Call for proposals
Purpose
The Netherlands Albert Schweitzer Fund (NASF) supports and empowers communities in Sub-Saharan
Africa to create a healthy living environment, to improve health literacy and to strengthen health care by financing small-scale local health initiatives (projects) in Sub-Saharan Africa. To this end, NASF supports projects in the field of the following thematic areas, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 1. Clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), 2. Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), 3. Pollution protection and management, 4. Primary Health Care, 5. Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (including nutrition), 6. Rehabilitation and support and 7. Mental health care and psychosocial support. These projects are being implemented in several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa – with a main focus on Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Ghana – with the ultimate goal that people from vulnerable communities in Sub-Saharan Africa are also able to take control of their own health. NASF works with health pioneers who are committed to identify appropriate solutions and open up new and innovative ways towards a sustainable improvement in health.
Every year, NASF finances approximately 25 projects, with an average contribution of EUR 7,000 per project.
Who can apply
The Netherlands Albert Schweitzer Fund (NASF) welcomes applications from African health pioneers and organisations, such as grassroots non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, civil society groups, women’s groups, schools and clinics, based in the focus countries, as long as the organisation 1) has a local bank account and 2) is responsible for the project implementation and reporting. NASF particularly welcomes new or innovative ideas from health pioneers addressing health problems in vulnerable communities.
When to apply
Each year, NASF opens the call(s) for proposals for small-scale local health initiatives on a specific date. The precise date for each call for proposals will be published on the website approximately 3 months in advance.
The tender will be open for applications until sufficient proposals have been received for each thematic area (this time frame varies from 1 day up to 1 week).
What to submit
To apply for funding from NASF, the following information will need to be submitted: 1. the completed application form, 2. the completed bank account sheet, 3. a detailed project budget and 4. recent photos that support the application, such as the existing situation before the start of the project and the beneficiaries. Your application for funding will only be considered when all the required documents are included. The required application forms can be found online: https://www.nasf.nl/project-applications/project-applications-english/
Selection process
NASF receives many more applications than can be supported each year. Therefore, NASF applies a thorough selection process to assess the applications submitted and select the projects that are most in line with its mission.
NASF applies a three-step selection and assessment process for all proposals. In order to be considered for funding, the proposals are screened against the threshold and selection criteria, and findings from this screening will be verified through project visits.
- The first step determines the threshold or the eligibility of the project proposals. All applications must meet the following minimum standards: the proposal should include all 4 required documents and 1. focus on health, 2. be implemented in one of the focus countries, 3. concern a small-scale, one-off project, and 4. be initiated locally and requested by an African organisation. If an application does not meet all threshold criteria, it will be rejected.
- Subsequently, the proposals are reviewed based on the selection criteria regarding the justification of the need for the project (or urgency), the feasibility of the project, the expected health effects for the target group, and the sustainability (long-term viability) of the project.
All project criteria can be found in the document called Project Criteria for NASF financial support.
Project proposals which align most closely with the selection criteria will be selected. Before moving to the next step of the process, NASF may like to obtain more information about the organisation or the project proposal. NASF might ask additional questions for clarification, documentation, statements or references by email. When we have received all information, the Board of NASF will decide whether the project proposal will be (conditionally) approved or rejected. Occasionally, NASF will also approach external experts to seek advice on the project applications.
- The conditional approval from the Board will be followed by a visit to the applying organisation and the project site. The project visit will be conducted by an in-country and independent volunteer with the aim to provide more insights into and understanding of the proposed project in the given context and the organisation. The project visitor collects information and submits a project visit report, which will be discussed by the Board. Subsequently, the Board will decide whether to finance or reject the project.
Conclusion of the selection process
All organisations will receive written notification informing them whether their proposal has been approved or rejected for funding.
Agreement
In case the Board decides to finance the project, an official agreement between NASF and the organisation will be formulated and signed. Funds will then be transferred in the local currency into a local bank account in the name of the applicant organisation. NASF will request an acknowledgement of receipt of the funds transferred, followed by a project implementation plan (work plan) in which all project activities are described. The project should be completed within one year of the date of receipt of the funds transfer.
Monitoring and evaluation
The organisation will need to inform NASF regularly about the progress, at least 3 times per year. NASF requests that digital pictures of relevant activities – following instructions from the agreement – will be shared with a short written update by email or WhatsApp. The project will be implemented in accordance with the approved budget. In case the organisation is facing challenges with implementation or deviations from the budget or work plan, NASF should be informed in advance and as soon as possible.
To evaluate the project, the organisation should submit 1) the completed project assessment form, 2) the project report with pictures of the activities and results and 3) the financial report with digital copies of receipts. NASF might invite the local representative to conduct a monitoring or an assessment visit to confirm the reported monitoring and/or evaluation results.