Developing strong concept notes.pptx
- 1. Developing strong concept notes for High Value funding
- 2. Session Aims - To introduce the Projects Seeking Donors (PSD) Library - To understand how to develop concept notes for the Projects Seeking Donors (PSD) Library - To build knowledge of what makes a good High Value concept note
- 3. Accessing High Value donors Projects Seeking Donors (PSD) Library - Internal marketplace to advertise work in need of funding which you think would be suitable for high value donors - Projects less than 350,000 GBP - Aims to challenge traditional bilateral funding relationships and allow us to be more programme led - Will allow you to indicate priorities - Requires the completion of a concept note, which is uploaded onto the site
- 6. How to use the Library 1. Check your proposed project is suitable for the PSD Library: • Is the proposed project for 350,000 GBP in total or less? • Is the project a funding priority for your programme? • Have you considered if the proposed project will appeal to High Value donors? You need to answer ‘yes’ to all!
- 7. 2. Complete a PSD Concept note template - internal use only - the main audience is fundraisers - Advert for Funding Affiliates - 3-4 pages - Requires only top level information and minimal partner/community consultation initially - Answer questions as succinctly as possible. - Avoid jargon and acronyms unless explained - Only looking for 3-5 to be developed at one time as funding not guaranteed.
- 8. 3. Upload your Concept Note - Go to the PSD Library - Scroll to the bottom and click “Add a new item” - This will open a page for you add some basic information about the project - You can mark if the project is a high country priority (no more than 2 per country) - Do not change organisational priority - Attach your completed concept note and any supporting materials by clicking the ‘Attach File’ icon on the ribbon at the top of the page. - Save the record
- 9. 4. Wait for fundraisers to ‘check out’ your project Fundraisers will need to: 1. Click the Edit symbol next to the project you want to check out. This will bring up the detail of the project in a form. 2. Go to Project Status, and change the record to ‘Submitted to donor’. 3. Add your name to the record where Fundraiser’s name is requested. This name must be the same as in the HIVE system. 4. Contact the country to check the concept note is up to date 5. Keep the record up to date with the outcome of your donor discussions or proposal submission, changing the status as soon as possible
- 10. What are fundraisers looking for in a concept note?
- 11. a) Clear problem analysis Explain what the problem is that this project is trying to solve (at least in part). A clear problem analysis ensures you are addressing a real problem with realistic solutions. • Enables you to focus and understand which issues the project aims to address • Checks that your project is focused on root causes rather than consequences (key for sustainability) • Ensures prioritisation, what you can address with the funds you are asking for - you cannot sort out world hunger with 50,000 GBP! The project does not need to be brand new. Always prioritise writing concept notes for your co-financing liabilities first!
- 13. 13 Bus example Frequent bus accidents Consequences Core problem Causes
- 14. 14 Bus example Loss of confidence in bus company People are late Passengers hurt or killed Frequent bus accidents Consequences Core problem Drivers not careful enough Bad conditions of vehicles Bad road conditions Vehicles too old No ongoing maintenance Causes
- 15. Exercise: Problem Tree In country groups, build a problem tree: • Draw a tree on flipchart paper • Use the context or situation analysis • Identify the main problem / issue • State it as an existing negative situation (trunk) • List all the causes of this problem (roots) • List all the consequences of this problem (branches) • Use different post-its for different causes or consequences
- 16. Problem analysis in your concept note - Describe concisely the key problems and needs this project will address – try to be specific to the region or target group - Describe the scale of the problem - include key statistics or external evidence/research where possible e.g. no of people living on less than $1 a day - include your sources! - Include a summary of any rights analysis undertaken if available.
- 17. Impact The longer term change(s) to which the project is contributing to. Its scope is larger than what the project can achieve within the defined timescale. Project Goal The specific change for the target group (s) the project seeks to achieve within a defined time-frame. Outcomes The specific and direct results of the project, produced by the project activities. Outcomes should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time- bound). Activities Individual tasks / activities implemented by the project in order to produce results (i.e. outcomes). b) Strong Logical Project Intervention
- 18. Don’t over-focus on the language and the variations in the various logframe models. Just use the format which the donor/NGO requires. The important lesson is to learn to think through projects using logic and not to focus on the differences in terminology too much. The terminology can be confusing…
- 19. What is a SMART outcome? Examples: • Increased levels of awareness amongst community leaders in 10 targeted communities about the rights of children by the end of the project. • Target communities commit to abandon all forms of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by the end of the project. And not so SMART: • Community leaders’ have been mobilised and taken action to improve children’s rights as their understanding of the issues that affect children and prevent them to go to school improves via training and advocacy events which are carried out by national and local media, whose capacity has been built by local partners with the technical and financial support of Action Aid etc….. • To eradicate FGM in Somaliland. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound
- 20. Clear activities State the activities the project will fund - There should be at least one or two activities for each outcome - Use numbers wherever possible e.g. number of schools, communities, girls - Ensure the fundraiser can clearly see and understand what you plan to do
- 21. c) Demonstrate ‘Why ActionAid’? - What experience, success and learning have you had around this project theme in the region/nationally? - Have you implemented similar work before? - What are our long term plans for the work in this particular area? - Why should a High Value donor fund AA above all other INGOs for this work?
- 22. d) Avoid jargon! - Keep it short and succinct - Use bullet points - Avoid acronyms - Explain key terms – High Value donors are not international development experts! - A rights holder is actually a person…
- 23. e) Case studies and photos - Bring the project to life, help the donor ‘see’ it - Demonstrate the need for funding, or the success that this type of programming can bring - The quality of case studies and photos can be the deciding factor for whether High Value donors will fund a project!
- 24. Any questions?