How should Letters of Inquiry be submitted?

Each project must support one of the first three strategic directions in the CEPF investment strategy for Indo-Burma to be eligible for funding. More...

 
How frequently are calls for LoIs issued?

Calls for LoIs are issued periodically, dependent on how many applications have been received, how much funding remains, and which geographic or thematic gaps remain in the CEPF investment strategy. Calls for LoIs are generally restricted either by geography and/or CEPF investment priority. Potential applicants are encouraged to send their contact information to cepf-rit@birdlife.org.vn for inclusion in a mailing list, so that they will be informed of such events.

How many Letters of Inquiry (LoIs) can one organisation submit?

One organisation can submit any number of LoIs, but it is recommended that similar activities across sites, or different activities at the same site, be grouped into single LoIs. In general, it is not recommended to submit repeat applications for funding for the same or similar activities in consecutive years.

 
What is the maximum funding amount for one application?

CEPF does not fund applications of larger than one million US dollars, but few LoIs are expected to even approach this amount given overall CEPF funding for Indochina of US $9.5 million.
 

Can individuals submit LoIs?

Individuals are encouraged to work with civil society organisations to develop applications, rather than to apply directly.
 

Are organisations operating outside Indochina eligible to apply for funds to carry out activities in Indochina?

Yes, as long as the project fits priorities in the CEPF ecosystem profile for this region and the organisation demonstrates an ability to implement effectively on the ground, whether directly or through local partners.

 
Can Letters of Inquiry be submitted in national languages?

LoIs for large grants (>US$ 20,000) cannot be submitted in national languages. The language for large grant submission and reporting is English (preferably) or the other official CEPF languages (French and Spanish).

LoIs for small grants (≤US $20,000) can be submitted in national languages (currently Khmer, Lao, Vietnamese and Thai. However, final reports must be submitted in English (preferably) or the other official CEPF languages (currently French and Spanish). The CEPF Regional Implementation Team may be able to help with submission of final reports in English.
  

How long does the application process take?

Submission of Letters of Inquiry (LoIs) is acknowledged within a few days. Review of LoIs is then anticipated to take three months, depending on the complexity of the proposed project, after which applicants will be given feedback from (for large grant applications) CEPF or (for small grant applications) the CEPF Regional Implementation Team (CEPF-RIT). During this time, the CEPF-RIT may contact applicants to clarify issues relating to submitted LoIs. If planned activities have an urgent timeline, applicants should notify the CEPF-RIT.

If LoIs submitted for large grants are successful, applicants will be asked to move to a full application stage, after which another round of review will take place. If LoIs submitted for small grants are successful, contracting will take place with the CEPF-RIT.
  

Can applicants use CEPF funds to reimburse costs incurred before the signing of contracts?

CEPF funds cannot be backdated or used to pay for costs incurred before the signing of contracts.

 
Are there any issues with proposing efforts to reduce hunting by local communities?

Two important World Bank Safeguard Policies apply. Any organisation planning to work in areas with indigenous peoples should explicitly include in their Letter of Inquiry (LoI) plans for free, prior and informed consultations that will demonstrate broad community support, and acknowledge that, without such support, the project cannot be funded by CEPF.

Further, any LoI that includes efforts to reduce natural resource exploitation by local communities should include project activities that assess current resource use and likely project impacts on that, and then implement livelihood activities such that standards of living are at a minimum restored, if not improved.
  

Who should applicants contact if they have further questions?
 

For programmatic questions:

• In Cambodia: Mr. Meas Rithy, Project Officer,  CEPF-RIT

(rithy@birdlifecambodia.org; mobile: (855) 12 444 497 or (855) 15 577 779; tel/fax : (855) 23 993 631)

• In Vietnam and Laos: Mr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Project Officer, CEPF-RIT

(long@birdlife.org.vn; tel: 84 43 514 8904 Ext. 27)

For finance-related questions:

Ms. Pham Bich Hai-Finance Officer, CEPF-RIT

(hai@birdlife.org.vn, tel: 84 43 514 8904 Ext. 26)