Answers to questions received by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund related to the Call for Proposals: Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Biodiversity Hotspot
As of March 22, 2010
Q: What is the anticipated starting date for the MPAH RIT/when is the contract likely to be awarded?
A: We expect to finalize the RIT contract in June 2010 and therefore the grant would have a July 1, 2010 start date.
Q: Can we use some of the small grant fund allocation (estimated to be up to $500,000) for administration/management of these funds? Or does the $550,000 allocation to the RIT include the small grant fund management?
A: The $550,000 awarded for the RIT grant includes all administration/management of the small grant funds. The allocation of approximately $500,000 for small grants is fully dedicated to the grants themselves.
Q: If we entered into a partnership with a partner organization to implement the small grant management function, would this partner organization be excluded from accessing funds from the larger grant for project implementation?
A: Yes, the partner organization would be excluded from receiving grants. Since the RIT is contracted under one agreement, the consortium presented will formally represent the RIT and as such is subject to all of the conflict of interest provisions governing the RIT. We have made the stipulation so that there is no possibility that issues of conflict of interest will be raised during the decision-making process for awarding grants.
Q: In light of the fact that the allocation of funds to the RIT is very low and the definite need for training and capacity building of potential grantees around project development support, particularly in Mozambique and Swaziland, would it be possible for the RIT to also fulfill the functions outlined in Outcome 4 of the ecosystem profile? The additional funds would allow for beefed-up coordination in the three regions and possibly outsourcing of the training component.
A: Because of the conflict of interest policy that prohibits the RIT from receiving any grant other than the RIT grant, awarding another grant to the RIT to fulfill SD4 objectives is not possible. Therefore, instead of "outsourcing" the training component, the RIT would be responsible for ensuring that appropriate organizations develop relevant projects and are awarded grants to address SD4 objectives, and would do this through the tasks outlined in SD5.
Q: Would the RIT be eligible to apply for funding for specific conservation projects from the grant?
A: The RIT is not eligible to receive additional funds from CEPF to implement conservation projects in the region. The CEPF Operational Manual states: “To avoid conflict of interest at the hotspot level, the organizations that comprise the Regional Implementation Team (whether international or local civil society groups) will not be eligible for additional grants in that hotspot.” (OM 2.2)
Q: Whether there will be a separate RIT for the small grants facility and, if so, would (x organization) be able to bid for that role and still qualify for funding for our larger initiatives?
A: There will not be a separate RIT for the small grants mechanism; the selected RIT oversees the small grants mechanism as part of its Terms of Reference.
Q: In response to your call for Request for Proposals I'm assuming that the submission date of the 4th of April applies to completion of the Letter of Inquiry. Or, does this need to be sent before that date? Please could you let me know as soon as possible?
A: If this email is related to the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany RIT call for proposals, the CEPF letter of inquiry does not need to be submitted for this particular call for proposals. If you are interested in applying to be the RIT, send an email to cepfgrants indicating that you are interested in applying and at that time the applications forms and instructions will be sent to you. The full proposal including all supporting materials is due by April 5, 2010.