CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 2018 QUALITY SEED UPTAKE FUND

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Andra Melina Conley
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1 CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 2018 QUALITY SEED UPTAKE FUND 1.0 About the ISSD Plus project The Integrated Seed Sector Development programme in Uganda (ISSD Uganda) aims to support the development of a vibrant, pluralistic and market-oriented seed sector, providing smallholder farmers access to affordable quality seed of superior varieties. This will contribute to increased income for small-scale farmers and an increased number of rural households that are seed and food secure. An integrated seed sector development (ISSD) programme builds upon the strengths of both the formal (public and private) and informal (farmers and community-based) seed systems and seeks to consolidate them. The ISSD Plus project which runs 2017 to 2020 is operating in the East, South Western Highlands (Kigezi area), Western Highlands (Rwenzori area), South Western, Northern Zone and a presence in the West Nile zone agro-ecological zone. The project implements its activities through the Zonal Agricultural Research and Development institutes (ZARDIs) of National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO). The ZARDIs involved in the project include; Buginyanya ZARDI for the East, Kachwekano ZARDI for the Kigezi area, Rwebitaba ZARDI for the Rwenzori area, Mbarara ZARDI for the South Western and Ngetta ZARDI for the North and West Nile zone. The project has four major objectives: i) Seed producers have easy access to early generation seed of high quality; ii) Professional local seed production serving the demands of smallholder producers (focus on local seed businesses LSBs); iii) Farm households increase use of quality seed; iv) Private sector led professionalization of horticultural. Since the ISSD project has a broader and more inclusive focus on the seed sector, it will support innovative processes aimed at resolving bottlenecks on both the supply and demand side of the seed value chain. This call for proposals specifically focuses on objective (iii) of the project. 2.0 Background to objective (iii): Farm households increase use of quality seed On seed use practices, ISSD Uganda clearly demonstrate that for the target crops of the project, the majority of farmers are not in the habit of replacing their seed as recommended which has a negative implication on crop productivity. Therefore, in addition to the challenges around availability and access to quality seed, use of quality seed is another major bottleneck that needs attention in the seed sector. To deliberately target an increase in use of quality seed by farmers, the project aims at removing four underlying causes of limited use of quality seed; 1. The lack of awareness on the availability of quality seed 2. The real or perceived lack of quality seed available at convenient locations nearby 3. The lack of cash to purchase seed 4. The lack of knowledge on the economic benefits of investing in quality seed The four limitations will be addressed by ISSD and partners that have a mandate and vested interest in increasing smallholder farmers use of quality seed. In 2017, ISSD initiated quality seed awareness through interventions through radio campaigns and road

2 shows. To increase farmer access to quality seed, the project is also initiated activities aimed at diversifying seed sale points e.g. sale of seed through weekly village markets and seasonal seed fairs. In 2018, the project plans to additionally engage partners in the efforts to increase quality seed uptake by smallholder farmers through the Uptake Partnership Fund. This is a grant aimed at facilitating partners to influence farmers uptake of quality seed through the use of innovative approaches. This grant will support initiatives to increase use of both certified seed produced by seed companies and quality declared seed (QDS) produced and marketed by local seed business (LSB) groups. In this call for proposals, the ISSD Plus project will support six innovation projects, with a grant size of not more than EUR 16,667, with an additional 50% matching contribution from the grantee. See to get more information on the ISSD Plus project. 3.0 Objective of the call for proposals This call for proposals is aimed at soliciting participation of applicants in a competitive process to select organisations that will work with ISSD to conduct innovative quality seed promotion activities that influence increased use of quality seed by smallholder farmers for at least two crops. The Innovation The fund can be used for different thematic areas as listed below; a) Improving farmer knowledge and perception on quality seed use through effective awareness creation approaches (this should not include marketing of varieties and the demonstration methodology should not be used) b) Increasing farmers access to quality seed c) Increasing affordability of quality seed by smallholder farmers e.g. use of small packs e.t.c d) Any other approach that contributes to increasing quality seed uptake Proposals submitted under either thematic areas should have an innovative aspect to make them competitive and worth investing in. By innovativeness, the proposal should employ a new idea not already used by the ISSD Plus project. The idea or methodology can however be one borrowed from any other value chain for piloting in the seed value chain. Note that the on-going quality seed uptake interventions being conducted by the ISSD Plus project include road shows, seed fairs, radio awareness campaign, promotion by quality seed champions in rural communities and sale of quality seed through weekly village markets. 4.0 Areas of operation Proposed activities should only be planned in the priority zones of Western Highlands (covering the Rwenzori area) and Eastern agro-ecological zone (covering Bugisu, Busoga and Sebei area) of Uganda. 5.0 Implementation timeline Proposed action must be implemented over a one year period (the two crop production seasons of 2018A and 2018B) and does not have to include months that are not relevant to the goal of the grant fund. This is with regard to farmer practices of seed purchase for each of the two seasons in the year. 6.0 Funding 2

