What will the CBFF fund?
The CBFF will identify and build up its project pipeline in a number of ways to achieve its strategic objectives and milestones.
The principle approach however will be through open, competitive bidding rounds. These will be open to eligible partners from the COMIFAC region, including governments, NGOs, civil society organisations, and other technical partners.
For operational reasons there are two proposed funding routes. Projects over US $100,000 will be managed directly by the AfDB, whilst projects below this threshold will be managed under an agreement between the AfDB and a fund management agent. Regardless of the size of project proposed, the CBFF is looking to approve projects which are innovative, of high quality; and will contribute to achieving the overall objectives of the Fund: to avoid deforestation and contribute to poverty alleviation in the Congo basin forests.
Open bidding is envisaged as an annual process run by the CBFF Secretariat in accordance with AfDB rules and procedures. In the early months of the Fund however, and to ensure a quick start to implementation, the UK Government, as the interim Secretariat of the CBFF invites proposals to reach the Secretariat by 1 August 2008.
These proposals should be in the form of a short concept note (maximum 4 sides) and should set out:
- Purpose and objectives and how they relate to national plans
- Estimated cost
- Details of principal partners
- Proposed approach to implementation and appraisal
- Key risks and how they will be managed
The Secretariat will be refining the guidance on this over the coming months and will hold a series of workshops around the Congo Basin for potential project proposers to assist them in the development of project concepts.
Concept notes should be submitted to:
In the early months of the CBFF, other initiatives may be identified through other means, for example from the reference group or through direct interaction with CBFF governing council and stakeholders.