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***IREX Request for Proposals for Novgorod Partnership Projects
>From: "Jonathan Snydal" <jon@glas.apc.org>
>To: <tbsc@project.tomsk.su>, <elena@cdc.novsu.ac.ru>, <krjuce@cnfa.msk.ru>,
> <yakushev@fadr.msu.ru>, <kira@cip.nsk.su>, <ADMIN@ngsha.novsu.ac.ru>
>Subject: ***IREX Request for Proposals for Novgorod Partnership Projects
>Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 13:46:28 +0400
>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
>
>Dear Colleagues,
>
>[ * * * For Russian version, please see attached text file "RFPRUSNG.TXT"]
>[ * * * All inquiries should be sent to the address at end of text]
>
>______________________________________________________________
>The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) Announces a Grants
>Competition:
>"Partnerships for Civil Society & Economic Development " Project
> in Novgorod-the-Great
>______________________________________________________________
>
>Summary
>
>IREX is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Stage II of
>the "Partnerships for Civil Society & Economic Development (PCSED)" project
>in Novgorod-the-Great, supported through funds provided by the U.S. Agency
>for International Development (USAID). Stage I grants have been awarded, or
>are currently under review, for a select group of existing partnerships
>under the current IREX Institutional Partnerships Project. Stage II grants
>are open to additional IREX supported partnership institutions, as well as
>outside organizations which meet the criteria designated below. The aim of
>the PCSED project is to provide additional support for strengthening
>partnerships between US and Novgorod organizations
>
>Partnerships should be based on existing relationships with Novgorod
>institutions, or replicate successful models of US-Russian partnerships
>established elsewhere in the Russian Federation. Proposed partnerships in
>the latter category must identify an appropriate Novgorod partner and
>engage them in preparation of their proposal.
>
>Applicants may request up to a maximum of $150,000 per project for a period
>of not more than fourteen months as stated in IREX Cooperative Agreement
>with USAID (No. 118-A-00-97-00213). However, in order to appropriate
>funding to numerous projects, preference will be given to those proposals
>which request up to or below $60,000 in funding. It is expected that four
>to five projects will be funded.
>
>Successful applicants will be notified by September 30, 1997, and all
>projects must complete their activities by November 30, 1998.
>
>
>I. Goals for the Competition
>
>The goal of the IREX/PCSED project is to support partnerships which foster
>economic growth and promote development of the Novgorod region in areas
>that have been identified by USAID and the Novgorod regional administration
>as significant needs. The IREX/PCSED project is part of a $10 million US
>government-supported "Partnerships-for-Freedom Initiative in
>Novgorod-the-Great," whose main objective is to visibly demonstrate how
>U.S.-Russian cooperation can effectively accelerate economic transition at
>the local level in Russia.
>
>The U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Information Service
>and the U.S. Peace Corps have developed the Initiative in close cooperation
>with the Novgorod Oblast and City Administrations. The project is aimed at
>improving the investment climate and attracting capital, mobilizing finance
>for private sector trade and investment, increasing citizen involvement in
>public decision making, and fostering strong partnerships between Russian
>and American organizations. All proposals submitted for the IREX/PCSED
>project will be expected to meet one or more of these goals.
>
>Depending on area of interest, applicants should also address how they
>would best meet one or more of the following objectives:
>
>* train people in small business development, legal reform, land use, and
>community activism by focusing on the institutional development of Novgorod
>institutions;
>
>* promote business development, investment, and tourism by increasing the
>availability of information about ongoing cooperative efforts, local
>organizations, and the Novgorod Oblast itself through a variety of
>channels; and/or;
>
>* improve, through the partnership, the organizational skills of NGOs,
>civic groups, communities, and the general public in promoting their
>rights, conducting lobbying efforts, and playing an active role in
>government reform.
>
>
>II. Eligibility and Selection Criteria
>
>Any US or Russian non-profit or non-commercial organization which has a
>demonstrable, successful existing partnership with, and/or the support of,
>a Novgorod institution for project development in the areas specified above
>is encouraged to apply.
