Inquiry:

Grant seekers are advised to write a brief letter of inquiry to determine if the trust fund’s present interests and funds permit consideration of the request. The letter should include:

• Purpose for which funds are being requested
• Environmental problems the project will address
• Information about the organization or individual conducting the project
• Estimated budget and duration for which funds are requested
• Contact information of the main grant seeker
• All government grant seekers have to route their proposals through the Gross National Happiness commission

Grant Cycle:

After receiving the letter, trust fund staff may ask the grant seeker to submit a formal proposal using prescribed application forms.

• Proposals must be submitted by the end of January and June, for proper technical review
• Proposals must address one or more of the trust fund’s strategic funding objectives
• Funding decision-making will occur at semi-annual meetings of the management board
• The trust fund’s fiscal year is 1 July through 30 June

Eligibility:

Agencies of the Royal Government, local NGOs, grassroots communities and Bhutanese individuals are eligible for support.

• Proposals received directly from grass roots communities are desired
• When submitted by government and NGOs, proposals that enhance community involvement in conservation will be prioritized
• Co-financing is desired, but trust fund support should not displace other donor funding
• Individual grants should not exceed the Ngultrum equivalent of $300,000
• A grant should not exceed three years
• Discretionary research grants are available at the trust fund secretariat.

Grant Application Format:

1.0 Project title:

2.0 Grantee:

3.0 Funding sought from BTFEC:

4.0 Co-funding:

5.0 Total Project Cost:

6.0 Grant period:

7.0 Starting date:

Second Page of the grant proposal shall have an executive summary.

The main format will be as follows:

1.0 Grant Justification

i)               Background

ii)             Problem to be addressed

iii)            Pre-grant situation

iv)            Post grant situation

v)              Target beneficiaries

2.0 Logical Framework

Program Objective	Expected Program measurement	Impact evaluation or process	Specification of possible program inputs	Specification and level of outputs	Expected program indicator	Specification of implementation	Specification Area	Program Risks

3.0 Work Plan and Financial Requirement

	Quantity			Unit Cost	Budget
	Y1	Y2	Y3		Y1	Y2	Y3
Objective 1
Input 1
Input 2
Objective 2
Input 1
Input 2

The grant proposal should provide a break down of activities and estimate of budget required for each activity for the entire grant period. For instance if an activity X is to be implemented for five years the total grant allocated could be broken up into five annual budgets. If the activity X can be implemented in three years then the total grant has to be broken up into three annual budgets, even though the life of the project may be for five years. The table above must be filled in.

4.0 Human Resources, Staff and Administrative Requirement

The type and level of human resources needed to implement the grant proposal have to be stated. Availability of such resources also has to be reflected. Any shortfall must be pointed out and remedial measures to deal with the shortfall suggested.

Implementation of the grant proposal invariably will involve administration. Descriptions are necessary for the administrative set up and staff organization that will cause an effective implementation of the grant proposal. Besides technical staff, the number and type of administrative, account and other support staff required to implement the project activities, their availability, shortfall of such staff and measures that will be adopted to deal with the shortfall should be described.

5.0 Implementation Arrangement

The grant proposal shall describe how proposed activities will be implemented. If this involves coordination, describe how and who will coordinate. Any collaboration mechanism, if required, should be included.

6.0 Project Monitoring, Review, Reporting and Evaluation

The monitoring and review mechanism should be spelled out as well as who will report what, at what frequency and to whom. Implementation of the grant proposal will be evaluated, and an implementation completion report will be written by the grantee using the format given in Annexure E.