The 3rd Proposal Writing Workshop

Date and time: July 24^th (Wed), 2024, 13:00-14:30

Participants: 6 persons (Shoma from DASCOH, Bangladesh、Inday from ANAK-NC, Philippines

Raheem from BDS, Sri Lanka、Laksiri and Thadsa from NAFSO, Sri Lanka、Adel from YVO, Afghanisan)

Today’s goal:

1. To identify the challenging aspects that participants encounter when writing project proposal

2.To identify To confirm the basic steps for writing a project proposal

* The original plan was to focus on the “Problem Analysis” step. However, due to the current unstable social situation in Bangladesh, members who participated in previous sessions from Bangladesh are experiencing internet problems. Additionally, there are new members who did not attend the previous two sessions. Therefore, it was decided to cover the same content as in the previous two sessions rather than introducing new material.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Challenges in Writing Project Proposals ========================================

Raheem:

1. Creating an appropriate Logical Framework (Log-Frame)
2. Identifying appropriate indicators to measure outcomes

Laksiri:

Developing a concept note in the preliminary phase of writing a project proposal (He wants to know the guidelines for writing a concept note. Raheem advised analyzing the outlines provided by donor agencies.)

Adel:

1. Government institutions do not grant NGOs permission to conduct needs assessments at the community level.
2. Fulfilling donor requirements, such as the participation of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities and women, is extremely difficult in the current sensitive situation in Afghanistan.

• Developing an appropriate Log-Frame

1. Creating a project plan with sustainability potential

Thadsa:

1. Ensuring that all team members and focal groups are aligned during the collective proposal writing process
2. Properly identifying potential risks within the short time frame for proposal writing

Inday: Prioritizing beneficiaries to adjust the project scale to the limited budget

Shoma:

1. Expressing important points within the word limits of the pre-designed format
2. Developing an appropriate Project Results Matrix (PRM), especially setting suitable indicators for outcomes and outputs

• Using scientific language or technical writing

2. Characteristics of Lg-Frame and PRM ==========================================

Yayoi from AHI explained that differences between Log-Frame and PRM with the table below, and emphasized that learning the basic steps of developing Log-Frame is essential.

3. The basic steps for writing a project proposal =====================================

Yayoi introduced the basic steps for writing a project proposal according to a textbook [PCM Tokyo Group, “PCM Project Cycle Management Methos Handbook”, June 2016].

First, Yayoi explained that there are two stages: Analysis stage and Planning stage before starting to fill out the project proposal format. She emphasized that involving stakeholders in the analysis stage is essential, as it ensures diverse perspectives are considered, leading to more comprehensive and effective project planning.

Second, Yayoi described four types of analysis that need to be conducted during the analysis stage: Stakeholder analysis, Problem analysis, Objective analysis, and Alternative analysis. The participants agreed to learn how to conduct each analysis one by one.

4. Stakeholder Analysis ========================================================

Purpose of Stakeholder Analaysis: To provide a comprehensive picture of all interest groups, individuals, institutions, and organizations involved in the project.

How to Do It:

1. Write down all individuals, groups, institutions, and organizations involved in and affected by the project on sticky notes.
2. Categorize them into seven groups: Beneficiaries, Implementing Agencies, Decision Makers, Supporting Groups, Funding Agencies, Negatively Affected Groups, and Potential Opponents.

• Select important stakeholders and analyze the characteristics of each one. Conduct a detailed analysis on at least the beneficiaries. For other stakeholders, it depends on the capacity and time constraints of the analysis workshop.

Yayoi mentioned that after analyzing the beneficiaries in detail, the target group can be selected, and the main problem can be identified based on the analysis of the issues the target group is facing.