3. 3
A proposal is a crucial document:
donors will decide whether or not to
finance your project based on what you
have written.
Any proposal should reflect thoughtful
planning
What is a proposal?
4. 4
Identify the project idea
Demand from the community
Available resourcesNeeds as defined by experts
Project
5. 5
1. Make sure that you are addressing a
genuine problem and that you are equipped
for it.
2. Two-step approach:
1. First define your project thoroughly and in a
participatory approach,
2. Then adapt your project proposal according to
the targeted donor.
3. Use the logical framework which is a method
to design a project in a systematic and
logical way .
Some recommendations…
7. 7
What is a logical framework ?
The Logical Framework Matrix provides a summary of :
• Why a project is carried out
• What the project is expected to achieve
• How the project is going to achieve it
• Which external factors are crucial for its success
• Where to find the information required to assess the success of
the project
• Which means are required
• How much the project will cost
9. 9
The logframe and the project cycle
* NGO’s mandate
* NGO thematic/geo. orientations
* outcome : Programme strategy
* pre-feasibility project studies
* outcome : decision YES/NO
* all significant aspects of
the idea are studied
* outcome : logical framework
* fundraising strategy
* proposal writing for donors
* outcome : financing
contract(s)
* the agreed resources are
used to achieve the project purpose
* reports / contract amendments
* outcome : decision to continue as
planned or re-orient the project
* relevance and and
fulfilment of objectives
* outcome : how to use results in
future programming
10. 10
Organisations using the logframe
• USAID, USA
• GTZ, Germany
• DfID, Great-Britain
• NORAD, Norway
• DANIDA, Denmark
• AUSAID, Australia
• Intercooperation, Switzerland
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France
• DGCD, Belgium
• European Commission
• DGCS - Min. of For. Aff., Italy
• ICAX - Min. of Industry, Spain
• SIDA, Sweden
• UNIDO, Vienna
• FINNIDA - Min. of For. Aff., Finland
• HELLASCO, Greece
• WWF
• Int. Federation of Red Cross
• UNDP
• FAO
11. 11
Advantages of the logical framework
Problems are analysed systematically
The objectives are clearly formulated,
logical and measurable
The risks and conditions for success of a
project are taken into account
There is an objective basis for monitoring
and evaluation
Your project proposal will be coherent
12. 12
The logical framework approach
1. Problem analysis:
identifying stakeholders, their
key problems, constraints and
opportunities, determining
cause and effect relationships.
2. Analysis of objectives:
developing objectives from the
identified problems, identifying
the relationships between the
means and the ends.
3. Analysis of the strategy:
identifying the different
strategies to achieve
objectives, determining the
major objectives (overall
objectives and project purpose
or specific objective).
4. Logframe: defining the
project structure, testing its
internal logic and formulating
objectives in measurable
terms, determining means and
cost.
5. Activity planning:
determining the sequence and
the relation between the
activities, estimating their
duration , setting the main
stages in the process,
assigning responsibility.
6. Resources planning: from
the activity schedule,
developing the input schedule
and the budget.
Analysis phase Planning phase
13. 13
1. Problem analysis
1. Identify the major problem faced by
the beneficiaries
2. Develop a problem tree
3. Identify the stakeholders affected in
the proposed project
14. 14
How to proceed with problem
analysis ?
Identify key problems existing within a given situation
(brainstorming)
Select a starter problem
Look for related problems to the starter problem
Establish hierarchy of causes and effects
- problems which are directly causing the starter problem are
placed below
- problems which are direct effects of the starter problem are
placed above
Complete with all other problems accordingly
Review the diagram and verify its validity and
completeness
15. 15
1. Problem analysis
EFFECTS
CAUSES
The system
receives
no
maintenance
The irrigation system is faulty
Some irrigation
structures
have been
destroyed
Support services
for farmers are not
available in the
area
The farmers
have no
investment
capacity
Rice production is insufficient for
the population of village x
Agricultural practices are unsuitable
Problem tree
17. 17
2. Analysis of objectives
Transforming Problems into Objectives
Rice production is insufficient for
the population of village x
The irrigation
system is faulty
Agricultural practices
are unsuitable
The system
receives
no maintenance
Some irrigation
structures
have been destroyed
Support services for
farmers
are not available
Farmers do not
have
investment capacity
Rice production is sufficient for
the population of village x
The irrigation
system is working
Agricultural practices
are appropriate
The system
receives
proper maintenance
Support services
for farmers
are available
Damaged irrigation
structures
are repaired
Farmers have the
resources to
invest
18. 18
2. Analysis of objectives
Objectives’ tree
MEANS
ENDS
Rice production is sufficient for
the population of village x
The irrigation system is working Agricultural practices are appropriate
The system
receives
proper
maintenance
Damaged
irrigation
structures
are repaired
Support services
for farmers
are available
Farmers have the
resources to
invest
19. 19
3. Analysis of alternatives
Possible criteria to choose the
intervention logic of your project among
different project alternatives:
Available resources (especially HR)
Probability of achieving the project
purpose and its results
Cost
Timeframe
Risks
20. 20
3. Analysis of strategy
SPECIFIC
OBJECTIVE
(or project purpose)
EXPECTED
RESULTS
OVERALL
OBJECTIVE
CHOSEN STRATEGY
Rice production is sufficient for
the population of village x
The irrigation system is
working
Agricultural practices are
appropriate
The system
receives
proper
maintenance
Damaged
irrigation
structures
are repaired
Support
services for
farmers
are available
Farmers
have the
resources
to invest
22. 22
Levels of objectives
The broader impact(s) to which your
project will contribute to, but will not
enable to reach entirely
The outcome of your project,
what should be achieved at the
enf of the project.