>
>Proposals may be submitted by either Novgorod, other Russian, or US
>organizations directly. The competitiveness of a non-Novgorodian Russian
>partner will be determined by the ability of that partner to provide a
>service that cannot otherwise be met by the Novgorodian or US partnership
>institution.
>
>Proposals must conform to one of the three following partnership
>structures:
>* Non-Novgorodian Russian proposals must include involvement with both a
>Novgorod and a US partner;
>* Novgorodian proposals must include US partnership involvement, and may
>also include an additional Russian partner;
>* US proposals must include Novgorod partnership involvement, and may also
>include an additional Russian partner.
>
>Criteria for selection
>
>* show visible results within 14 months or less;
>* enhance US/Russian partnerships and linkages;
>* provide a minimum of 25% in matching funds from non-US government
>sources;
>* complement other projects that are being funded under the PFF
>Initiative, but
>* NOT duplicate efforts that are already being funded, or have been
>previously developed, in Novgorod oblast; and
>* be jointly developed by all respective partners.
>
>Special preference will be given to proposals which:
>* are responsive to the needs of the US business community in Novgorod
>Region; and/or
>* promote community development in economic growth;
>* have successfully managed projects sponsored by US public or private
>funding agencies;
>* provide benefits on an oblast-wide level; and
>* request funds below $60,000 per project;
>* include "training of trainers" components or other activities that
>develop the ability of Novgorod institutions to maintain activities after
>funding ends.
>
>Organizations which are currently receiving US government funding under the
>Novgorod Partnerships for Freedom Initiative are not eligible for
>competition. Short descriptions of all ongoing or expected projects are
>outlined in section VII.
>
>
>III. Suggested Proposal Outline
>
>* Proposals must be submitted in both Russian and English;
>* Proposals should be no more than fifteen pages in length in each
>language, including financial information. Attachments should be no more
>than ten pages in each language;
>* Institutions or organizations that are unsure of whether their projects
>adhere to IREX criteria for participation are encouraged to submit an
>initial one-page letter of inquiry, in Russian or English, to IREX no later
>than August 11th. Letters of response will be immediately forthcoming.
>
>A. Information about partnership institutions should include:
>
>* The name of all expected partnership institutions, including specific
>department/division;
>* Name and title of contact person at each participating institution;
>* Legal status of institution and copy of charter;
>* Address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail contact for all partners;
>* Attached resumes for all project principals, proposed trainers and
>consultants;
>* Signed letters of agreement from all proposed partners, supporting
>project objectives and endorsing the full proposal and budget as submitted
>to IREX; and
>* A brief description (no more than one page total) of partnership
>institutions or organization to be involved in the project and their
>existing relationship with one another.
>* Bank account coordinates for transferring or wiring project funds;
>
>B. Project Description
>
>* Explain why the projected is needed in the Novgorod region;
>* Describe the overall goal of the project and key project objectives that
>will help reach that goal;
>* Describe how this project continues previous work done by the
>partnership, whether in another Russian city or in Novgorod Region itself.
>* Provide a workplan for implementation of the project. Proposed projects
>which expect to complete activities within four months or less should
>provide a weekly calendar; for over four months, a monthly calendar will
>suffice. This workplan must demonstrate how the partnership will achieve
>the objectives by the end of the grant period, and must include a detailed
>timeline; and
>* State expected results and benefits of proposed project, particularly
>benefits to the Novgorod region.
>
>C. Budget and Financial Management Structure
>
>Budget estimations should include:
>* Total amount requested from IREX, including a detailed breakdown of how
>funds will be used;
>* Detailed budget narrative of how budget estimates were established for
>each line item;
>* Name, qualifications, and detailed job description (including percentage
>breakdowns of time to be spend on each task) for each person to be employed
>as part of the project, whether as staff or consultant; and
>* An account of how matching funds will be provided. Identify the sources
>of the matching funds or in-kind contribution, and describe how in-kind
>contributions will be calculated.
