DGM Nepal project has a competitive grant scheme which aims to finance IPLC-led, Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)-based, income-generating sub-projects, sub-projects to empower women that helps to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, support sustainable forest management, and enhance forest carbon stocks.
The grants aim to finance sub-projects supported by IPLC beneficiaries that are already involved or interested in forest-relevant climate change adaptation activities, SFM, forest-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), nature-based solutions, forest ecosystem services, promotion of indigenous traditional skills and livelihoods, and enhancing local partnership.
The grants will support the common interests of IPs and LCs and are consistent with the DGM Nepal project objective.
Legally Registered IPLC groups or organizations, as well as individuals from Madhesh and Lumbini Province, must have a valid Permanent Account Number (PAN) or Value Added Tax (VAT) Number. Those without PAN and VAT can apply in collaboration with individuals or entities already possessing these numbers.
Potential beneficiaries may include (illustrative list) but are not limited to:
- Agro-forestry-based cooperatives or farmers’ groups;
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Indigenous People’s Organizations (IPOs);
- Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs)
- Family Forest Owners and Natural Resource Managing Women’s Groups
- Agro-forestry based technology development/research institutes;
- Private sector companies working on value addition of agro-forest products and marketing of agro-forest-based products; and
- Consortia of organizations that can promote collaboration have a more significant impact on the DGM Nepal Project grant.
Depending on demand and REoI theme, grants may range between Rs.6,00000 and a maximum of Rs.45,00000 per beneficiary. The National Executing Agency will review the proposed costs for the sub-projects during the screening of the EOI and the detailed budget during the assessment of the full sub-project proposals.
- In the event of misappropriation of funds or underperformance, the authority will investigate and determine whether the beneficiary has violated the grant agreement. The authority may notify the beneficiary to suspend the implementation of the sub-project and stop the implementation process. Reasons for suspension may include:
- The sub-project has not been implemented as planned or has failed to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the contract and its action plan/results framework; If there is a sudden threat to the environment that was not there before;
- Disputes, issues, or controversies related to sub-project delivery; If the activities fall under the negative list or non-eligibility criteria mentioned in the PAD.
- if there is misuse or misappropriation of the grant support and if the sub-project has not followed the ESMF Safeguard. Grantees will be notified to correct the issues within the allocated period. If the corrections are done within the given time, NEA will withdraw the suspension. If the issues are not corrected, the sub-project will be closed and the grant agreement will be terminated.
- If there is a sudden threat to the environment that was not there before; Disputes, issues, or controversies related to sub-project delivery;
- If the activities fall under the negative list or non-eligibility criteria mentioned in the PAD;
- If grant assistance is misappropriated or misused; and if the sub-project does not comply with the ESMF safeguards. Grantees will be notified to correct the issues within a specified period. The authority will withdraw the suspension if rectified within the stipulated time. If the problems are not corrected, the sub-project will be closed and the grant agreement will be terminated.
- When each party fails to perform its duties successfully as per the grant agreement, then the grant agreement is terminated as a matter of law.
- When the grantee becomes unable to continue and complete the sub-project, or when unforeseeable events occur leading to inability to continue the sub-project activities.
- When one party breaches the terms of the grant agreement or fails to perform activities as agreed in the grant agreement.
- When one party intentionally misleads the other party, it is referred to as "fraud in the inducement." RRN as NEA reserves the right to stop work prior to taking a more drastic remedy of termination if the subproject is not proceeding in accordance with the grant agreement.
Prior to termination, NEA will give a 7-day written notice to the beneficiary in question and issue a termination letter if needed. If a grant agreement must be terminated, the beneficiary is obliged to pay back to NEA the sub-project amount in full. Once the grant agreement is terminated, NEA will inform the representative of the organization/groups who recommended the beneficiary that he/she did not successfully implement the sub-project with reasons for incompletion. In case a beneficiary is unable to finalize project implementation due to personal reasons (i.e. illness), NEA will terminate the grant agreement and not pursue the recovery of the already spent resources.
The co-financing is not mandatory but if the budget for a sub-project exceeds US$45,000, the beneficiary is responsible for securing co-financing resources for the sub-project. In this case, the beneficiary would need to submit, together with the full sub-project proposal, a co-financing letter from the funding source confirming the amount, and approval status. The letter should indicate the type of co-financing – in-cash or in-kind (i.,e. labor and materials).
The National Executing Agency (NEA) will disburse the installment amounts to the sub-project beneficiaries on submission of the statement of expenses as specified in their agreement with NEA. The installment percentage should be progressive so that the recipients may not face financial difficulty in funding the sub-projects. The sub-project beneficiaries may provide their share of financing also in-cash or in-kind if required. Sub-projects that leverage additional resources are encouraged as this will enhance ownership and sustainability of the results. Depending on the theme of the EoI (e.g., business improvement or development), an EoI may specify the expected co-financing ratio the potential beneficiary would need to meet for the sub-project.
Yes. Complaints can be lodged through multiple channels, including the Toll-Free number 1-6600-123254the dedicated Email grm@rrn.org.npand our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Additionally, grievances can be conveyed verbally to the project's field staff in respective provinces or PMU staff in the central office. Complaint Boxes will be available in NEA offices in Kathmandu, as well as in project areas within each province (Lumbini and Madhesh) at field offices and associated locations. Received complaints from these sources will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Staff members collecting verbal complaints must document them in writing, including the complainant's reference person's details for consideration. Anonymous complaints, even if submitted by phone, will be accepted. Information regarding the various complaint submission channels will be prominently displayed on RRN's official websites, local media, flyers, social media platforms, and during workshops, events, and training sessions organized by RRN.
(i) NSC sets REoI topics and budget; NEA issues and manages the process, announcing it through various channels. Details include grant scope, eligibility, and submission requirements.
(ii) EoI process involves template completion and profile submission. NEA screens for completeness, eligibility, relevance, and adherence to guidelines. EoI template includes a section for training needs in project proposal development.
(iii) Proponents who pass the EoI screening will be invited by NEA to submit a full proposal. Those whose EoIs do not meet the criteria will be informed accordingly.
(iv) NEA will provide support for proposal writing as needed, addressing the identified capacity development and training needs of shortlisted applicants. This may include an orientation meeting on various aspects of project development.
(v) Full project proposals, including a cover letter, project proposal, financial questionnaire (if applicable), co-financing letters, and beneficiary profile, must be submitted to NEA by the specified deadline.
(vi) NEA will review and assess the full project proposals based on various criteria and develop a ranked shortlist. Field visits may be conducted for shortlisted proposals to validate and refine the proposals.
(vii) The NSC will discuss and approve the shortlist, prioritizing women applicants. The decision will be recorded in the NSC meeting minutes.
(viii) Approved beneficiaries will sign grant agreements with NEA, outlining legal conditions and reporting requirements. The fund transfer will be initiated based on the grant agreement, with installments tied to project milestones and reporting obligations.