Specific outputs which will
contribute to the realisation of
your project purpose
Concrete activities that will be
undertaken during the project
Project
Purpose
Expected
Results
Activities
Overall
Objective(s)
4. The log-frame
23. 23
4. The log-frame
Define objectively verifiable
indicators (OVI):
– !!! Do not make the confusion between
« criteria » and « indicators » !!!
• A criteria is for instance: « number of… »,
« increase in… »
• Whereas an indicator is « 150 persons per
month », « 34% of increase in … »
24. 24
Example of a good indicator
Objective: The irrigation system is working
The indicator should be « SMART »:
Specific = The irrigation pumps are functioning properly in the
project area
Measurable = 50 of the irrigation pumps are functioning
properly in the project area
Acceptable = Is the indicator accepted by all the partners
involved in the implementation of the project ?
Relevant = Are the irrigation pumps the main problem?
Time-bound = 100% of the irrigation pumps are functioning
properly in the project area at the end of the project
4. The log-frame
25. 25
Selection of sources of verification
Administrative
/ financial
report
Management
report
Monitoring
data
Adapted
monitoring
statistics
Interviews of
beneficiaries
Specialised
surveys
Complexity
Cost
4. The log-frame
26. 26
4. The log-frame
Consider the various risks and assumptions
on your project:
= external factors that may affect the projects’
implementation and long-term sustainability
= synergetic activities made by other actors
Do not define assumptions that are endogenous to
the project and the scheduled activities !!
Only mention relevant hypothesis…
27. 27
Is the RISK important to your project?
Yes No
What is its probability? Ignore
Almost certainUnlikely Fairly Unlikely
Can the project strategy be modified to eliminate the risk?
YesNo
Modify strategy, add activitiesSTOP the project
Formulate an assumption
Risks/Assumptions
4. The log-frame
28. 28
Intervention logic of project + Assumptions
IN OUT
Overall
objective
Project
Purpose
Results
Activities
+
+
+
Assumptions
Assumptions
Assumptions
Pre-conditionsIf the activities are carried out,
and if assumptions are valid, then ...
4. The log-frame
30. 30
5. Resource-planning
Year Year 1 By whom?
Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 etc.
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Plan of action
Means: Budget
Human
resources
Material/
Equipment
Travel etc.
Means/Budget
32. 32
The logical framework :
Two case studies
Case study Bangladesh:
Advocacy project in
Bangladesh to promote
the rights of persons with
disabilities
Case Study Nepal
Project in Nepal to
provide orthopaedic
appliances and services
to disabled persons
Identify among the cards given:
· Goal (1)
· Project purpose (1)
· Expected results (4)
· Corresponding indicators for each (6)
· Assumptions (5)
Group work: 15 minutes – Presentation: 5 minutes
33. 33
10 frequently made errors in log-frame:
Make sure to…
1. Have only one specific objective.
2. Have a coherence in the hierarchy between objectives and
results.
3. Formulate objectives and results as they were already
achieved.
4. Define “SMART indicators” (no activity, no vague indicator like
criteria).
5. Do not transpose the activities as indicators of the results.
6. Do not define indicators next to the general objectives (they are
irrelevant in most cases).
7. Do not define sources of verification that are too expensive or
impossible to get.
In any case, if an expensive source of verification is mentioned,
be sure to integrate it in the activities and within the budget.
8. Do not define hypothesis endogenous to the activities you
should implement.
9. Next to activities, mention the means (HR and material) and the
costs.
35. 35
Preliminary remarks
Proposal = is often the only tool for the
donor to assess your project (e.g. reject
it or not)
Write a proposal only when your project
idea is already well defined!
Be sure to stick to the donor’s criteria
and values.
36. 36
Select the right funding source
DONOR’ S MANDATE: Which donor has a
mandate compatible with your project ?
