Strategic Collaborative Fund Phase 2

Who we are

SEI Asia, with support from the Swedish government (SIDA), launched the Strategic Collaborative Fund Phase 2 (SCF2) programme in 2018 to enhance the current 2030 Agenda efforts in Asia and the Pacific.

SCF2 aims to foster regional cooperation and policy dialogue for sustainable development and environmental sustainability, through capacity building, knowledge sharing and increased collaboration.

Human rights and gender equality are central to SCF2, as it champions regional and inter-regional collaboration for transboundary environmental policy development.

SCF2 invites potential partners to submit concept notes for regional environmental policy forums, with focus on seven key themes: climate change adaptation, climate finance, disaster risk reduction, urban, gender, water and agriculture.

What we seek

SCF2 welcomes concept notes for regional strategic events in Asia, specifically in South and Southeast Asia, that highlight the advancement of environmental sustainability, gender equality, human rights and poverty reduction.

The proposed events should include representatives from government, private sector, civil society, research or academic institutions and development partners to ensure an inclusive and substantive dialogue.

Based on specific contexts, SCF2-supported events should benefit the Asia-Pacific region, particularly marginalized groups including those living in poverty, women, youth, children, ethnic minorities and other environmentally vulnerable groups.

Grant value

This year, SEI will support seven themes (climate change adaptation, climate finance, disaster risk reduction, urban, gender, water and agriculture), covering one grant per theme.

A total of SEK 450,000 (approximately USD 45,000) will be awarded per grant. The grants can fund one or more events in their entirety or provide supplemental funding to already confirmed co-funded event(s). The delivery period of event organization and impact monitoring must be within the timeframe of one year, April 2020 – February 2021.

Grant recipient

Interested applicants must send proposal for events on any of the seven themes. Proposals should also include a human rights and gender angle, to be considered.

SEI and partners (the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law) will provide support during the preparation and/or implementation of events, as agreed with grantees, to help elaborate these perspectives.

1. Nonprofit organizations or networks that based in Asia can apply. Organizations outside the region can be considered if the proposed event addresses issues relevant to Asia and can engage regional stakeholders. They should:

• • Have experience in hosting relevant policy dialogues that engage different groups and stakeholders.
  • Feature key speakers and participants who are able to share knowledge and experience in environmental sustainability, while addressing cross-cutting issues of gender equality, human rights and poverty.

2. Private sector players can apply, if their proposal seeks to engage with the public sector and/or civil society organizations. Funding cannot be used for covering private sector actors’ participation in the supported event (related travel and accommodation expenses). It should, however, be used to increase participation of other stakeholders such as civil society and the public sector. A cost-sharing option for micro and small enterprises with resource constraints can be considered.
3. Organizations that are currently Sida’s grantees are not eligible to apply as the lead organization, but can be part of the consortium.

Selection criteria

The concept notes should:

• • Provide evidence of regional-level outreach and scope in the Asia region (South and Southeast Asia), as opposed to a country-level event
  • Address the thematic focus and relevance to environmentally sustainable and inclusive development
  • Demonstrate how the event leads to positive impact on gender equality, rights-based approaches and poverty reduction
  • Demonstrate how the event would target and benefit the citizens of the region, with particular attention to the poor, women and other marginalized groups
  • Ensure diverse participation including the public sector, private sector, civil society organizations, research and academic institutions and development partners
  • Use innovative methods and technologies to enhance participation and active discussion among participants
  • Show proponents’ institutional capacity for organizing regional events

Template

Please download the concept note template here.

Submission

Application deadline is 29 February 2020, 5.00pm (Indochina Time).

Kindly complete your concept note by using the template and upload your concept note through the online application form available at this link.

The evaluation process will take place in March 2020.  Successful applications will be notified through email by the end of April 2020.

For further information please contact Wanaporn Yangyuentham, Programme Manager (wanaporn.yangyuentham@sei.org).

SCF2 brings experts, policy makers and communities together in Asia on a regular basis to build the effective partnerships that are vital for reaching the 2030 Agenda in the region. The following are our upcoming events for  2019 and 2020. Please visit the link, or use the Fund contact for more information.

