Call for projects to raise public awareness of MRV research results.

The specific agreement between the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGD) and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) aims to contribute through its CEBioS program to a better knowledge of biodiversity and a better implementation of international environmental conventions in developing countries.

In order to measure, report and verify (MRV) on the state of biodiversity, especially in the framework of the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the development of indicators is a key tool to monitor the implementation of NBSAPs. This goes hand in hand with the collection of data to establish them. Such indicators can also be used to measure the progress of policies and projects, to support policy-making, etc.

Two calls for the development of such indicators have been launched in 2019. Eight projects in French-speaking partner countries were selected and implemented, as well as 5 projects in English-speaking partner countries. During the closing workshops of these two calls (Bujumbura, 2022) the leaders of these projects discussed and presented ideas for awareness raising projects as a continuation of their MRV projects.

This call for projects aims to support MRV project partners who wish to carry out this type of outreach.

Eligibility

Only MRV project partners who have received financial support from CEBioS, following MRV calls in 2019, are eligible for this call.

When should the projects be completed?

Projects must begin in February 2023 and must be completed by the end of October 2023.

What activities are covered by the outreach project funding?

The activities can be very diverse, but always related to the theme of your MRV project. We propose a list of activities that is not exhaustive:

• Make and print posters and other awareness-raising materials;
• Organize a meeting with the local population in the area where you have been working on your MRV project, to explain your research and/or to promote a better understanding of the issues and best practices for safeguarding their environment and its biodiversity, as well as to inform them about the relevant legislation;
• Organize an information session with policy makers and other stakeholders in your research area;
• Participate in a radio or television program to explain your research. Your CHM focal point can help you make contacts;

Can not be taken into account: participation in scientific conferences, data collection in the field.

Promoters and partners of the project

Two contact persons must be designated, one of whom will be designated as responsible for the budget, coordination, implementation, and reporting aspects of the project (sponsor). Preferably, both institutions involved in the MRV project should be involved in the awareness project.

Available funds

The budgets allocated to the projects are of 2300 € maximum.

Financial support

A maximum budget of 2300 € will be granted per project. The number of projects supported will depend on the type, size and quality of the projects submitted.

Possible costs will include: communication (internet, units…), creation of awareness raising materials, costs related to the organization of meetings with local populations, policy makers or other stakeholders, possible costs related to local transportation, local accommodation, and if necessary small equipment (e.g. USB stick, hard drive… contact us if in doubt). Consultancy fees and salaries, or data collection costs will not be eligible under this call.

A project contract will be established between the RBINS and the promotor’s institute. Payment procedure: 80% of the budget allocated to the contractor will be paid at the beginning of the project, then the remaining 20% at the end of the project. The final payment will be made only after receipt of all original supporting documents and narrative and financial reports.

Indicative dates for proposal review and project implementation

Model for the submission of the project

First page (summary)

• Call: awareness related to MRV projects
• Project Title
• Country
• Project location
• Target audience(s)
• Key message(s)
• Duration of the project
• Promoting institution (full contact details)
• Contact person(s)/promoter and his/her contact information
• Amount requested

Mandatory structure of the document (total maximum 5 pages)

1. Overall objective
2. Specific objective(s)
3. Geographic location
4. Main theme
5. Expected results, indicators and activities
6. Required infrastructure and human resources
7. Sustainability and impacts of the project
8. Potential risks associated with the project
9. Sustainability of initiated activities
10. Strategy for valorization of results through the national CHM website
11. Indicative budget in Euros
12. In-kind and/or financial contribution of the local partner (human resources, infrastructure, equipment, etc.)
13. Duration and schedule of activities (in table form)
14. Project monitoring and evaluation, including objectively verifiable indicators (see annex for CEBioS indicators)
15. Optional (but encouraged): For those whose MRV project was the subject of the stakeholder analysis/problem tree at the Bujumbura workshop: situate your target audience, objectives, and context in these tools.

Reporting
An activity report and a financial report must be submitted at the end of the project (will be stipulated in the contract).

Projects, tools and their results should be posted on the national CHM in your country. A list of national CBD and CHM focal points is available here.

Where to submit your proposal or find additional information?

Hilde Keunen ou Anne-Julie Rochette
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
CEBioS Programme
Rue Vautier, 29
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium

Tel. Whatsapp: +32 495252267 (Hilde)  hkeunen@naturalsciences.be
Tel. : +32 474626639 (Anne-Julie) ajrochette@naturalsciences.be

Appendix 1: CEBioS indicators to be included in the project

For the monitoring of your project, among the indicators you propose, please include at least the following indicators, which are global indicators of the CEBioS program, common to all awareness projects:

• Number of staff of implementing authorities reached through awareness raising projects (number of persons, including number of men/women)
• Number of staff members of authorities, decision makers and policymakers reached through awareness raising activities (number of persons, including number of men/women)
• Number of synergies and complementarities (collaborations, joint activities) with another country or an international/national NGO to implement the project
• Number of people (ultimate beneficiaries) reached through the supported awareness projects (including number of men/women)
• Number of awareness raising meetings with different target groups
• Number of vulgarizing documents effectively published (videos; posters; flyers; or articles in popular media) by partners, with support of CEBioS