>* Examples of matching funds include donated staff time, office rent and
>equipment, and donated funds from other non-US government funded
>institutions;
>
>IREX also recommends that:
>* No more than 35% of requested funds be used for salary and consultant
>fees, and
>* Allocations for rent be included for additional outside space needed for
>holding training, or establishing new office space. Rent for current space
>should generally be included as project match, unless applicant can show
>strong need for funding in this area.
>
>Each proposal should include information about financial management
>structure, including:
>* Proposed grant recipient (US, Novgorodian or other Russian institution).
>Funds may be managed by only one lead organization per each proposal; and
>* Detailed description of history and experience of lead partner in
>managing previous grants.
>
>
>IV. Where to Submit Proposals
>
>The deadline for proposals is 5 pm Eastern Standard Time, September 8,
>1997.
>
>All proposals must be submitted in hard copy, by fax, or by e-mail to the
>following address:
>
>IREX
>Institutional Partnerships Project
>Attn: Novgorod PCSED Grants Program
>1616 H. Street NW
>Washington DC, 20006
>tel (202) 628-8188
>fax (202) 628-9818
>
>or by e-mail to <mschmaud@irex.org>, either in the body of the e-mail
>message or as a Microsoft Word or Word Perfect document attached to the
>e-mail message.
>
>Illegible submissions may not be considered for funding, nor may e-mail
>attachments not in one of the two formats listed above. IREX therefore
>suggests that it is preferable to submit a hard copy.
>
>
>V. Review Process
>
>Proposals will be reviewed by IREX and USAID. Initial rejection notices or
>follow-up recommendations will be released in early September. The final
>funding announcements will be made public in late September. Partnerships
>selected for funding must begin program activities no later than September
>30, 1997.
>
>Issuance of this RFP does not constitute and award commitment on the part
>of IREX, nor does it commit IREX to pay for costs incurred in the
>preparation and submission of applications. IREX reserves the right to
>reject any or all applications received. Award of the grants contemplated
>by this RFP cannot be made until funds have been appropriated, allocated,
>and committed by USAID to IREX. While IREX anticipates that these
>procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby
>notified of these requirements and conditions for the award.
>
>Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. Should
>circumstances prevent award of a partnership grant, all preparation and
>submission costs are at the applicant's expense.
>
>Applicants should retain for their records one copy of any and all
>proposals, attachments, and other submissions to IREX.
>
>VII. History of IREX
>
>Founded in 1968, IREX designs and implements programs to foster interaction
>between specialists from Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Mongolia, and
>East Asia and their colleagues in the Unites States. These programs draw on
>the resources of American policy, academic, and corporate communities to
>provide emerging leaders with opportunities to develop their skills. IREX
>thereby increases the reservoir of critical skills these countries need.
>
>For the past two years IREX has successfully implemented and managed the
>USAID-funded Institutional Partnerships Project (IPP). This project has
>developed lasting ties between educational institutions, professional
>associations, and trade organizations in the Russian Federation and Ukraine
>with similar counterparts in the US, thereby increasing the training
>capacity and the member and professional services of the respective
>partners.
>
>In July 1997, IREX signed a cooperative agreement with USAID/Moscow to
>develop the Partnerships for Civil Society and Economic Development in
>Novgorod-the-Great. Information about IREX/PCSED initiatives currently
>under way in Novgorod, or expected to begin, is included in the project
>summaries in section VII.
>
>VII. Partnerships-for-Freedom Summaries
>
>A. Investment and Financial Management Training
>
>Investment and trade promotion is one of the tools municipalities and
>regions use to attract business and investment. Investment promotion
>training will be conducted to enhance the skills and strategies of Novgorod
>officials in developing and presenting the Novgorod region as an attractive
>and marketable location for foreign and Russian domestic investment. The
>training will strengthen the understanding of Novgorod officials in the
>techniques for investment promotion and the importance of various policies,
>laws, and regulations in attracting investors. Analytical and advisory
>services will be provided to the governmental and private institutions in
>the areas of policy and program analysis, and advisory services and
>training in investment promotion.