1. ex. Humanitarian aid versus development
(ECHO versus EuropeAid)
2. ex. Refugees (ex. Austcare)
DONOR’S PREFERENCES: What are
your potential donors preferences?
– Ex: Mines victims (Irish Aid)
SELECTION CRITERIA: How do donors
evaluate project proposals and are you
likely to be selected?
– Existence of an evaluation grid ?
– Consortium required?, etc…
37. 37
Follow a logical thread:
Background -> Problem -> Solution
-> Sustainability
Ensure internal coherence between:
Problem - Objectives - Means
Many donors follow the LFA
Package your project into an
attractive proposal (1)
38. 38
Coherence checklist
Don’t leave a problem unsolved
Don’t identify objectives that do not
correspond to a problem
Don’t identify objectives for which you don’t
have appropriate means
Don’t propose activities that are not related
to problems and objectives
Don’t list human resources that are
disproportionate to the objectives you aim
to achieve
Package your project into an
attractive proposal (2)
39. 39
Editing and layout
Pay attention to the language:
- Use simple language
- Use future tenses
- Be concise and logical
- Avoid spelling mistakes
- Find a catchy title
Pay attention to the layout/ presentation:
- Use your organization’s logo on the first page
- Use headers and footers
- Clear titles and paragraphs
- Break the monotony
- Add table of contents
- Print on standard format paper
Package your project into an
attractive proposal (3)
40. 40
1. Executive summary
2. Presentation of the organisation
3. Project background
4. Problem statement
5. Goal and objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed methodology:
Partners
Project implementation
Activities
Risks and assumptions
Means
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
General structure
41. 41
Why is it important:
It is the first thing that is read
Sometimes, it is the only thing
that is read…
It can be used by the donor to
communicate about your
project
1. Executive Summary
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
42. 42
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
1. Executive Summary
Contents
What do you propose to do?
Where?
Why?
For whom?
With whom?
For how long?
43. 43
1. Executive Summary
DO :
Write it only at the end
Do it carefully
Be concise
DON’T :
Cut and paste
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
44. 44
2. Presentation of the organisation
Why is it important?
Purpose: to establish credibility
and image of a well-managed
organization that meets critical
needs in its area of work
Tips
Should not be too long
If you are approaching a new
donor, attach in appendix a
presentation brochure and/or
the last activity report
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
45. 45
2. Presentation of the organisation
Contents
Who are you?
Philosophy/ mandate?
History and significant
interventions/track record
Expertise in addressing the
problem/need
Organizational structure
Major sources of support
Affiliations/accreditations/
linkages
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
46. 46
3. Project Background
Contents
Who took the initiative?
Does the project fit into an existing
development plan or programme?
Is this the first phase of the project, or
the continuation of an activity already
undergoing?
If this is the case, which have been
the main result of the previous phase?
What studies have been done to
prepare the project?
Who else operates in this field?
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
47. 47
3. Project Background
Tips
You need to demonstrate that :
The project arises from the
beneficiaries and/or the local
partners
You know very well the local
context
You have the experience needed
to run the project successfully
You have been successful before
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
48. 48
4. Problem Statement
Why is it important?
Unless donors are convinced that
there is a real problem, they will
not agree to disburse money for
our project !
Tips
A “good” problem should:
concern people
be concrete and demonstrated
be solvable
arise from a demand
be an emergency or priority
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
49. 49
4. Problem Statement
Contents
Description of the scope and
magnitude of the problem
What are the immediate causes
of the problem?
What are the underlying causes
of the problem?
What are the effects of the
problem?
How does it affect people?
Why does it have to be
addressed?
Why now and not later?
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
50. 50
5. Goal and Objectives
Goals (or overall
objectives):
Describes the long-term goals, your
project will contribute to.
Project Purpose or
Specific Objective:
Describes the objective of your
project in response to the core
problem.
Expected Results:
Describes the outputs or concrete
results of your project.
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
51. 51
Objectives should be SMART:
Specific = they must meet the needs
(problems) identified
Measurable = they should be
measured by concrete indicators
which should reflect the extent to
which they have been attained
Acceptable = by all involved partners
Relevant = they must be adequate to
the project socio-cultural environment
Time-bound = must be reached by
the end of the project
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation
of the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
5. Goal and Objectives
52. 52
6. Beneficiaries
Contents
Clearly identify direct and
indirect beneficiaries:
• Directly receiving support
• Indirectly benefiting
• How many?
• Where?
• Characteristics?
Specify how and at what
stage they will be involved in
the project
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
53. 53
7. Proposed Methodology
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Contents
Partners
Project implementation
Activities
Risks and assumptions
Means
Why is it important?
Indicates how objectives will
be achieved
54. 54
Partners:
Clearly distinguish between main
partners and other partners
Provide background information:
Goals/philosophy?
Area of intervention?
Relationship with beneficiaries?