July

29 – 30, Yokohama, Japan: Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) Annual Conference

The Role of Consumer in Triggering Changes in Consumption & Production

Partner: the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)

September

17 – 18, Nanning, China: China ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Forum

Promote and Foster Regional Green Growth: Best Practices for Eco-city Development and Sustainable Ocean Ecosystem Management

Partner: Center for International Cooperation and Exchange, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) of the People’s Republic of China

October

8 – 9, Yogyakarta, Indonesia:  Challenges and Opportunities on Indigenous Knowledge System and Practices and Rights-Based Sustainable Development: A Southeast Asian Forum

Theme: Climate Change Adaptation

Partner: Samdhana Institute

13 – 17, Penang, Malaysia: “Grassroots Community Resilience” at the Asia-Pacific Urban Forum 7 (APUF-7)

Theme: Disaster Risk Reduction

Partner: Asia Coalition for Housing Rights

16 – 18, Bangkok, Thailand: Regional Consultation to Promote Actions to Improve Asian Deltas Resilience

Theme: Water

Partner: WWF Greater Mekong

27-30, Quezon Province, The Philippines: 9th Southeast Asian human rights and business conference

Theme: Energy

Partner: Forest Peoples Programme

29, Singapore: Roundtable on the Environment and Social Inclusion: This event will focus on four main themes: 1) Sustainable financing for circularity; 2) Producer to Consumer Sustainability (P2CS); 3) Closing the loop, gender & plastic and 4) Climate-friendly energy in agriculture.

November

18 – 19, Singapore: Responsible Business Forum

Circularity 2030: Next generation leaders.

December

2 – 4, Bangkok, Thailand: Climate Smart Women Connect: Climate and Gender Justice for Indigenous Women in Asia

Theme: Gender

Partner: CUSO International

 January 2020

21-22, Vientiane, Laos: Regional Dialogue Workshop on Green and Sustainable Agriculture

Theme: Agriculture

Partner: Department of Policy and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Laos

June 2020

8-12, The Climate Finance Track at the AVPN 2020 Virtual Conference 

Theme: Climate Finance

Partner: Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Limited

Midterm Review Consultant for Strategic Collaborative Fund Phase II

With support from the Government of Sweden, the Strategic Collaborative Fund (SCF Phase II) is looking for a mid-term review consultant evaluate the programme progress against initial plans, assess current status against expected outcomes, work plan and its set targets, and to make solid recommendations for the best way forward to ensure the programme achieves its agreed objectives.

Purpose 

The purpose of the midterm review is to take stock of programme progress against initial plans, assess where the programme stands now against the expected outcomes, work plan and its set targets, and to make solid recommendations for the best way forward to ensure the programme achieves its agreed objectives

The midterm review will serve as a guide for all parties concerned (Sida, SEI and the granted event organizers) to help improve the effective implementation of the remaining period.

Midterm review focus

 The midterm review shall focus on:

1. Assess how the programme contributes to promoting environmental sustainability, improving policy dialogues and regional collaboration and partnership, addressing gender inclusiveness, human rights integration and poverty reduction.
2. Assess if relevant issues and priorities in the regional context (Asia, with a specific focus on South East Asia) are aligned with SEI’s priorities and capacity support
3. Assess the efficacy of the design and implementation plan in achieving the programme goals and objectives.
4. Assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges the programme is facing in achieving its stated goals and objectives.
5. Assess the realistic prospects of achieving the expected outcomes by the end of the programme, given its stage of implementation and remaining time and resources.
6. Assess the effectiveness, roles and responsibility of all active proponents of programme management and ongoing management process.
7. Assess and review the current monitoring system, including the programme MEL framework, in terms of its effectiveness and sufficiency.
8. Assess how the programme benefits organizations and partners in the region.
9. Review how has SCF programme identified and managed risks.
10. Assess the relation between different proportions of funding to events, and the expected role and influence of SEI and the programme can give, as well as the impacts of this contribution to the whole event.
11. Assess how the aspects of environment, gender equality and human rights are well integrated in the programme and the supported events.

Qualification of reviewer

• International or regional consultant with academic and professional competencies in fields related to environmental sustainability, gender and development;
• At least 10 years of relevant experience especially in Asia region;
• Substantive experience in regional programme monitoring and evaluation;
• Excellent English writing and communication and analytical skills.
• Demonstrate ability to assess complex situations, succinctly distilling critical issues, and drawing forward-looking conclusions and recommendations;
• Willingness to travel within the region (Asia, especially Southeast Asia).

Desirable qualifications

• Substantive experience in reviewing and evaluating similar projects, preferably those involving Swedish International Development Agency or other major donors;
• Highly knowledgeable of participatory monitoring and evaluation processes;
• Familiarity with the issues, challenges and priorities in developing countries within the region, in the area of environmental sustainability, which addresses gender inclusiveness and poverty reduction;

Deadline

Please send cover letter, curriculum vitae, and report sample at scf@sei.org on or before 31 July 2020, 11:59 p.m. (GMT +7)