1 – Introduction
The fifth call for projects for formative evaluation opens from 15th May to 15th July, 2023.
2 – What is the «4 per 1000» Initiative?
The “4 per 1000” Initiative – Soils for Food Security and Climate, part of the Lima-Paris Action Plan, now called the Global Climate Action Programme, comprises an international programme of scientific research and cooperation and an action plan to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) in order to enhance food security and mitigate and adapt to climate change
Its main objective is to assist contributing countries and non-governmental organisations to develop projects, actions and programmes, hereinafter referred to as “projects”, to promote and encourage actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by protecting and increasing SOC stocks at a rate of 4/1000 per year as an ambitious inspirational target.
3 – The objective of the call for projects
The objective of this evaluation is twofold
- Modality 1 concerns new projects seeking funds for implementation. In this case, the aim is to improve the project’s actions and increase the chances of approval by donors. The “4 per 1000” Initiative does not foresee any commitment to fund projects.
. - Modality 2 concerns ongoing projects seeking “recognition” in the framework of the evaluation by the Scientific and Technical Committee of the “4 per 1000”. In this case, the aim is to help projects, through expert advice, to achieve objectives in line with the “4 per 1000” Initiative and to set up methods to monitor progress during project implementation.
The procedure is applicable for the implementation of an agricultural practice, for the development or implementation of a project (e.g. soil restoration in a given region) or a policy proposal. Research projects can be assessed if they include an implementation aspect. This may include project coordinators (individuals or organisations) from different regions and conditions.
The guidelines for the call for proposals can be downloaded here.
A set of criteria, indicators, methods and units of measurement has been developed by the Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) of the “4 per 1000” Initiative and endorsed by the Consortium, to guide project proposals and to evaluate projects. The evaluation will be carried out by the STC of the Initiative, with the help of external reviewers if necessary, using the defined set of indicators.
Once the evaluation process has been completed, project coordinators will receive a report including the results of the evaluation and the recommendations of the STC A short description of the projects that are in line with the “4 per 1000” objectives will be presented on the Initiative’s website.
4 – How to submit a proposal
The deadline for submission of projects is 15 July 2023, 12:00 CET.
All projects should be sent to the Executive Secretariat.
The guidelines and all documents related to the Call are available on this page. The project must be submitted by the project leader.
The project leader must provide sufficient information about the project to allow for the evaluation, by filling and submitting the following documents:
- The application form ;
- The project memorandum ;
- The questionnaire to fill out ;
- … as well as any other document(s) that the project leader considers useful for the understanding of the project.
The evaluation team may ask for more information if necessary and, if necessary, will organise teleconferences with the project coordinators.
5 – Agenda and important dates
PHASE I
- Opening of the Call: 15th May 2023
- Closing of the Call: 15th July 2023
- Administrative review: 16th July – 31st August 2023
PHASE II
- Examination and evaluation of projects: 1st September – 15th October 2023
- Results submitted to project leaders: 20th December 2023
6 – Self-Assessment
Before the STC assesses a project, we recommend that you use carbon assessment tools such as:
- those of the Carbon Benefits Project: https://cbp.nrel.colostate.edu
- or the FAO’s ex-ante carbon assessment tool – EX-Act: https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/456265/
These are available free of charge after registration.
7 – Information, consultation et submission
The “4 per 1000” Executive Secretariat is the contact point between project coordinators and the “4 per 1000” Initiative for all general questions related to the Call.
Questions concerning the submission of projects and other general issues, as well as the finalised submission file, should be sent to the Executive Secretariat at: secretariat@4p1000.org