3 The grant award which is 50% of the total financial proposal will be not more than EUR 16,667, to be paid out in disbursements as will be recommended. The applicant is also expected to provide matching (co-fund) funds worth 50% of the total financial proposal; this can be in the form of both cash and in-kind contribution. The amounts, kinds and sources of these matching resources from the grantee must be identified in the application. 7.0 Eligible applicants Proposals are encouraged from seed companies and the Uganda Seed Trade Association. All potential applicants must have a legal registration status in Uganda; and should be able to demonstrate managerial and financial commitment to the implementation of the innovation project activities. 8.0 Guidelines for proposal preparation A template to guide preparation of both the narrative and financial proposal is attached to the annex of this call for proposals. The financial proposal should be prepared and submitted as a separate excel document as indicated in the proposal template provided. Take note of the 50% matching funds requirement in preparation of the financial proposal. 9.0 Proposal submission Proposals need to be submitted on 29 th January 2018 before 5:00pm EAT. Submitted documentation should include: A fully filled in proposal form that follows the provided template A completed budget in line with the budget format (sent as a separate excel sheet) Fully filled in and signed signature page A scanned business license as an Annex and partner(s) organization support letter (if any involved). All documents need to be addressed and sent to the ISSD Uganda Innovation Fund by innovation-fund@issduganda.org. An notification will be sent to the applicant upon receipt of the proposal within one week. Results from the proposal evaluation will be announced before 7 th February 2018 and successful applicants will be contacted for further discussions and due diligence Proposal Evaluation After passing the pre-screening of minimum eligibility criteria by ISSD Plus, a selection Committee will evaluate applications on the basis of 5 criteria: i. Applicant track record (20%): The extent to which the applicant and her institution/company are capable of undertaking and accomplishing the proposed activities, based principally on the applicant s background and track record ii. iii. Problem analysis and objectives (20%): The action proposal must show an advanced level of understanding of the quality seed uptake problem; and sets clear priorities for solve them. The problem analysis and objectives show a logical flow, and the envisaged solutions are realistic Sector impact and scalability (20%): The envisaged outputs and outcomes of the project will have an impact beyond the individual applicant s benefits; e.g. in terms of smallholder farmers reached and changes created. The results can be replicated at other locations in a cost-effective way 3

4 iv. Innovativeness (20%): This is the degree to which the proposed products and/or services are new to the seed sector; and show a high level of uniqueness. The grant contribution should not replicate interventions already conducted but rather build on them v. Value for money (20%): The relationship between the co-financing grant that is requested and the significance and quality of the projected outcomes (as mentioned above in the objectives). It also relates to the ambition level of the proposal, e.g. in terms of number of farmers to be reached and changes expected in farmer seed use. In addition, this indicator assesses whether the resources requested are reasonable in the context of the proposed project Note: Proposals need to be submitted on 29 th January 2018 before 5:00pm EAT addressed and sent to the ISSD Uganda Innovation Fund by innovationfund@issduganda.org. 4

5 Annex 1: PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM 0. GENERAL GUIDELINES Please adhere to the form s format provided below, as changes will render the proposal invalid. You are requested to fill out every section by at least addressing the lead questions and points of attention. After filling out the form, please erase all lead questions and points of attention, only leaving your own text. Please note that the completed proposal form, excluding signature page and annexes, MUST NOT exceed 10 pages. Please submit one copy of your completed proposal form and annexes to ISSD Uganda by via innovation-fund@issduganda.org. All applications must reach ISSD Uganda s mailbox on or before the deadline 1. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Received on Received by Application No 2. APPLICANT AND PARTNER INFORMATION Please provide company information in boxes below. Changes to boxes will render the proposal invalid. 2.1 Project Title: 2.2 General Information Yes No Ugandan business license attached (obligatory) CV of principal project manager attached (obligatory) Supporting letter from partner organization(s) attached (obligatory for partnerships, not for single applicants) 2.3 Applicant Information Name of applying organisation: Name of organisation s representative: Main business activity of organisation: 5

6 Year organisation registered: Legal form of the organisation (obligatory): Organisation registration number: 2.4 Applicant Location Region: District: House No. Postal address: address: Website (if applicable): Phone number: 2.5 Details of Contact Persons Applicant Head of organisation and at least one other staff involved in the project. The principal project manager should at least be included in the table below. Name Position address Phone number 2.6 Upcoming and Past (up to last 3 years) Support Received Applicant Name of Donor Amount (EURO) Project Supported (Name, Objective, Period) 2.7 Partner information (if applicable) Name of organization: Partner 1 Partner 2 6