Cooperation track-record?
Role in the project
Type of partnership you set up
Specify each partner’s role
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
7. Proposed Methodology
55. 55
Project
implementation:
Rationale for selecting a particular
or unique methodology
Project implementation structure:
roles and responsibilities of all the
project stakeholders
Tip
Use a chart to describe the project
implementation structure
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
7. Proposed Methodology
56. 56
7. Proposed Methodology
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Activities:
What will be done?
How?
By whom?
Where?
By when?
Tips
Be as precise as possible
Cluster activities by expected
result
Use a work plan to summarise
57. 57
7. Proposed Methodology
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Example:
Training:
How many persons?
For how long? Starting when?
Which methodology will be used
(seminars, in-house training, ad hoc
courses, etc.)
Why is the training necessary?
Which new skills will the trainees
acquire?
Year Year 1
Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
58. 58
7. Proposed Methodology
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Risks/Assumptions:
Risks are external factors that could
potentially jeopardise your project and
are beyond the control of the project
management
Assumptions are what you are
supposing regarding those risks
Why is it important?
It helps assess the factors which could
jeopardise your project
It helps examining the project for
completeness and consistency
59. 59
7. Proposed methodology
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Means:
Human resources:
Explain the responsibilities and
tasks of each key person in the
project.
Justify the need for expatriate
personnel
Material resources:
Give an explanation of the most
important budget lines
Justify vehicles
60. 60
8. Budget
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Contents
Budget itself
Budget explanations and
justifications
Tips
Prepare it using your plan of
action
Don’t inflate the budget
Follow carefully donor’s
requirements
Disaggregate your budget for
each year
61. 61
9. Monitoring& Evaluation
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring
and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Why is it important?
Monitoring: to assess whether
your project activities are on track
Evaluation: to assess whether
your project is effective, efficient,
has an impact, is relevant,
sustainable…
Contents
What will be monitored and why?
By whom?
How often?
Using which tools and methods?
62. 62
10. Sustainability
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
Contents
Institutional sustainability
Technical sustainability
Socio-cultural sustainability
Financial sustainability
Why is it important?
Because donors want to be sure
that their investment will not be
lost at the end of the project and
that you are already planning the
phasing out of the project.
63. 63
Contents
Glossary
Maps
Statistics/ policy documents
Proof of registration and tax benefits
for donors
Financial statement
Composition of Board of Directors
List of major donors
Annual report, brochures &
publications
Specific studies or evaluation reports
Memorandum of agreement with
partners
Letters of support
Pictures
Others...
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
11. Annexes
64. 64
11. Annexes
Tips
Refer to the annexes (see annex
xy) in the proposal, but....
If something is crucially
important, write it in the proposal!
Add a table of content for the
annexes
Write the annex number on the
top of each page “annex n°xy”
Separate each annex by a
coloured page
1. Executive
summary
2. Presentation of
the
organisation
3. Project
background
4. Problem
statement
5. Goal and
objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Proposed
methodology
8. Budget
9. Monitoring and
evaluation
10. Sustainability
11. Annexes
65. 65
1. Cover letter
(Use letterhead, mention project title, purpose, amount
requested, contact person and list of enclosures)
2. Project proposal:
•Title page with logo
•Table of contents
•Executive summary
•Detailed proposal
•Annexes
3. Requested attachments
(Submit all documents requested by the donor which are
not already included in the annexes)
Proposal package
66. 66
Ask someone exterior to the
project to read it before any
submission to a donor.
Final recommendation
68. 68
Case study: Laos project
Targeted donor: ECHO (European
Community Humanitarian Office)
– ECHO mandate: humanitarian and emergency
actions
Context: Need of gap funding between two
contracts with EuropeAid ( budget line B7-
661 « mines »)
– EuropeAid mandate: long-term development
oriented
Project rationale: training of deminers in
Laos, Savannakhet Province
69. 69
Version I:
what would you change/improve ?
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Title of operation:Technical support for the
maintenance of Lao National Unexploded
Ordnance (UXO LAO) activities in Savannakhet.
Province of Lao PDR while preparing the
consolidation of a 24 month final phase of the
project.
Start-up date: March 2002.
70. 70
VERSION II:
What was written in the final version
VERSION 2
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Title of operation:Maintenance of Handicap
International Technical Assistance to UXO
Clearance Operations in Savannakhet Province,
Lao PDR
Start-up date: 01 March 2002
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Version I:
what would you change/improve ?
VERSION 1 :Number of direct beneficiaries:
UXO Lao staff in Savannakhet Province. Currently UXO Lao
assisted by HI have 160 deminers, surveyors, community
awareness (CA) members and supporting staff in the province.
The general population on the four most UXO affected districts
of Savannakhet Province will also directly benefit of the
clearance operations undertaken by UXO Lao.
