EFFECTIVE RESOURCE MOBILISATION

EFFECTIVE RESOURCE MOBILISATION MSc Programme on Integrated Drylands Management 2010 – 2011 CAREERI, Lanzhou, China 4-6 October 2010

Overview of presentation • Resource mobilisation • The ABCDE of mobilising resources • How to write successful proposals

Mobilising resources…from whom? • Bilateral donors • Multilateral donors • Private sources (core business, corporate social responsibility projects, commercial loans, etc) • International NGOs • International philanthropic organizations

The ABCDE of mobilising resources A Putting your ‘house’ in order B Researching potential donors C Making contact D Managing the relationship E Proposal writing

A: Putting your house in order • A strategic plan with - a clear focus - inspiring goals and strategies - clear outcomes • A case statement - People in the organization who can make a clear and compelling case for SLM/UNCCD (in three minutes if you have to..!)

B: Researching potentialdonors • Learn about them: websites, internet searches, newspapers, annual reports • Analyse donor policies and priorities, incl. donor thematic areas that could be linked to SLM (water, food security, climate change, etc.) • Learn about the-person-behind-the donor

C: Making contact The donor’s (unspoken) questions: 􀂃Who is contacting me? 􀂃 How much do they want? 􀂃 Why do they want it? 􀂃 What will they do with the money? 􀂃 How does this fit with our own priorities? 􀂃 Do they have the capacity and track record? 􀂃 Which donor colleagues in my network knows them?

D: Managing the relationship • Thank the donor within days after meeting (or receiving a grant) • Create and update donor profiles, donor requirements • Keep donor informed and involved • Tie their interest to a recent success, to events and type of information (tailor made versus tailor-standard); send invitations • Acknowledge funders in your publications

E. Writing a funding proposal • Not a formula; be creative and remain flexible • Your proposal needs to be well packed, persuasive and technically detailed and correct • Open proposal vs. call for proposal • Call for proposal: • Follow the form, the guideline, the checklist and the funder’s assessment grid, if possible in dialog with funder • Make the linkages (e.g. link SLM to a call for proposal on climate change adaptation or water)

Open proposal

1. Title page • Title of proposal • Date • Location of programme • Name of agency the proposal is submitted • Name and address of your organisation • Name of contact person

2. Summary page • Problem what is the problem you will address? • Solution short project description, incl. who will benefit, where will it operate, time line, who will operate the project • Funding requirements • Organisation and its expertise  brief history of history, purpose and activities of your institution, and capacity to carry out the proposal

3. Statement of needs • Present facts and evidence that support the need for the project • Present evidence that your institution understands the problems and therefore can reasonably address them.

4. Project description • Objectives  measurable, specific outcomes of the project • Methods  How, when, why • Staffing/administration # of staff, qualifications and assignments • Evaluation plan  quantitative or qualitative • Sustainability  Long term financial viability

5. Budget and log-frame • Budget: • Action plan:

6. Organisation information • Mission • How the proposal fit the mission • Organisational structure • Programmes • Leadership and expertise

7. Conclusion • Final appeal for the programme • Planned follow up activities • prepare funder for next request or • state how project will carry on without further grant support

EFFECTIVE RESOURCE MOBILISATION