Call for CONCEPT NOTES for activities to support Palestinian...

CALL FOR CONCEPT NOTES FOR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT PALESTINIAN VISION FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION

august 2024

BACKGROUND

Palestinian leaders are struggling with legitimacy in the eyes of many Palestinians, and hampered by an economic crisis which makes maintaining even basic services and paying the wages of government employees an ongoing predicament. Politically, the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation have been struggling to establish a unified and well-articulated strategy for conflict resolution, undermined further by the war in Gaza which does not provide a conducive environment for political resolution of the conflict. Any internal progress will need to address public challenges to the relevance and capability of Palestinian institutions stemming from both Israeli and Palestinian actions alike.

OBJECTIVE

ASI is calling on civil society organisations to submit ideas in the form of concept notes for activities that would attempt to address the issue of authority and legitimacy in Palestinian negotiating positions and address gaps in Palestinian coherence around negotiating positions and the resolution of the conflict.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

ACTIVITY THEMES

The applicants are encouraged to propose activities that are innovative, action oriented, and aimed at coalition building and organising rather than activities limited to dialogue sessions. This could include inter-CSO coordination, or integration of broader more inclusive perspectives on conflict resolution that might enable broader public support. Unconventional approaches, out-of-the-box and non-traditional ideas will be considered.

GENERAL AND ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

The call for proposals process is open to Palestinian civil society organisations and organisations working in partnership with Palestinian institutions. Organisations that are applying for technical and financial support for their activities should submit a project proposal in English or Arabic.

ASI may conduct capacity assessments of shortlisted partners prior to selection according to the criteria set out in Annex 1 below.

DATA VERIFICATION

To ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the information provided in the concept notes, ASI will conduct a thorough data verification process for potentially selected applicants. This will include, but is not limited to, the following:

Due Diligence Review:

• Potentially selected applicants will be required to submit supporting documents such as certificates of incorporation, tax registration, audited financial statements, proof of legal compliance, and any other relevant documentation.
• ASI will verify the submitted information through internal checks, which may involve contacting references, third parties, and conducting searches against public records, sanctions lists, and other relevant databases.
• This review will assess the organisations’ legal standing, financial health, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Follow-Up Requests:

• If discrepancies or incomplete information are identified during the verification process, ASI may request further clarification or additional documents from the applicants.

DISCLAIMER

The submission of information and documentation as part of this process does not guarantee funding or any other form of support. ASI reserves the sole discretion to determine whether to issue funds or enter into agreements with potential applicants based on a comprehensive evaluation of all submissions. The decision to fund or contract any activity lies entirely with ASI and is subject to our internal review and approval process.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

All information provided during the data verification process will be treated confidentially and in accordance with ASI’s Data Protection and Data Retention Policies:  https://adamsmithinternational.com/privacy-policy/

CONCEPT NOTE

LANGUAGE AND FORMAT    

To maintain conciseness and brevity, concept notes should not exceed 3 pages but should address briefly all the sections bellow. The concept note could be submitted in English or Arabic.

1. Project Objective

Describe the project's objective and how it aligns with the call for proposals' objective. Include a theory of change.

2. Project Activities

Describe project activities and their links to the objective. Explain how the activity will be implemented. Include a description of the targeted audience and beneficiaries and the methods for reaching them. Provide information on geographical areas where the activities will be implemented.

3. Organisational information

Provide official contacts of the organisation. If you are applying on behalf of a coalition, include a contact of each coalition organisation. Describe the legal status of the organisation.

4. Capacity statement

Describe why your organisation is well positioned to implement the project. Point out partnerships that you have or that you plan to establish. Provide information on other projects that your organisation is currently implementing or has previously implemented.

5. Staff implementing project

Brief statement on how many staff will be involved in the activity.

6. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Describe how gender equality and social inclusion will be addressed in the project. Link these considerations to the overall project objective. Include a description of the specific marginalised groups targeted and the methods for reaching them. Provide brief information on how gender and social inclusion will be ensured across all geographical areas where the activities will be implemented.

7. Deliverables of the project

Describe the deliverables of the project and try to quantify them. Deliverables could be trainings, publications, manuals, leaflets, posters, public meetings, etc.

8. Calendar of project activities

Provide timeline of the activities. If applicable, include geographical areas and places where you will hold the activity. If the proposed project extends beyond March 2025, the timeline of activities should be divided into two phases, with the first phase ending in March 2025.

9. Project Budget

Provide estimated budget. A detailed budget, budget narrative, or any specific format will be requested at a later stage from the shortlisted applicants.

SUBMISSION AND PROCESS

Send your Concept Note to [email protected] with subject “ACTIVITY CONCEPT NOTE – [insert organisation name]”.

The organisations whose concept notes are shortlisted will be contacted directly to develop a full proposal in consultation with ASI.

ANNEX 1: CAPACITY ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Technical Capacity:

This includes an evaluation of the organisation’s specific expertise and readiness to manage and execute the proposed activities effectively, considering their familiarity with the local context and challenges.

Partnerships and Collaboration:

The ability to form and sustain effective partnerships, both within civil society and with key stakeholders, will be considered. Existing relationships that could enhance the project’s success will be noted.

Management and Operational Capacity:

We will consider the organisation’s internal management structures and operational capabilities to ensure they can efficiently oversee the project, including financial and logistical management.

Legal and Compliance Requirements:

The organisation must demonstrate that it meets all necessary legal and regulatory requirements to operate in the relevant jurisdictions. This includes holding all required licenses and ensuring compliance with applicable local and international laws.

Financial Stability and Transparency:

The organisation’s financial health and its ability to manage project funds responsibly will be verified, with a focus on transparency and adherence to financial best practices.

Sustainability and Impact:

We will evaluate the organisation’s strategies for ensuring that project outcomes are sustainable and impactful in the long term, beyond the immediate funding period.

Risk Management:

The organisation’s approach to identifying and mitigating risks, particularly in challenging environments like Palestine, will be assessed to ensure project success and safety.