Violence against women and children is very broad. What specific areas does it include? 
As suggested by various experts during consultative meetings, violence against women and children under this program will mainly constitute Trafficking (for all purposes), Child Sexual Exploitation, Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence (including rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment). Widening this list further might spread this program too thin to demonstrate impact. 

 Can we send proposals for more than one grant? 
Yes. An organization can apply for more than one grant. Given that there are limited number of grants available, it is less likely that an organization will receive more than one grant. 

 Can the grant be used to purchase land and construct buildings? 

No, the grant amount cannot be used for these purposes. 

 What is the policy regarding purchase of vehicles and other equipments of high value? 
Purchase of vehicles through this grant will need special documentation and approval from the donor. The process is lengthy and time consuming. Given that these grants are small and for short durations, applicants are advised not to request vehicles and high value equipment, unless it is absolutely essential. 

 Will SARI/Equity help in setting up monitoring and evaluation systems for the grant? 
Yes, once the grant is awarded, SARI/Equity team will work with the grantees to set up these systems. 

 What is process documentation and is it absolutely essential to do this as part of the grant process? 
Process documentation is a systematic documentation of each step of grant implementation that includes successes, challenges faced, and lessons learned. It is essential because documentation of steps and intermediate results during grant implementation will create a learning base detailing the adaptations that are necessary for further replication and information on minimizing difficulties in the scaling up of a model. 

 Many organizations work in 2-3 different sectors. Is there a process for organizations to be a part of two different bids? 
Yes, this is possible; i.e. an organization which has applied for a discovery grant in one sector can also apply for another discovery grant for a separate project, if they so wish. 

 Does 'Care and Support' include shelters? 
Yes, there are a gamut of issues which fall under the term 'care and support' and these include shelters, transit homes, rehabilitation centres, service provisioning to the survivors, etc. But the grant will not be provided to purchase land or to construct the building for a shelter home. It can be provided to strengthen the functioning of the shelter homes. 

 In 'migration' do you consider internal or external migration? 
SARI/Equity program areas consider both internal migration (within a country) as well as external migration (from one country to another). 

 Will the total number of grants be divided equally among the four countries? 
SARI/Equity will try to have a regional balance in the distribution of the grants. However, the final allocation will depend to a large extent on the quality of the grant proposals/applications. 

 Is it acceptable to submit legal documents in regional languages (e.g. if a document is available with us only in Nepali language)? 
If documents are available only in the regional language then they can be submitted. The SAP regional offices will be translating them and forwarding to the SARI/Equity office. 

 We are not working on trafficking as yet but soon we will start counseling for youth/ domestic violence, can we apply for the grants? 
Yes, organizations which are working on issues related to violence against women and children can also apply for grants. These grants are not just for organizations working on trafficking. 

 Can two organizations give in a joint proposal? 
Yes, but the grant money can only be transferred to one organization (the secretariat). 

 Are there any criteria for membership of SARI/Equity? How can we become a SARI/Equity member? 
SARI/Equity is not a membership based organization. It is a regional initiative aimed at improving and strengthening networks and partnerships amongst NGOs and civil society organizations. For further information on SARI/Equity please visit our website. 

 What is the right contact address for getting more details of the SARI/Equity grants program? 
The contact details for the SARI/Equity Program are given on our website in the Submitting applications section at: sariq.org/grants/submit.asp. Our website also has a 'Feedback Form' for any comments or queries. 

 We are an NGO but working with district government agencies - are we eligible to apply? 
Yes 

 What is the duration of the SARI/Equity grants program? Are there any plans of the SARI/Equity program to extend beyond this time? 
The SARI/Equity Grants Program will run for the next two years. There is a possibility that AED might be able to apply for an extension of the program, however, at this juncture we are not aware of such possibilities. 

 Do the grants work as one-time grants or can we apply again? 
Yes organizations can apply for grants again but preference will be given to NGOs/groups that have not been supported before. 

 In SARI/Equity's experience what types of grants are requested more often? 
The SARI/Equity Grants Program has been launched very recently and the types of grants which are requested most will be clear only once the application submission process is completed. 

 What are your expectations of us - the NGOs, for the grants program? 
SARI/Equity is a regional program aimed at enhancing cross-border collaboration to encourage learning opportunities. We would hope that NGOs work with SARI/Equity in a collaborative manner in order to achieve the objectives of the program. 

 Is it possible for 2-3 organizations to get together and apply for a grant - if they are not actually part of a network? 
Yes, the organizations can apply for the grant, but, the grant money will only be transferred to one of the organizations. 

 Can a US NGO apply for any of the grants? 
No, this is not possible under the SARI/Equity Grants Program. 

 Will grants be awarded for work undertaken inter-country or intra-country? 
It could be for both. 

 Are the types of grants exclusive or do they overlap? 
Each type of grant is exclusive. 