7 Type (Company, NGO, Association): Main activity: Year of registration: Physical address: Name of representative: address representative: Phone number representative: 2.8 Company Profile and Partner Profile (if applicable) Please provide the track record of your organisation in terms of main activities so far related to technology transfer to farmers In case of a partnership with another organization, please also describe: Major services/ activities of the partner organisation Has your organisation worked with the partner organisation before? If yes, provide brief information of the activities conducted, their objectives and outcomes. What complementarity will be created by your organisation working with this partner? How will the partners cooperate during project implementation, including responsibilities of each partner Please, limit this to ONLY ½ page 3. PROJECT INFORMATION Please provide the project information using the prescribed format below, and at least answer the lead questions and points of attention given. Please note that you are limited to the spaces provided per section, and that no extra pages will be accepted. 3.1 Thematic Area of Focus Yes No Improving farmer knowledge and perception on quality seed use through effective awareness creation approaches (this 7

8 should not include marketing of varieties and the demonstration methodology should not be used) Increasing farmers access to quality seed Increasing affordability of quality seed by smallholder farmers e.g. use of small packs e.t.c Any other approach that contributes to increasing quality seed uptake 3.2 Problem Analysis Provide a problem analysis for your project. At least answer the following questions: How does your proposal address the topics as described in the call for proposals? What specific challenge in quality seed use does your project address? Please, limit this to ONLY ½ page 3.3 Objectives Provide a description of what your organization plans to accomplish through the project. Clearly spell out the specific results or outcomes you plan to achieve. Please, limit this to ONLY ½ page 8

9 3.4 Activities and Expected Deliverables Provide a detailed description of the proposed activities by objective and the expected deliverables. Please limit this to one page and in format below. Objectives Activities Deliverables Timeline

10 3.5 Innovativeness How does the project offer new or improved ways of increasing quality seed use by farmers? How does the project s methodology differ from those that have been used by ISSD Plus project and other projects and why do you think it will create more impact than conventional methods? Please, limit this to ONLY ½ page 3.6 Project Impact Elaborate how the envisaged project contributes to increased farmers use of quality seed. To what extent can the activities be up scaled after the life of the project? In addition, provide a description of how the project has direct and/or indirect impact in the increased uptake of quality seed by smallholder farmers. At least select two indicators from the following list: Number of farmers reached through awareness creation activities conducted Number of farmers accessing new quality seed access points created and the advantages that these points have over other seed access points Number of smallholder farmers that bought quality seed (by crop and variety) following the project activities Number of permanent jobs created for men as a result of the project; and the monthly salaries of these jobs? Number of permanent jobs created for women as a result of the project, and the monthly salaries of these jobs? Number of non-permanent jobs created for men as a result of the project, and the monthly salaries of these jobs? Number of non-permanent jobs created for women as a result of the project, and the monthly salaries of these jobs? Please, limit this to ONLY ½ page 3.7 Link of project to organization activities and goals How does the project contribute or link to other major activities of your organization? Please, limit this to ONLY ½ page 3.8 Project Management 10

11 Please provide a detailed description of key staff and their qualifications, and how the various tasks and responsibilities are going to be assigned within the project. Please limit this to 1 page and in format below (add more rows as required). Name of project staff and organization Position and brief profile Responsibilities in the project 3.9 Budget provide in table below Name of Applicant Title of Project Currency No. Budget Line UGX Overall Project Budget Co-financing Quantity Unit-price Total Organisation ISSD-UG Total 1. Item A

12 2. Item B Item C Item D X Grand Total Co-financing (own contribution) Basing on the applicant s contribution to the project, indicate: How much the in-kind contribution is and how much the cash contribution is How will you finance the own contribution? Please, limit this to ONLY ¼ page 12

13 4. SIGNATURE PAGE BY SIGNING THIS PROPOSAL FORM, YOU ARE DECLARING THAT YOU HAVE CHECKED AND VERIFIED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED THEREIN TO BE TRUE IN SUBSTANCE AND FORM. SUBSEQUENTLY, ANY INFORMATION FOUND TO BE UNTRUE WILL RENDER THE PROPOSAL NULL AND VOID. Name of head of company / institution: Position / Job Title: Date: Signature: Please note that the proposal cannot be processed without having been duly signed by the company head Attachments (Obligatory) 1. A completed budget in line with the budget format (attached as an excel sheet) 2. Business license (front & back page). 3. CV of the principal project manager (Max. 2 pages ONLY) Support letter(s) from partner organization(s) if any involved (Max. 1 page per pa 13

Systematic Review Round 7 Application Form

Systematic Review Round 7 Application Form SR7/1063 1. BASIC PROJECT INFO (i) Title of Proposed Review * Systematic review question.download detailed SR7 questions here Title of the study if more focused