We invite interested organisations to send in their project proposals to become implementers for our 2022-2023 Bilateral Programme, as per our expected areas of work.

Deadline: Wednesday 18 May 2022 11:59 PM.

What is the Bilateral Programme?

The Bilateral Programme is the main channel through which the British Embassy finances projects in Venezuela. These should contribute towards achieving results within strategic objectives and expected outcomes identified by the Embassy, which benefit Venezuela.

Through this programme, the Embassy has supported various projects on areas such as human rights and democracy, economic reform, sustainable development and energy.

What are the Embassy´s expected areas of work for FY 2022-2023?

This year, we are looking for projects that focus on the various themes listed below. Some indicative outcomes that projects could look to achieve within each theme are also listed below. These are not exhaustive and are meant to serve as a guide. You may still bid for funding for a project as long as it falls under the broad theme, even if the expected outcomes are different. The themes listed below are in no particular order.

Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders

• improved capacity of civil society organisations to carry out independent and impartial evidence collection on human rights violations, in line with international standards

Promoting Democracy

• stronger capacity to support the medium-long term strengthening of Venezuela’s democratic institutions
• improved local level municipality/council cross-party collaboration and effectiveness
• increased civil society capacity to champion constitutional elections, good governance, transparency and/or rule of law

Climate and Biodiversity

• increased capacity for climate mitigation or adaptation, including through but not limited to clean energy and nature-based solutions
• improved management of ecosystems, with a focus on actions to tackle deforestation and support sustainable land use
• enhanced monitoring of environmental pressures and threats, as well as climate risks

Promoting Economic Stability

• improved data collection capacity and access to key macro-economic and socio-economic information
• strengthened independent efforts to support improvements in the business environment, including through policy proposals

Promoting Gender Equality and Female Empowerment

• enhanced awareness of sexual health, reproductive rights and gender-based violence, especially for teenagers
• increased access to education and improved prospects for women in the labour market

LGBT+ rights

• formation of a broad, politically diverse LGBT+ rights coalition to advocate non-discriminatory measures at local/national levels and reach progressive milestones

Key points to consider before submitting your bids

1. Activities should be carried out before 31 March 2022. Please plan to start activities by August 2022.

2. Payments are made in arrears (reimbursements). This means that the Embassy is not allowed to pay up-front for project activities which have not taken place.

3. Overhead/administration costs should not exceed 10% of the overall project budget.

4. At least 85% of the funds must be implemented by December 2022.

5. Make sure the proposed project purpose (in the format) is well defined and specific, and fits within at least one of the listed cooperation themes

6. Co-financing from other institutions is welcomed. Please include this as part of your bid if appropriate.

7. Each organisation may only present one (1) proposal per area of work.

8. Purchase of capital goods, including infrastructure, properties, furniture and/or IT equipment, is not authorised.

9. All projects must align with the Paris Agreement and consider climate and environmental risks, as well as their impact on gender equality.

These points are subject to change at the discretion of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Gender equality

The British Government is committed to achieving gender equality at home and worldwide, which is why we pushed for a standalone Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on gender.

As such, we expect that all projects funded by the Embassy are gender mainstreamed by:

• paying careful consideration to the level of female participation in the delivery of project activities, which applies both for implementers and beneficiaries;

• understanding and responding to the different needs of women and girls taking part/benefitted by the project, which should be considered at the project design stage, during its implementation, and as part of the evaluation of the project impact;

• and considering and preparing for the differentiated impact the activities may have on women and girls taking part in the project.

Who may send in their project proposal?

• state institutions – at all levels

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs), legally registered

• universities

• think tanks

• private sector and commerce and industry chambers

Before applying, please be sure you are able to submit the following legal documentation, when required by the Embassy (do not forward these documents when applying):

• digital copy of the Trade Register/Articles of Incorporation (Registro Mercantil o Acta Constitutiva)

• copy of the Fiscal Registration identification number (Registro de Identificación Fiscal -RIF)

• letter-headed document specifying bank account details

• a copy of the Identity Card (Cédula) of the legal representative of the organisation

What is the indicative process timeline?

• 18 May 2022 – Deadline for potential project implementers to send in their project proposal.