 Can a proposal for one kind of grant combine two themes? 
Yes, it is possible to combine two themes in one proposal. 

 How much weight is given to service delivery, what percentage can be built into the proposal? 
SARI/Equity does not allocate any fixed percentages to the various components but a fair balance will be maintained.  


Finance and Budget

 Explain 15% cost-share. Does this percentage deal only with finances?

 If time is also included in the 15% cost-share requirements then do we use our own mechanism to calculate the amount, or does SARI/Equity have a set mechanism which we need to use?

 Can we calculate the 15% cost-share according to the salary of the various persons?

 Why do we need to share cost? For small organizations 15% can be too much.

 What are indirect costs?

 Can we receive funds from other sources?

 Is it necessary to have a government clearance to receive foreign funds?




Explain 15% cost-share. Does this percentage deal only with finances? 
Cost sharing represents the portion of a funded project that the grantee must contribute in order to share the costs of meeting the objective of the project. Cost-share does not only include finances but other aspects as well, e.g. volunteered time, space and other resources, etc. For a detailed explanation please see the Cost share page on our website. 

 If time is also included in the 15% cost-share requirements then do we use our own mechanism to calculate the amount, or does SARI/Equity have a set mechanism which we need to use? 
It will be measured in reasonable mechanism of the applicant organization, based on the present salary rate of the personnel of the NGO. 

 Can we calculate the 15% cost-share according to the salary of the various persons? 
Yes, providing they are working on the project. 

  Why do we need to share cost? For small organizations 15% can be too much.  Building cost share into programs creates increased ownership by the organization to the program. It also motivates organizations to devise innovative ways and means to sustain the program after funding stops. 

There is a whole range of ways in which cost share can be calculated. For example if the existing office of the organization is used for managing the grant, a portion of the rent (if not charged to the project) can be included in cost share. Same holds true for equipment (computers, photocopiers, fax machines, etc.). Organizations can be helped in exploring options for cost share. 

 What are indirect costs?  Indirect costs are those that have been incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot be readily identified with a particular program objective. Examples of indirect cost for many non-profit organizations may include depreciation or use allowances on buildings and equipment, the costs of operating and maintaining facilities, and general administration and general expenses, such as the salaries and expenses of executive officers, personnel administration, and accounting. More details about indirect cost can be found on www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a122/a122_2004.html.  

 Can we receive funds from other sources? 
Organizations are free to receive funds from as many sources as they can. Each organization will have to adhere to standard USAID restrictions regarding drug free environment, terrorist financing and legalization of prostitution. 

 Is it necessary to have a government clearance to receive foreign funds? 

The NGO must qualify as a legally established entity, eligible to receive foreign donor funding. At the time of application, an NGO could be awaiting government clearance to receive foreign funds, but it should definitely have received this clearance by the time the grant agreement is signed. 

Discovery Grants

  Do we need to have 15% cost share for discovery grants as well?

 What is the focus of discovery grants - a particular project/program of an organization or an organization with all its programs?

 Maximum of two trips are allowed in discovery grant between two organizations. Can two trips be made to study the same or a similar project in two other organizations?

 Can the study of networks be included as a discovery grant?

 Do discovery grants focus on SARI/Equity countries only or are other countries in this region also included?

 What are the per diem rates that organisations can use for a Discovery Grant?

 Do we need to have 15% cost share for discovery grants as well? 
Yes. Since the grant includes only travel and per diem, the cost share comes as professional time that an individual spends to complete the grant. It also includes organizational activities like helping to analyze the results of the investigation. 

  What is the focus of discovery grants - a particular project/program of an organization or an organization with all its programs? 
The focus of the discovery grant is a particular project. Organization systems and procedures are to be studied in relation to the execution of the selected project. 

 Maximum of two trips are allowed in discovery grant between two organizations. Can two trips be made to study the same or a similar project in two other organizations? 
No. If more than two organizations are involved, this can complicate the issue and may not produce best results. 

  Can the study of networks be included as a discovery grant? 
No. Since the discovery grant includes involvement of a specific organization to be the mentor, a network may not be the best option. 

 Do discovery grants focus on SARI/Equity countries only or are other countries in this region also included? 
Presently SARI/Equity focus is on Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. 

 What are the per diem rates that organisations can use for a Discovery Grant? 
If organizations have their own per diem rates then those rates can be used, provided they do not exceed SARI/Equity per diem rates. (For SARI/Equity rates please click the link -Per diem table) 

Network Grants

 Can a network be created using a network grant?

  Are all organizations within the network expected to submit separate reports (program and finance) or only one from the network secretariat?

 Can a network with a secretariat outside the region apply for a grant to be utilized among members within the four countries?

 For network grants is the consent of all members required?

 Does the network need to be registered?

 Can the NGO secretariat transfer money to members of the network?

  Network members can be from the region, or do they have to be from India only?