Funding Criteria

​The Paung Sie Facility strives to contribute to a socially cohesive society, one that works toward the well-being of all, creates a sense of belonging, promotes trust, and offers everyone the opportunity to prosper and advance peacefully.

To be considered for PSF funding, projects must address the below criteria and considerations. 

Main Criteria

Reflect the PSF’s Theory of Change: Applicants must explain how their project contributes to the PSF’s goal of building an environment that is conducive to dialogue, tolerance and safer communities. This may include mitigating conflict in local communities, supporting leaders to counter hate or violence, or supporting improvements to government policy, donor programming or business investment.

Have its own Theory of Change (ToC) and clear Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) approach: Applicants must be able to present a clear ToC, including problem analysis (“why this project and why now?”), an action plan and assumptions. Projects should identify an adaptable MEL approach. PSF can provide support for grantees to employ MEL project staff and capacity development as needed.

Be need-based: Applicants must describe why the proposed project is needed. Who does it serve? How will it make a difference? Ideally, the project has been developed in collaboration with key actors, including diverse community groups. 

Promote Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI): Applicants should explain how the project addresses gender equality and social inclusion (including disabled and youth) in its design, implementation and MEL. 

Align with relevant programs: Applicants must demonstrate an awareness and understanding of other relevant programs and activities that work in the same geographical area or tackles similar themes. If possible, applicants should explain how the programs will work together to avoid overlap.

Additional Criteria

Demonstrate strong past performance: Applicants must provide evidence of capability in programming and ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Be conflict sensitive: Applicants must fully understand and commit to actively applying conflict sensitivity practices.

Be attentive to the 2020 election: Applicants must describe how their project will mitigate risk, or represent opportunity, for the 2020 election.

Be risk ready: Applicants must articulate all major risks associated with the proposed project, including political, financial and security risks, and how these risks will be managed.

Demonstrate capacity to manage funds and programmes: The PSF will assess whether the applicant demonstrates sufficient institutional and administrative capacity to drive the project forward, so can provide Funding+. Under this Funding+ model, the PSF works with both new and emerging organisations, as well as established entities, to strengthen the organisation with organizational development or technical support.
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Be achievable: The project must be achievable within the timeframe. Applicants must articulate measureable outcomes. 

To Consider

The PSF looks favourably on proposals that are partially funded by other sources, and seek to adhere to joint donorship principles to improve effectiveness, increase transparency and reduce the administrative and management burden on our partner implementing agencies.
 
Funding will be compared with the amount that has been previously managed by the recipient organisation. In exceptional circumstances, a modest increase may be agreed upon if the requisite fund management capacities are in place. The average size of a PSF grant is USD 200,000, though grants as small as USD 5,000 have been given.

The PSF looks favourably on proposals that advance the role of youth and/or disabled in promoting social cohesion.
 
The PSF may require changes to proposals that do not meet all the criteria, but meet some criteria and operate within the fund’s overall goal.

The PSF balances available funds across a portfolio of projects that address our criteria.
 
The PSF supports small-scale, locally led initiatives wherever possible. 

Is this you? Apply today!

The PSF receives many applications and not all applicants will receive funding.
 
Before submission, we encourage project teams to email, call or meet with our team. Our team can assist you, in Myanmar or English, to design and develop your proposal.
 
Learn about our two-stage application process here and access our application templates here.