Evaluation Criteria
The HS/HDR grant applications will be evaluated based on their adherence and support for the broader principles of the UNTFHS, i.e., they should:
- address the range of interconnected issues that reflect the multi-sectoral demands of human security as advocated by the Commission on Human Security, including conflict and poverty, health and displacement, education, and environment and climate change, as relevant in each country (for more please see: http://www.humansecurity-chs.org);
- concentrate on those areas of human security that are currently neglected and avoid duplication with existing programmes and activities;
- increase locally-relevant operationalization of the HS framework;
- include analysis of the needs of people living in the country and their awareness of the threats they face.
- advocate for an increased understanding and broader, sustainable application of the HS framework at the national and/or regional level;
- encourage partnerships of civil society groups, NGOs, academia, and other local entities, as well as within the UN Country Team, in the HDR process and follow-up;
- promote multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration, paying particular attention to the special needs and vulnerabilities of women, and other marginalized groups; and
- propose concrete ideas that will encourage UN agencies to formulate other UNTFHS projects that address the multi-sectoral demands of human security.
In addition, the grant application must demonstrate how the HDR process will meet the six HDR corporate principles (National Ownership, Participatory Preparation, Independence, Quality of Analysis, Creativity in Presentation, and Sustained Follow-up – for more please see; http://hdr.undp.org/external/toolkit), and seek excellence and innovation in one or more of the following areas:
- quality of HS analysis and data use with a focus on gender and marginalization;
- sustained outreach and advocacy for HS policy impact designed to influence specific change in key HS development areas and among specific stakeholders; and
- locally-owned HDR prepared through inclusive, participatory, empowering process.
Applications should also include more detailed descriptions of country-specific HDR objectives, outputs, activities, and risks.
Country offices can apply for up to USD 55,000 in UNTFHS funds. Applications should identify as explicitly as possible how these funds are to be used. Not more than 20% of UNTFHS funds can be used to cover the costs of international consultants.
Applications should identify an equal or greater amount of co-financing. For example, if USD 55,000 in UNTFHS funds is requested, the total HS/HDR budget should be at least USD 110,000. These matching funds may include in-kind contributions.
Selection and Allocation Process
All applications will be evaluated by a Selection Panel comprising representatives of HDRO, the HSU-OCHA, the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery and Regional Bureaus.
Applications that meet all selection criteria and demonstrate the greatest potential for achieving Human Security impact will be awarded the grants. Countries selected will have the greatest geographical balance possible, although some regions may receive a proportionately higher number of grants. Given the relatively limited number of grants available and the competitive selection process, there is no guarantee that grants will be awarded to every region.
HDRO will report the results of the selection process to the HSU-OCHA.
The Selection Panel may decide to award an amount less than that proposed by each UNDP Country Office. Funds will be disbursed directly to selected UNDP Country Offices. Given the relatively small size of the grants, the grants will be disbursed in full after the selection process and submission of more detailed project work-plans and budgets. Country Offices are to submit a full project document with budget within 45 days of selection notification.
UNDP Country Offices and national partners will have approximately one and a half years to complete activities and report on the use of funds and results. Given the priority placed on such issues as national ownership, inclusive preparation, follow-up and policy impact, some HS NHDR processes may go beyond this ideal one and a half year period.
Each HS/NHDR to be funded by this project will of course develop its own implementation, advocacy and partnership strategy. In general every national HDR follows the following four stages of production and follow-up, which include strategic plans for partnership and advocacy.
- Preparatory Stage: 6 months Theme Selection, Resource Mobilization, Building the Team, Training and Orientation, Communications Strategy
- Research and Writing: 6-9 months Data, Research, Analysis, Training, First Draft, Review, Consultations, Final Draft
- Production: 2-3 months Editing, Design, Translation, Printing
- Launch and Follow-up: continuous Media, Communications, Outreach, Marketing, Dissemination, Monitoring Impact
A more detailed description of each of these HS/HDR stages can be found in standard Timeline for preparation of National Human Development Reports at: http://hdr.undp.org/external/timeline/index.htm.
External factors/risk analysis
The ability of HDRs to influence HS policy can be made challenging by the inherent tension between national ownership, and objectiveness and independence of analysis which make up key principles of the HDRs. Another challenge is to ensure impact after report launching.
There are several ways in which the project will help address these challenges. The selection process used will ensure that national ownership exists to the greatest degree possible already at the first stage of HS theme selection. Training materials will be provided to all country teams explaining the key principles and tools for successful HDR implementation. Independent peer reviews for data and analysis will be used for all reports. Advocacy and other post-launch follow-up strategies will be funded, with qualified staff identified for their implementation at the beginning of the report process. Throughout HDR research, writing, consultation and outreach and launch processes, HDRO will offer technical assistance to HDR teams in cooperation with the HSU/OCHA and other UNDP partners. HDRO will provide in-kind consultation, and training to HDR teams, and facilitate contact with other partners through UNDP’s knowledge networks.
Administration and financial management
HDRO will manage the overall Human Security Grant Programme for selected national HDRs.
After completion of the selection process and information sharing with the HSU, HDRO will disburse the grants (up to 55,000 USD) directly to individual UNDP Country Offices. Given the relatively small size of the grants, the grants will be disbursed in full after the selection process and submission of more detailed project work-plans and budgets. HDRO will monitor the use of funds for all HS/HDR teams funded and report on the use of these funds to HSU-OCHA. The grants will be managed by Country Offices with HDRO supervision in accordance with UNDP regulations, as well as any and all UNTFHS financial requirements.
Links: Background | Selection Process | Sample interventions | Sample Budget | Work Plan | External links