>
>The financial management training will develop the capacity of local
>trainers and training institutions, including consultants, business
>managers, and financial management professionals to use and teach financial
>management. The corps of local business consultants trained through this
>program will then be able to provide better support to other businesses.
>This training component will be conducted by Carana, a U.S. consultancy
>firm with extensive experience advising Russian firms, and will incorporate
> in the training the Business Toolkits materials developed from
>USAID-funded business restructuring programs.
>
>B. Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program
>
>The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) manages a worldwide
>loan portfolio guarantee program which is designed to mobilize credit for
>the small business community in USAID-assisted countries. Working with
>local banks through a risk sharing arrangement, USAID extends a partial
>guarantee to cover up to 50 percent of local banks' net loss on the
>principal amount of loans made to qualified borrowers. These loans can be
>used to finance a wide spectrum of productive and commercial activities.
>They typically fund working capital lines of credit, franchising costs, the
>purchase of equipment and other costs related to business start-up or
>expansion. The maximum loan size for small businesses is the equivalent of
> $150,000 in local currency and $5,000 for microenterprises.
>
>The Loan Portfolio Guarantee will work with one or two banks in the
>Novgorod region, establishing guarantee facilities for the banks to
>undertake up to $6 million of small business lending. The banks will also
>receive training and technical assisting in lending procedures.
>
>C. Enterprise Development and Microfinance
>
>Opportunity International will expand its successful women's' cooperative
>lending and small business leasing programs to Novgorod, establishing a
>local NGO to provide sustainable access to finance, business information,
>and manual support for entrepreneurs eager to expand their micro businesses
>and enhance their incomes.
>
>The NGO plans to make over 1200 loans and leases totaling over $2 million
>during its first three years of operation, targeting entrepreneurs in a
>variety of sectors, including crafts, tourism, transportation, and other
>services. Individual loans and leases will be available to small
>businesses. The NGO will also offer small loans through the "Trust Bank"
>model, where loans are made to groups of entrepreneurs which assume
>responsibility for repayment of each individual's share of the loan. The
>NGO's clients will also be offered training and consulting services.
>
>Opportunity International's experience with a Trust Bank in Nizhny Novgorod
>Oblast has helped spur small entrepreneurs in that region, increasing
>client incomes five times.
>
>D. Health Sector Reform in Novgorod Oblast Novgorod Initiative
>
>Like other regions in Russia, Novgorod Oblast suffers from the effects of
>chronic underfunding of health care and extreme decentralization of health
>care management leading to further inefficiencies. Boston University and
>Kaiser Permanente will work with federal and regional health officials to
>develop new health care management provider payment and structure building
>mechanisms. Specifically, the project will seek improved government
>commitment regarding health care and matching these commitments to
>available funds. The project will also seek to ensure the rational use of
>funds based on the use of modern resource utilization methods at all levels
>of care delivery. Finally, the project will seek to adjust the structure
>and capacity of Novgorod's health care system in accordance with the actual
>local needs.
>
>E. Land Sector Analyses for Novgorod City and Oblast
>
>The real estate market in Russia is currently undergoing reform and its
>importance for generating economic growth and improvement in the quality of
>life is well understood by the federal and regional governments. Novgorod
>has gone much further than other cities in implementing economic reforms,
>including in the real estate sector, and it has begun to see increased
>investment.
>
>USAID's Land & Real Estate Sector Reform Project has contributed
>significantly to the formation and development of the real estate market in
>Novgorod. From 1995 to 1997 work has been conducted in the acquisition of
>land by private enterprises and resale of surplus portions; land use
>planning zoning; real estate information and registering systems,; property
>taxation and local policy legislation.
>
>In the course of implementing real estate reforms it has become clear that
>one of the crucial issues for potential investors is existence of rational
>laws supporting the and regulating the real estate market. Under the
>current project the Urban Institute will conduct an analysis of the city
>and oblast legislation in this area will be conducted in order to identify
>areas for further work. Planning and Development Collaborative
>International (PADCO) will survey corporate executives who have considered
>investing in the Novgorod region to determine where impediments to
>investment remain. A study of the real estate market structure and
>activity will also be conducted.
