Government approves National Grants Policy to improve approval process of applications for grants and funding for not for profit organizations through Social Program of Central Government.
September 17, 2018
The Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning now has a new tool to assist in improving the process for approval of grants and funding for not for profit organisations through the annual budget. This is through the National Grants Policy, recently approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Principal Secretary for Finance, Damien Thesee states that “The policy aims to promote fairness, integrity, transparency and impartiality in the allocation of government funding to not for profit organisations”. He further reiterated that the Government’s aim is not to fund a not for profit organisation in its entirety, but only to assist it to help attain their objectives.
Mr. Thesee said that the policy has been developed as part of the on-going budget reform programme, and that funding is not applicable to commercial organisations and that it should not be used to fund researches and studies. Funding will only be considered for not for profit organisations that are (i) officially registered and in good standing with the Registrar of Associations and (ii) towards project proposals, rather than funding administrative operations.
In line with this, the Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning has appointed an independent National Grants Committee mandated to appraise all funding applications. The Committee comprises of seven-members from key sectors. It is chaired by Mrs. Eline Moses and has Ms. May-Paule Marengo as vice-chair. The other members are Mrs. Helene Maiche, Mr. Kenny Roberts, Mrs. Betty-May Sofa, Ms. Chantal Ellen and Mr. Michel Pierre.
According to Mrs. Moses, “the National Grants Committee has developed a transparent procedure and clearly defined selection criteria for evaluating grant applications. One of the key responsibilities of the Committee is to ensure that the grant application and disbursement procedures are adhered to, and that there are proper monitoring of projects. ”
As part of the appraisal process, the organisation’s leadership, governance, operational and financial strength would be assessed. As such, all shortlisted applicants would be invited to an interview with the National Grants Committee.
Successful organizations will be required to sign a standard funding agreement with the Finance Department of the Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning. The agreement sets out the amount to be provided, the agreed objectives, the obligations of each party and payment terms.
Forms are already available at the Ministry Of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Liberty House. on the following link: