FAQ - Call for Expression of Interest
Are there preferred or required formats/templates for the Letter(s) of Support from technical partners and public bodies?
There is no specific template required for letters of support. However, supporting elements of a Letter of Support are included in the Call under the Assessment Criteria. You are able to upload PDF or JPG files in the Application’s Zone. Please note that the size of the file(s) to be submitted shall not exceed 256 MB.
Is it mandatory to have a project partner from Hungary as part of the consortium, or can the project be led and implemented solely by entities based in the Turkic States (e.g., Turkey)?
It is only mandatory that the lead applicant shall be a legal entity of organizations domiciled in the Member States of the OTS and/or Hungary. In case of a project partnership, a partnership lead is to be dedicated. It is expected that any financier will conclude the contract with the Lead Applicant or with the Consortium in one document.
Can international organizations like FAO submit project proposals with the support letter from the respective governments, or do they need some national partners (like NGOs)?
Legal entities of organizations domiciled in the Member States of the OTS and/or Hungary are eligible to submit project concept notes. Additional legal entities domiciled in the Member States of the OTS and the European Union might join the Lead Applicant as partners. In this context, an FAO office registered in one of the OTS member states or Hungary can submit project proposals as a lead partner;
alternatively, FAO can join another eligible entity as a partner.
Is the implementation period of the projects maximized? In how many years?
There are no restrictions regarding the lengths of the period of the projects. The content and project deliverables can determine and justify any project length.
Should the content of the letter of support from government authorities for the project initiator be advisory or financial?
The letter of support from government authorities may be advisory (indicating policy alignment, endorsement, or strategic relevance) and/or financial (committing funds or resources)—but is most frequently advisory, confirming governmental interest or willingness to cooperate and support project implementation without explicit direct funding promises. However, if available, financial commitments or pledges significantly strengthen the application. Supporting elements of a Letter of Support are included in the Call under the Assessment
Criteria.
Does the feasibility study and development of the project concept’s potential refer only to research on droughts or other issues related to global climate change?
The feasibility study and project concept development may cover a broad range of topics, not only drought research but all interconnected issues of global climate change—for example, water resource management, land use planning, ecosystem restoration, adaptation strategies, and policy innovation directly or indirectly affecting drought risks.
They have also requested additional details about the budget structure, including a draft budget template if available, to better understand the financial framework of the project.
No budget template will be provided at this stage. Budget structure is up to the Applicant to decide (suggested main budget lines might be: operational costs, costs facilitating the technical realization of the project, overhead, etc.)
Do you need a consortium leader? Or will you contract with each partner individually? Is there any preferences for the lead partner (yearly budget, country, private or central entity, etc.)?
In case of a project partnership, a partnership lead is to be dedicated. It is expected that any financier will conclude the contract with the Lead Applicant or with the Consortium in one document. Project Concept Notes written in English will be accepted from legal entities of organizations domiciled in the Member States of the OTS and/or Hungary. Additional legal entities domiciled in the Member States of
the OTS and the European Union might join the Lead Applicant as partners. Proof of incorporation and financial statements for the previous fiscal year, as well as commitment letters to perform co-financing requirements, will be requested by DPI in case of a positive evaluation to conduct further due diligence.
Are in-kind contributions of resources allowed, and if so, what types of resources are accepted?
In-kind contributions are not taken into consideration when evaluating theproject concepts. The costs of all project items shall be calculated, and respective cost items should be solely and directly devoted to the project.
We are confused for the budget, we would like to learn budget details, can you share some details with budget and other forms?
No budget template will be provided at this stage. Budget structure is up to the Applicant to decide (suggested main budget lines might be: operational costs, costs facilitating the technical realization of the project, overhead, etc.)