The quantitative outputs of UXO LAO Savannakhet in the key
activities since the HI project started are:
Area Clearance: Agriculture land cleared: 2,534,935m2
( 58% of
the total land cleared)
Roving Tasks: Villages visited: 939
Community Awareness: Villages visited: 561 out of more than
625
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VERSION II:
What was written in the final version
Number of direct beneficiaries:
The general population on the seven most UXO affected districts of
Savannakhet Province will directly benefit of the clearance operations
and awareness activities undertaken by UXO Lao. The direct
beneficiaries are more specifically, the populations of the districts of
Phine, Xepon, Vilabuly, Nong, Atsaphanthong, Phalan Xai and
Atsaphone. The number of direct beneficiaries is estimated to over 22
000 people. The vast majority of the beneficiaries are subsistence
farmers from ethnic minority groups in remote areas Through activities
undertaken in this programme, the local population will benefit from
improved land accessibility, improved land availability, a safer working
and living environment and an improved ability to avoid accidents
caused by unexploded ordnance.
Equally, UXO LAO staff in Savannakhet Province is a direct beneficiary
of this programme. Currently UXO Lao staff assisted by HI includes de-
miners, surveyors, community awareness (CA) workers and support
staff in the province. The number of beneficiaries equals 160
employees of UXO LAO. Through activities undertaken in this
programme, UXO LAO employees will benefit from training aimed at
safer, more efficient and more diverse unexploded ordinance
identification, removal and destruction.
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Version I:
what would you change/improve ?
4.1. Overall objective(s)
Phase 4 – Transfer of knowledge, skills and capacities to UXO
LAO Savannakhet in respect of the application of
comprehensive national procedure across all aspects of the
programme leading to the complete withdrawal of HI technical
assistance.
4.2. Project purpose/ Specific objective
To provide reduced technical support to UXO LAO Savannakhet
for UXO area clearance and disposal in order to allow UXO
LAO to maintain limited activities to national standards.
This is an interim arrangement of six months that will allow limited
continuity of operations for UXO LAO in Savannakhet until
implementing partner funding becomes available. This will allow
UXO LAO Savannakhet to conduct its full range activities
(community awareness, survey, roving and area clearance) to national
standards under the technical supervision of Handicap International
technical advisor as described in the phase four financing proposal.
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VERSION II:
What was written in the final version
4.1. Overall objectives:
The populations of Phine, Xepon, Vilabuly, Nong,
Atsaphanthong, Phalan Xai and Atsaphone of
Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR live in a safer
environment.
4.2. Project purpose/ Specific objective:
The negative impacts of UXOs in the districts of
Phine, Xepon, Vilabuly, Nong, Atsaphanthong,
Phalan Xai and Atsaphone of Savannakhet Province,
Lao PDR are reduced.
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Checklist: all the « good questions » to bear
in mind when drafting project proposal
1. Before writing the proposal:
- Is the stakeholder analysis done and complete ?
- Have I established a coherent objective tree and a concrete
problem ?
- Have objectives, results and activities been discussed with all
partners and accepted ?
- Do I know the donor to whom I will send my proposal (e.g.
mandate, criteria, specific format, etc.)?
- Is there an internal organisation that has been set up within HI
around this proposal ? and does each person know her tasks ?
2. When drafting the proposal:
- Is my proposal coherent (identified problem/suggested
activities/proposed mean)?
- Is my proposal precise enough (e.g. explanation of expected
results ad intended activities, definition of SMART indicators)?
- Is my proposal understandable by everybody (not to much
technical terms, explanation of them, etc.)?
- Do I have really respected the donor’s criteria ?
- Have I put the information in the correct place ?
- Have I corrected all the spelling mistakes ?
Editor's Notes
Schedule:
13.30 – 13.40 Introduction of participants and facilitators
13.40-13.50: Expectations from the participants (flipchart)
13.50-13.55: introduction to the whole session: General recommendations/ LFA-Group exercise/ Contents of a project proposal-group exercise
13.55-14.05: Brainstorming: what does it take to write a winning proposal?
14.05-14.35: PP on General recommendations
14.35-15.15: PP on the LFA
15.15-15.30: Tea/coffee Break
15.30-16.00: Group exercise LFA (15 min for actual work- 5 min for presentations by each group)
16.00-16.30: PP on the contents of a project proposal
16.30- 16.40: Introduction to the group exercise
16.40-18.10: Group exercise
18.10-18.20: tea/coffee break
18.20-18.50: presentation and discussion
18.50-19.00: Evaluation of the session
An act of putting forward or starting something for consideration
A proposal is a crucial document: donors will decide whether or not to finance your project based on what you have written.
It should reflect thoughtful planning, it is therefore the last stage of project planning
Demand from the community + Needs as defined by project staff and specialists => identification of the problem to be tackled.
