By Lavinia Mohr, Director of Programmes, WACC

WACC received almost 140 proposals for project support partnerships by the 15 February 2009 deadline. Together these proposals total more than 2.2 million Euros – an amount considerably larger than the funds available to WACC for project partnerships. The number of proposals received is seventy percent higher than the number received last year. The WACC General Secretariat was pleased with an increase in the number of project proposals from Asia and Africa.

One of the foundations of decision-making on the proposals is advice from WACC’s regional association leaders. WACC’s Project Review Policy and practice recognises that its regional association leadership can offer important observations and wisdom about proposed projects in their region. The Regional Executive Committee members in all regions from which proposals came are now working to provide their advice on the 140 proposals.

Some of the topics on which they will provide advice are:

(1) Does this project reflect a good understanding of the local context in which it will take place?

(2) Does this project build on or contribute to existing work?

(3) Does the applicant seem to be a credible and capable group well placed to carry out the project?

(4) Based on your understanding of the problem this project seeks to address and your knowledge of the region, do you have any observations about the viability of the project?

(5) Have we had good relations with this institution in the past?

(6) Is it appropriate to support this institution?

(7) Are the budget amounts appropriate?

(8) Is it appropriate to support all, some, or none of the elements, and why?

WACC Secretariat programme staff are also studying the proposals. They bring experience and wisdom in reviewing project proposals partnerships in light of evolving programme priorities and other organisational considerations such as the requirements of donor partners.

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