• 6 June 2022 – Embassy notifies shortlisted potential project implementers of their semi-finalist status, and asks them to develop a revised project proposal, accompanied by it activity based budget (ABB), aimed at contributing to one of the specified areas of work.

• 19 June 2022 – Deadline for implementers to submit full project proposal and ABB.

• 8 July 2022 – Embassy project board meets to agree and approve successful projects. Successful and unsuccessful bidders notified the following working day.

• 1 August – Grant agreements/contracts/MOUs signed with approved project implementers and project implementations starts

These dates are subject to change.

How does the selection process work?

If you think your organisation can support the Embassy in the delivery of our cooperation objectives, please complete the format attached in English and forward it to projects.caracas@fcdo.gov.uk by the indicated deadline, including the name of your organisation in the subject line (e.g. Asociación Venezolana de Investigaciones Sociales).

The form is designed to determine why your organisation is best suited to deliver a project aimed at achieving one of our cooperation outcomes, what type of activities you envisage as part of a project funded by the Embassy, how much it would cost and with whom you would partner up to deliver project activities. Please note we will not considered proposals presented in a different format.

After receiving your project proposal, the Embassy will produce a shortlist according to agreed criteria such as whether the project is sustainable in the long-term, has a multiplying effect, represents value-for-money and is gender mainstreamed.

These criteria are reflected in an appraisal matrix the Embassy uses to mark potential project implementers. Those with higher marks will be shortlisted and required to develop a full project bid. Please note the Embassy may consider asking organisations to join up as partners and work on a full project bid together.

The Embassy project board will then meet to assess project bids.

What comprises the monitoring process for projects?

Once approved, and in accordance with the grant agreement/contract/MoU, the implementing organisation must submit quarterly reports, and a final evaluation report.

Please note that Embassy staff will keep in touch with your organisation throughout the project implementation and may call for monitoring meetings or participate in project activities.

A few examples of projects financed by the Embassy:

• creation of a network of organisations aimed at tackling violence against women and girls in Venezuela

• diploma course on a culture of peace and human rights for civil servants in Merida municipalities

• raising awareness on LGBTI rights with police officers

• training on PRECIS Climate Modelling System for government officials

• enabling reduction of subsidies of Liquefied Petroleum Gas

• supporting participatory biodiversity assessment in a local natural area

• implementation of an on-line participatory budget and procurement system in eight Venezuelan mayoralties.

This would be the first time a medicine for the treatment of overactive bladder would be available without prescription.

Pharmacists, GPs and other health care professionals, the public and women are encouraged to take part in the reclassification consultation.

Aquiette 2.5mg Tablets contains oxybutynin hydrochloride and are being considered for reclassification. These tablets are used to treat women with milder symptoms of overactive bladder that are not controlled by bladder training alone. Symptoms of this include having to urinate at least 8 times in the day, more than once during the night, sometimes leading to accidental leaks.

If positive responses are received and the decision is made to reclassify this treatment, then pharmacists will have access to training materials and a checklist to enable them to identify women who can be supplied this medicine safely.

Dr Laura Squire, Chief Healthcare Quality and Access Officer at the MHRA, said:

“We encourage women and healthcare professionals who have experience of using this vital treatment to engage with the consultation and make your views heard. Every response we receive will help us gain a better picture of whether people think this reclassification would be beneficial.

“Living with an overactive bladder can be extremely difficult, which is why it’s so important that we hear from as many people and women’s groups as possible.

“We are thoroughly committed to improving access to medicines where it is safe to do so”

Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:

“When it comes to sensitive issues such as bladder control, speaking to a GP may act as a barrier for some women to seek help. Reclassification of Aquiette would enable women to access vital medication without needing a prescription.

“Making it easier for women to access healthcare is essential in supporting them to live well and reducing the gender health gap.

“I encourage any women who have experienced these symptoms to make your voices heard by responding to the call for evidence.”

The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has been consulted and advised that it is safe for these is products to be made available as a Pharmacy (P) medicine.

Find further details about the consultation, including how to take part here.

Notes to Editor

1. Consultation page
2. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
3. MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
4. The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products.