BEEKEEPING & DEVELOPMENT 46
Here at
Bees for Development we receive many requests for
assistance to locate funding. It seems timely to publish more advice on this
important topic.
WRIT
YOUR PROPOSAL
Whatever you want funding for, you must first of all write an application, usually called a proposal. Perhaps you need funding for a
beekeeping project: a library for your beekeepers’ association; equipment for your co-operative; or funding for yourself to attend a training course, or a beekeeping Congress. Whatever you want to do, you must first write it in a proposal. realistic plans can be your key to success.
The following guidelines provide a good starting point.
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Title Provide a clear statement of your aim. Be concise.
Other details For whom is the proposal intended?
Inputs required Detail all the resources you will need. For example: a list of books, number of persons, transport, access to workshop facilities,
telephone, computing requirements.
Budget
By whom is the proposal submitted? Include your name, and that of your organisation.
For each resource list the costs involved.
project extends over more than one year, provide an annual total in addition to the total project budget. If your
Date of application.
Summary If your proposal is several pages in length, summarise it here in a few sentences.
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introduction Give the background to your proposal and the current situation. For example, are you proposing the continuation of previous work, or will this work address a new problem?
Objectives
The objectives are the matters which must be achieved to arrive at the aim stated in your title. @
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Read the conditions under which the funding was provided. If the donor requires reports, or audited accounts, make sure you provide them in good time.
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are applying.
Outputs Here you will state all the important outcomes you expect from the activity. You can mention likely “spin-offs” in addition to your main objectives, and any documentation that will arise from the
project.
At the end of your application you can attach, as an annex: @
Brief additional information about your organisation and its activities.
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If you are
Do not present a number of objectives strung together in a long paragraph.
acknowledge this immediately.
Keep the donors informed of the progress of the project, and communicate regularly.
sentence, in
Be specific.
If you do receive funding,
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a single
a numbered list.
GOOD e@
State each objective in
Methods Accurately and carefully describe the methods you will use to achieve each objective. You must give clear details. For example, the statement “increase numbers of bee colonies” does not provide enough detail about how you will achieve this.
Work plan e@
Show a timetable of events for the project activities.
Your budget can be shown in local currency but provide a current (and dated) exchange rate to a widely-known currency, preferably that used by the organisation to whom you
applying as an individual, provide your CV.
Helpful Hints @
Number the various sections and pages of your proposal.
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Do not repeat the same statements in different sections of your proposal.
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Make sure that you have clearly separated objectives from methods. Do you know the difference? For example: A Bees for Development publication
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Be realistic about how long it will take to achieve the objectives - remember beekeeping is seasonal.
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A clear proposal, showing well thought out and