What are the resources available that can be mobilised: human/ material/ financial (both within your organisation and outside)? => Do you have the capacity to tackle this problem?
IF YES, your project idea is likely to be very relevant. Once the problem and project idea is identified, it needs to be carefully planned.
Make sure that your project answer a need and a demand and that you have the resources to address it:
Write a proposal only when your project idea is already well defined together with your partner and/or beneficiaries! Get your thoughts sorted out before you write the project proposal.
Be logical and coherent all throughout: there are some tools which can be used for that (cf. second part of the presentation)
Make sure to stick to the donor’s mandate, values and criteria for appraising proposals without of course compromising on your own values and identity.
To put it in a nutshell: what you need is COMMON SENSE!
The LFA was developed in the US at the beginning of the seventies as a project planning method of USAID. The LFA is based on the concept of management by objectives. Although it was originally used by a single person (usually a desk-officer) to structure and describe the project more clearly, some organisations like GTZ adapted the tool to make it participatory (ZOPP methodology: steps for analysis, , team approach, visualisation, facilitation and documentation of the process,). The LFA is used by many donors such as the EC, DFID, Ausaid.
It is a method to design a project in a systematic and logical way. It is summarised in the log-frame matrix. This matrix is however only the end result of the process.
Problems are analysed systematically
The objectives are clearly formulated, logical and measurable,
The risks and conditions for success of a project are taken into account
There is an objective basis for monitoring and evaluation
=> hence the whole project proposal is coherent
Problem analysis: identifying stakeholders, their key problems, constraints and opportunities, determining cause and effect relationships.
Analysis of objectives: developing objectives from the identified problems, identifying the relationships between the means and the ends.
Analysis of the strategy: identifying the different strategies to achieve objectives, determining the major objectives (overall objectives and project purpose or specific objective).
Logframe: defining the project structure, testing its internal logic and formulating objectives in measurable terms, determining means and cost.
Activity planning: determining the sequence and the relation between the activities, estimating their duration , setting the main stages in the process, assigning responsibility.
Resources planning: from the activity schedule, developing the input schedule and the budget.
3 stages for the problem analysis:
Identify the major problem faced by the beneficiaries: based on demand from the community, needs as assessed by experts or project staff or any other stakeholder
Develop a problem tree
identify the stakeholders affected in the proposed project
Based on the objective tree, there are several options for the project, either to tackle all the branches, or only one of them or only sub-problems.
Certain criteria will have to be determined to decide between different alternatives:
Available resources (usually the main criteria)
Probability of achieving objectives
Cost
Timeframe
Socio-political risks etc.
Once the most appropriate strategy is chosen, this is summarised in the log-frame
Overall objective (or goal): The broader impact your project is contributing to. This impact does not only depend on your project
Project Purpose (or specific objectives): The outcome of your project, what your project will achieve
Expected Results: Specific outputs which will contribute to the realisation of your project purpose
Activities: Concrete activities that will be undertaken in the project, they should be numbered according to the expected results.
Objective: The irrigation system is working
The indicator should be:
Specific = The irrigation pumps are functioning properly in the project area
Measurable = 50 of the irrigation pumps are functioning properly in the project area
Attainable = 100% of the irrigation pumps are functioning properly in the project area
Relevant = Are the irrigation pumps the main problem?
Time-bound = 100% of the irrigation pumps are functioning properly in the project area at the end of the project
Risk/Assumptions
At each level, riskd have to be assessed and an assumption formulated if necessary
Example: project to develop ortho devices in BGD. Components are not available in BGD and need to be imported.
Risk: GoB is increasing taxes on imports and ortho components are not exempted.
The risk is important for this project
If this is very likely to happen, the project strategy has to be changed: some activities could include lobbying with the GoB to get tax exemption
If this is not feasible, this could be a KILLER assumption has ortho workshops will not be able to access cheap material for manufacturing the devices…
Group exercise I: LFA puzzle or good/bad LFA (Lao example)
Which donor/funder has a mandate which is compatible with your project idea?
ex. Refugees => UNHCR
What are your potential donors’ preferences?
Look for their country strategy papers or existing areas of intervention: geographical area? Sector (health, education, environment, etc.)? Target groups? Project size (big/small)? Type of project (e.g. infrastructure vs. capacity-building or advocacy, emergency vs. development)?
What are their selection criteria and are you likely to be selected?
Get their grant application form and guidelines and look for their evaluation grid (ex. Local partnership, involvement of beneficiaries, gender dimension, etc.)
The reader should discover your project following a logical thread:
Background - Problem - Solution – Sustainability
Do not assume that funders know the problem you are dealing with, give them enough information to understand the situation and appreciate the need for your project
Ensure internal coherence between:
Problem - Objectives- Means
Many donors follow the Logical Framework Approach (DFID, EC, AusAid), it helps to ensure internal logic and coherence of a project (and consequently of the project proposal). It should be used as a planning tool and not filled in mechanically.
