The Bilateral Programme fund was established by combining the Small Grants Scheme and Directorate Programme budgets. The programme supports the following strategic priorities:

• sustainable development
• poverty reduction underpinned by human rights democracy and
• good governance

The Fund supports short one-year projects typically costing under £5000. One of the main criteria for funding is sustainability and bids for salaries or rent alone will not therefore be considered.   Competition for Bilateral Funds is very high. Project promoters therefore need to demonstrate that projects submitted for funding can make a significant contribution and that the outputs and outcomes will be sustainable. Projects should be well-structured, realistic and represent good value for money.

Recipients of Bilateral funds are required to submit reports on the monthly financial and physical progress of the project at quarterly intervals. On completion of the project recipients will be asked to provide a completion and full financial report, with evidence of expenditure. Short duration projects - for example a one-off seminar also require a report on completion; which should include the date of the project's initiation and completion, an assessment of it's developmental impact on the community, a statement of the project's beneficiaries, an assessment of success and failure of its implementation, and reasons for any delays in completion. The funding year is from 01 April to 31 March and all project proposals must be submitted on the bidding form mentioned below:

• Bilateral funds bidding form
• Guidance notes for completing project bidding form

Recipients:

Proposals may be submitted by a variety of organisations, including civil society organisations, Non Governmental Organisations and other groups in conjunction with the private and public sectors

Contacts:

If you think that your project fits the criteria detailed above you should complete the required application form and forward it to:

The Deputy British High Commissioner
British High Commission
48 Atlantic Road
Fajara
PO Box 507
Banjul