>
>F. Community Involvement Grants and NGO Support Center Novgorod Regional
>Partnership Initiative
>
>The Novgorod administration is characterized by a high degree of openness
>in its public decision making process - a pure reflection of the region's
>democratic history. The officials on both the city and oblast levels
>actively promote and seek the participation of civic groups,
>non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and entrepreneurs in making
>legislative and administrative decisions on all levels. Nevertheless,
>Novgorod NGOs still lack many of the organizational skills and resources
>that would allow them to more effectively participate in and contribute to
>the public policy dialogue.
>
>The Eurasia Foundation has been awarded $500,000 to enhance and strengthen
>the capabilities of local NGOs and to award small grants to them. The
>community involvement program was initiated in June 1997 as an 18-month
>program.
>
>The four main objectives of the program are:
>To accelerate and support the development of the NGO sector by promoting
>the growth of non-governmental organizations and professional associations;
>by supporting projects which work to develop methods for even greater
>involvement of NGOs in local, city and oblast levels; and by striving to
>bring greater public attention to the work of NGOs by information
>distribution through coverage in the local media and joint projects in the
>area of social reform.
>To support the development of an NGO Resource Center to enhance the
>organizational and administrative skills of local organizations and provide
>them with the training and services they need such as consultations and
>training seminars in areas such as taxation, legal registration,
>accounting, grant proposal writing and other issues specific to the work of
>NGOs; advice on NGO development, formation, management, coalition-building
>and training on advocacy and public outreach.
>To provide assistance to small and micro-enterprises, especially
>women-owned businesses and enterprises who actively support the political
>and economic reform process and to aid the development of local business
>support institutions.
>To help bring about programs which enhance and strengthen cooperation
>between the NGO, commercial and governmental sectors.
>
>G. The Peace Corps and the Novgorod Initiative
>
>A Peace Corps volunteer will teach university-level English at Novgorod
>State University.
>
>H. Novgorod Regional Environmental Fund Novgorod Initiative
>
>Regional administrations have the authority to make investments to improve
>the environment in their regions through existing legal mechanisms. The
>Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) will work with the
>Novgorod Regional Environment Fund (NREF) to identify and analyze options
>for revising air and water charge rates and collection policies to generate
>more revenues for the NREF, reduce administration costs, and reduce
>compliance costs for enterprises while producing better environmental
>outcomes. With additional funds, the NREF will be able to invest in
>projects environmental improvement projects.
>
>HIID will also work to improve the NREF's ability to act as a central
>facilitator/intermediator of environmental investment projects.
>Environmental finance combines private sector investment criteria with an
>evaluation of the environmental benefits of the investment. Enterprises
>and regional environmental funds currently lack the expertise to develop,
>evaluate, and package investment projects so that national and
>international finance institutions can evaluate the financial and
>environmental return from the project. The project will provide technical
>assistance to NREF in project proposal identification, preparation, and
>evaluation, and will guide the NREF through one project cycle with project
>submission appropriate financial institutions as part of a co-financing
>package.
>
>I. USIS Programs
>
>The United States Information Service (USIS) has conducted a range of
>educational, cultural and informational exchanges with Russia for almost 40
>years. USIS has been asked to explore educational and informational
>programs in support of the Novgorod Initiative.
>
>Based on discussions with Novgorod officials, USIS is exploring the
>following kinds of programs:
>University partnerships between U.S. institutions of higher learning and
>Novgorod State University in public policy, business administration, and
>law;
>Civic education as well as economics and business education programs in the
>secondary school system;
>A museum partnership between a major U.S. museum and the Novgorod State
>Museum Complex to increase the capacity of Novgorod museums to promote
>tourism;
>Short-term internships in U.S. firms for 50 entrepreneurs from the Novgorod
>region;
>Information about the U.S. made available through the establishment of
>Internet services in public and university libraries for students, teachers
>and professors, and other specialists;
>Exchanges between Novgorod and its sister-city Rochester in areas that
>promote economic development, education, health and social services;
>
>J. IREX Partnerships for Civil Society and Economic Cooperation Project
>Novgorod Initiative
>
>In order to foster strong partnerships between Russian and American
>organizations, the Partnerships for Civil Society and Economic Cooperation
>Project will award $1 million in grants to support cooperation between U.S.