Pay attention to the language:
Use simple language: not too much slang, explain technical terms, do not use acronyms (or use them with their definition: use the full term the first time with the acronym in brackets).
Use future tenses (no present or conditionals tenses)
Be concise and logical: a proposal must deliver critical ideas quickly and easily. Your writing must be clear if you want others to understand your project and be interested in it. This means identifying the central point of your proposal. All your subsequent points should flow easily from it.
Avoid spelling mistakes: be sure to avoid any typing or spelling mistakes (reread the proposal at least once bearing only this in mind).
Find a catchy title (playing with the abbreviation of the project title)
Pay attention to the presentation:
If the presentation is reader-friendly, the donor will be in a more favourable disposition to agree to financing the project.
Basic principles for layout:
The less type on the page, the easier it is to read;
The less clutter on the page, the easier it is to understand (try to use 12 point type)
! Follow the guidelines when they are given
Use headers and footers (ex. Name of the project and date of submission): it is a big help for the reader and the photocopy staff as well!
Use your organization’s logo on the first page
Clear titles and paragraphs with consistent and easily understandable numbering : one idea per paragraph, leave white space
Break the monotony: nothing tires the eyes more than repetition. If your pages all look the same, the reader’s eyes start to wander and his or her mind won’t be far behind… Indent certain paragraphs, highlight important points in bold or in a box. Do not use too many bullet points otherwise the reader do not know anymore what is important and can’t understand the flow of strategy. Use graphics where appropriate.
Add Table of contents
Print on standard format paper, if possible good quality recycled paper. Do not use staples (unless instructed) so that the document can easily be photocopied without being damaged
Why it is important:
Is the first thing that is read (good impression or bad impression on the proposal)
Sometimes, is the only thing that is read…
It can be used by the donor to communicate about the project
Contents:
What do you propose to do?
Where?
Why?
For whom?
With whom?
For how long?
DO :
Write it only when you have finished writing the rest of the proposal
Do it carefully
Be concise (2 pages maximum)
DON’T :
Use the “cut and paste” technique.
Why it is important?
To establish credibility and image of a well-managed organization that meets critical needs in its area of work
Tips
Should not be too long
If you are approaching a new donor, attach in appendix a presentation brochure and/or the last activity report
Who are you?
What is your organisations’ philosophy and mandate?
What is your history and significant interventions/ track record?
What is your expertise in addressing the problem stated in the proposal?
Organizational structure
Major sources of support
Affiliations/accreditations/ linkages (if any)
Uniqueness (if any)
Especially relevant for projects linked to a previous project (second phase) or a bigger programme
Contents:
Who took the initiative?
Does the project fit into an existing development plan or programme? Is the project part of a more complex programme?
Is this the first phase of the project, or the continuation of an activity already undergoing?
If this is the case, which have been the main result of the previous phase?
What studies have been done to prepare the project?
Who else operates in this field?
Tips
By reading the project background, it must clearly emerge that :
The project arises from the beneficiaries and/or the local partners
You know very well the local context
You have the experience needed to run the project successfully.
You have been successful before
Why it is important?
Unless donors are convinced that there is a real problem, they will not agree to disburse money for our project !
The problem statement is the reason why you are writing a proposal!
Tips
A “good” problem is expressed as follows:
it should concern people
it should be solvable (you have the resources to solve it or you can easily mobilise them)
it should be concrete
it should arise from a demand made by the beneficiaries
it should be an emergency or priority: why tackle this problem now and not later? Why this particular problem and not another? The implications should be clear: what will happen if the problem is not solved?
Description of the condition or situation you wish to change: scope and magnitude (with as many facts and figures as possible), what is the current situation? Don’t assume that your donor knows everything, give him as much information as possible but in a logical sequence:
What are the immediate causes of the problem?
What are the underlying causes of the problem?
What are the effects of the problem? How does it affect people?
Why does it have to be addressed? (what will happen if the problem is not solved?)
Why now and not later?
Editing Tip: the issues can come alive through the use of concrete stories as an example, it is sometimes more appealing than an enumeration of statistics and data
GOAL(S): Describes what your project (together with other development actors) will contribute to. Refers to the impact(s) of the problem your project is tackling.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S) or PROJECT PURPOSE
Describes what your particular project will do (positive formulation of the problem).
Expected Results:
Describes the outputs or concrete results of your project (through its activities and ressources)
Expected results are important: A donor will finance results and not objectives. Reading the project, he/she should be able to visualise the project results!
