complete a Due Diligence check undertaken by the MFF Secretariat.
8. The proponents are expected to provide co-financing from themselves or from partners in the form of
    either cash or in-kind contributions, equivalent to at least 5% of the total value of the project.

Limitations on Eligibility
The SGF will NOT grant financial support to:

• Governmental Ministries and Departments
• Consultancy firms
• Pure scientific research
• Purchase of land
• Travelling expenses for participation in conferences and courses, unless they are organized within the  
   MFF region and it can be justified as a vital and integral contribution to the activities of the project    
   and/ or to prioritized regional knowledge sharing
• Hiring expatriate consultants
• Purchase of equipment such as computers, vehicles, motor bicycles, boats, office furniture, unless they
   can be justified as vital and crucial tools for implementation of the project activities
• Proponents who have defaulted previously in grant management, or who did not fulfill their
   contractual obligations, or who had their contracts cancelled

Selection process
Proposals should be sent by email to the MFF National Coordinator in Indonesia Ms. Fini Lovita, email fini.lovita@iucn.org by Friday, January 10th, 2014 at the latest. Only short-listed proposals will be acknowledged by January 20th, 2014.

The template for the MFF SGF Concept Note (to be submitted in English or Bahasa Indonesia) can be downloaded here

The detail proposal template and the guideline are available at http://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/resources/documents and for any further SGF information please visit http://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/assets/Repository/Documents/MFF-Grant-Facility-Guidelines-ver2013-07-17.pdf