>and Novgorod Oblast organizations. The grants will be used to support the
>Novgorod Initiative's objectives of improving the investment climate and
>attracting capital, mobilizing finance for private sector trade and
>investment, and increasing citizen involvement in public decision making.
>
>The Partnerships for Civil Society and Economic Cooperation Project will
>build upon existing US-Russian partnerships and encourage new opportunities
>for cooperation. Partnerships are not only a means of achieving growth and
>mobilizing capital for the region, but for forming greater long-term
>cultural and economic ties between the U.S. and Russia. The expertise and
>experience brought by American partners will help to accelerate achievement
>of Novgorod's short-term objectives, while putting into place the resources
>and relationships that will ensure the sustainability of growth and open
>opportunity for U.S. business. Partnerships will be involved in a wide
>range of activities, including training people in small business
>development; real estate and land reform; business, tourism and investment
>promotion; and NGO development.
>
>The Partnerships for Civil Society and Economic Cooperation Project will be
>implemented by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), which
>has extensive experience in supporting U.S.-Russian partnerships, and will
>be funded through a grant by the U.S. Agency for International Development
>(USAID). IREX has divided the grant-making process into two stages. Stage I
>grants, for up to $150,000, have been given, or are currently under
>review, for the following selected US and Russian institutions which have a
>successful track record in developing successful US/Russian partnerships
>under the current IREX Institutional Partnerships Project. These 16-month
>partnerships, which are expected to begin activities no later than August
>1997, will either be building upon already existing relationships with
>Novgorod organizations, or replicating projects which have proven
>successful in other areas in Russia.
>
>Stage I Partnerships:
>
>1)Housing and Community Development
>The New York based Urban Homesteading and Assistance Board (UHAB) has
>proposed a partnership between its two Moscow partners, the Citizens
>foundation (CF), the All-National Fund for Decent and Affordable Housing
>(ANF), and selected Novgorod organizations to provide assistance and
>training in the fields of community development and housing reform.
>
>2)Development of a Geographical Information System (GIS)
>A partnership between the University of Massachusetts, Pskov Polytechnical
>Institute, and the Novgorod Oblast will develop and establish a natural
>resource Geographic Information System (GIS) with the goal of promoting
>environmental growth, environmental protection, and sustainable development
>in the region.
>
>3)Creation of an Accessible Environment and Economic Independence for the
>Disabled
>Perspektiva, the affiliate of the World Institute on Disability (WID) in
>Oakland, California, together with WID/Oakland and the Novgorod
>All-Russian Society for the Disabled propose to design and carry out a
>pilot project for a community-based public awareness campaign, initially in
>the city of Novgorod and gradually moving into the Oblast, in order to
>develop positive and productive attitudes and mechanisms for the creation
>of an accessible environment and economic independence for the disability
>community in Novgorod.
>
>4)Establishment of a Family Practice Medical Center and Training Facility
>The St. Petersburg Medical Academy for Postgraduate Study (MAPS), together
>with the University of Iowa, will be working closely with the Novgorod
>Regional Medical Association and the medical faculty of the Novgorod State
>University to open a family practice medical facility and training center
>for physicians in Novgorod.
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
>
>MOSCOW OFFICE:
>Phone: 7 + (095) 203-7366; 203-6438
>Fax: 7 + (095) 203-4311
>E-mail: irexpart@glasnet.ru
>Web: http://www.irex.ru
>
>WASHINGTON DC OFFICE:
>E-mail: mschmaud@irex.org
>Web: http://www.irex.org
>
>
>
>
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