Objectives should be SMART:
Specific = they must meet the needs (problems) identified and correspond to the problem identified, as well as its impact (overall goal) and causes (specific objectives/expected results)
Measurable = they should be measured by concrete indicators which should reflect the extent to which they have been attained
Attainable = targets are set realistically and are achievable within the project timeframe
Relevant = they must be adequate to the project socio-cultural environment
Time-bound = must be reached by the end of the project
Clearly identify direct and indirect beneficiaries:
Directly receiving support
Indirectly benefiting from your project
How many beneficiaries?
Where?
Characteristics? Gender? Age group (if relevant)? Socio-economic status etc.
Specify how and at what stage they will be involved in the project: design, implementation, management, evaluation
Contents
Partners
Project implementation
Activities
Risks and assumptions
Means
Why it is important?
Indicates how objectives will be achieved
Clearly distinguish between main partners and other partners
Provide background information on your partner:
Goals/philosophy?
Area of intervention?
Relationship with the beneficiaries?
Cooperation track-record?
Role in the project
Describe the type of partnership you set up
Specify each partner’s role in the project (both in the project identification and in project management)
Rationale for selecting a particular or unique methodology (has it been tested or will it be pioneered in this project?
Project implementation structure: roles and responsibilities of all the project stakeholders, special bodies (project steering committee etc.), orgainigram, chart.
Activities:
What will be done?
How?
By whom?
Where?
By when?
Tips
Be as precise as possible and give enough details to reassure the donor
Cluster activities by expected result and number them accordingly
Use a work plan to summarise:
Example: training
How many persons?
For how long?
Which methodology will be used (seminars, in-house training, ad hoc courses, etc.)
Why is the training necessary?
Which new skills will the trainees acquire?
Risks/Assumptions:
A risk is an external factor that could potentially jeopardise your project and is beyond the control of the project management
Assumptions describe those external factors which are important for achieving your objectives
Why it is important?
It helps assess the factors which could jeopardise your project
It helps examining the project for completeness and consistency: if a risk has been identify that is likely to happen and affect your project, then you should include activities that will reduce it or change your strategy all together (“killer assumption)…
Means:
Human resources:
Explain the responsibilities and tasks of each key person in the project.
Justify the need for expatriate personnel
Material resources:
Give an explanation of the most important budget lines
Justify vehicles
Tips
Includes credentials of key staff, special qualifications or job description
Be realistic and honest in your assessment
Contents
Budget itself
Budget explanations and justifications: you need to justify the main budget lines. You can also analyse your budget in the narrative
Tips
Prepare your budget using your Plan of Action: Activities/Timeframe-> Means required-> how much it costs-> add for each budget line, year by year
Don’t inflate the budget: enquire about unit costs, enter only those costs which correspond to project activities
Follow carefully donor’s requirements (e.g. eligible costs, administrative costs)
Disaggregate your budget for each year
Why it is important?
Monitoring: to see whether your project is on track
Evaluation: to assess whether your project is effective, efficient, has an impact, is relevant, sustainable…
Remember: You need to provide guarantees that you will provide timely and accurate reports and that you will build on the lessons you learn throughout the project.
Where do you get the information from : indicators column in the logframe/ means of verification => M&E plan
Contents
What is monitored?
Why?
By whom?
How often?
Using which tools and methods? baseline survey, regular reports, specific studies, research
Institutional Sustainability : Who will own the property acquired under the project? Who will be responsible for the project after completion? How will the project be managed, maintained and run once the financing comes to an end?
Technical Sustainability: has the staff the capacity to manage the project or continue the activities (skills, knowledge, equipment)?
Socio-cultural Sustainability : how do you ensure that the project is accepted by the communities and by the beneficiaries? (involvement of beneficiaries). How will the project significantly affect their lives after it is completed? Can the project be replicated elsewhere?
Financial Sustainability : How will any project operating expenses be met? (cost recovery, grants from the government, etc.) Most funders like to see organisations develop the capacity to raise their own funds over the long run (through membership development, major donors, programme services fees, benefit events etc.)
Why is it important?
This is a very important section of the proposal because...
Donors want to be sure that their grant will not be lost at the end of the project and that we are already planning the phasing out of the project. A project is unlikely to be funded if donors perceive it is heading for a dead end.
Contents
Glossary
Maps (sometimes better at the beginning of the proposal, sometimes better two maps: now and after)
Statistics/ policy documents
Proof of registration and tax benefits for donors
Financial statement
Composition of Board of Directors
List of major donors to your organisation
Annual report, brochures & publications
Specific studies or evaluation reports Memorandum of agreement with partners
Letters of support
Pictures
Others...
Cover letter
(Use letterhead, should be signed by top official, mention project title, purpose, amount requested, contact person and list of enclosures)
Project proposal:
Title page with logo
Table of contents
Executive summary
Detailed proposal
Annexes
Requested attachments
(Submit all documents requested by the donor which are not already included in the annexes)