1. INTRODUCTORY SECTIONS
PROPOSAL WRITING
INTRODUCTORY SECTIONS
FSAC Proposal & Report Writing Workshop – 8 Dec 2015

2. OVERVIEW General Proposal Writing Tips Project Summary
Context Analysis
Needs Assessment
Problem Statement
Project Rationale / Justification

3. GENERAL PROPOSAL WRITING TIPS 1
Know your audience
Tailor each proposal to each event
Emergency VS. development proposals
Always follow donor guidelines and templates
Coordinate with Clusters to avoid duplication, demonstrate your meeting a critical gap, increase your success rate
Start with problem/objective trees, then Logical Framework (solid foundation)
Adhere to HRP and Cluster strategies, assessment data and standards

4. GENERAL PROPOSAL WRITING TIPS 2
Be short and succinct, ensure each sentence counts
Solid needs assessment and rationale for your project – why should they give their money to you?
Ask “So what?” – will the reader need to know why or need more information?
Cross check information and ensure consistence across sections (e.g. figures, locations, activities -> budget, needs assessment -> location selection)
Be realistic; don’t over-ask to avoid multiple revisions or rejection (e.g. staffing)
Annex additional information as needed

5. GENERAL PROPOSAL WRITING TIPS 3
Demonstrate understanding of all steps in Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC)
Different donors use variations of programme cycles and logical framework models

6. PROJECT SUMMARY
General Guidance: Briefly outline the proposed response, main objectives of the proposed response, selected targeted beneficiaries, project activities and expected results, including baseline data and gender equality considerations in the response.
Short and concise, detailed sections follow in the proposal body
This section “sells” your proposal
Include highlights so donor can understand proposal concept, alignment with their priorities, and map against other proposals submitted.

7. CONTEXT ANALYSIS
General Guidance: Describe current humanitarian situation in specific locations where this project will be implemented (CHF)
Rationale for the proposed project focusing on results of any preliminary assessments and priority needs
Rationale for the proposed beneficiaries (male, female) and why they are being targeted
Description of the NGO’s operational capacity on the ground
How the project fits within the larger humanitarian response (complementarity)
Food Security specific:
Refer to annual SFSA and IPC for benchmark
Review HRP and Cluster strategy for broader context

8. NEEDS ASSESSMENT
General Guidance: Explain the specific needs of the targeted groups(s), including reference to different needs of women, girls, boys and men, and highlight existing and emerging GBV trends (e.g. trafficking, sexual violence, domestic violence, barrier to adequate participation by sex and age, and underlying factors). Outline existing capacity and gaps. State how the needs assessment was conducted, list any baseline data and explain how the number of beneficiaries has been developed. Indicate references to assessments such as multi-sector/rapid assessments. (CHF)
Strong need for updated, accurate needs assessment data
Food Security specific:
Refer to annual SFSA and IPC as benchmark
Ensure acute needs, not chronic/ development programming (refer to Cluster’s thresholds/standards)

9. PROBLEM STATEMENT General Guidance:
Important to clearly articulate the problem and your objective to address the problem
Potential methods (samples on next slides):
Problem/causal tree: tool for a systematic analysis of the cause and effect relationships of problems in relation to the identified core problem
Objective tree: tool to help you determine which level of the problem you will address (resources, time, scope)
Problem statement: prioritization and analysis
Food Security specific:
Refer to HRP, Cluster Strategy, SFSA, IPC, etc. to inform problem and objective trees

10. Problem/Causal Tree
CONSEQUENCES
CAUSES

11. Sample Problem Tree 1

12. Sample Problem Tree 2

13. Sample Objectives Tree

14. PROJECT RATIONALE / JUSTIFICATION
General Guidance: Justify why your organization is best placed to delivery this project. Explain the value-added by your organization (e.g. geographical presence, specific expertise, etc).
Based on specific needs assessments, specify why this project is required within the humanitarian context; the affected populations; local vulnerabilities and capacities; as well as why the applying NGO is best placed to address the identified needs (CHF)
Food Security specific:
What is the food security consequence if this project is not implemented?

15. Thank you