The Three Diseases Fund recently published an evaluation of its first grant allocation process. Here is a summary. The full report is attached or you can email the moderator to get a copy (1 M byte PDF) by email.
[him] moderator
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In September 2007, a consultant was contracted by the Fund Manager to evaluate the grant allocation process in Round I. The objectives of the study were to (a) evaluate, collect feedback from stakeholders and document lessons learnt, (b) assess whether the process of the allocation of grants ensured transparency, fair and balanced access to 3DF resources, and(c) provide recommendations to the Fund Manager of any need to and how to redirect 3DF’s future priorities and activities for Round 2.
By April 2007, 26 implementing partners were awarded 38 contracts totaling US$21,076,114 to cover the first year of activities, though a few contracts were also issued during the October 2006 to April 2007 bridging period.
The research methodology incorporated quantitative research through semi-structured questionnaires, and qualitative research through in-depth interview guidelines and open-ended questionnaires. Target respondents were selected based on 3DF management arrangements and included participants from the donor consortium, Fund Board, Fund Manager office, current implementing partners (IPs) and officials from the National Programmes.
In addition, feedback was gathered from non-implementing partners (non IPs) who did not have successful submissions of the expression of interest, local NGOs and CBOs (non EOIs) who failed to submit expressions of interest, and private companies that had resources and skills for contributing to 3DF activities. In total, 118 participants completed the questionnaires and/or were interviewed.
Donors and Fund Board members interviewed stressed and agreed that there is room for improvement for the next forthcoming allocation process. In addition, all of them mentioned that reaching all the parties was the most important attribute of ensuring transparency in the allocations process.
In the feedback from IPs, non IPs and non EOIs, the main perceived constraints that emerged for greater LNGO and CBO participation were that these local organizations (a) lacked past experience, (b) faced registration difficulties, (c) had poor access to information, and (d) were in need of capacity building.
The overall consensus with the donors for developing 3DF was a need for an evaluation of the first year’s results and successful outcomes of the programmes being undertaken first. The importance of reaching other donors was also mentioned, as well as building 3DF support from the local government and in general, gaining positive support from all stakeholders.
The evaluation of Round 1 grant allocation process provided the following suggestions for the allocation of 3DF resources in Round 2:
- Prepare terms of reference for a Request for Funding that integrates the EOI, proposal, budget and detailed work plans into one document, with a minimum budget set at US$50,000 to encourage more local NGO and CBO participation. The Request for Funding template should be designed to reflect donors' ranking of cross-cutting principles.
- Invite and publicise Request for Funding by developing a mailing list, conducting workshops and training for interested parties, and implementing wider 3DF publicity plan. Review, inspect and evaluate Request for Funding by acting as a first filter of the proposals and consider sharing the Request for Funding with other capable funding agencies such as INGOs.
- Select and assemble the technical review team by opening the position to professional locals as well as expatriates who could apply through the internet or contact address in Yangon. The scoring system used to evaluate capable applicants should reflect the donors’ value criteria as well as the National Programme Coordination Body priorities. The composition of the final team would be finalised by the Fund Board.
- The Request for Funding recommendations of the technical review team would be considered and approved by the Fund Board. The Fund Manager reviews/negotiates the Request for
Funding, finalising geographical coverage priorities and budgets within a standardised procedure communicated to all implementing partners from the beginning. The Fund Board approves the Request for Funding and contracts are issued the implementing partners.
September 2007
http://www.3dfund.org/?q=evaluationRound1
