Questions related to Threshold criteria check (Eligibility):

QN 1. Is an international organisational with its country office eligible as an applicant?
Answer: Yes, as indicated in the call, the applicant is a non-government or consultancy firm

QN 2. We took note that international research institutes are not eligible as applicant. However, is it okay for international NGO/ research institute/foundations to serve as partner co-applicant (not a lead)?
Answer: Yes, international NGOs, research institutes, or foundations are eligible to serve as co-applicants within a consortium (not a lead). Please note that, to prevent conflicts of interest and state aid issues, only foundations or consulting firms with no direct link to the seed industry are eligible to apply.

QN 3. A consulting firm is eligible for the call. Can a consulting firm” be a company/for profit organization?
Answer: This question requires further clarification. Please refer to the detailed guidelines provided in the call for proposals. See also QN 2.

QN 4. What specific registration document is needed?
Answer: Read the call carefully. Kindly refer to the 12.1 Threshold criteria check, (d) which lists the documents to be submitted including a scanned copy of the organization’s registration certificate.

QN 5. Are host country agreement or host agreement acceptable?
Answer: Yes. host country agreements or host agreements are acceptable. The country office is expected to assume the lead role in the proposal.

QN 6. On the issue of in-country office (Uganda), can you kindly clarify if this applies only to lead applicant or any consortium member?
Answer: This requirement applies specifically to the lead applicant.

QN 7. Paragraph 12.1 sub d. sub d: If the lead partner of a consortium is not registered in Uganda, but one or more of the other consortium members have an office and formal registration in Uganda, does the consortium meet the criterion in paragraph 12.1 sub d (d) if the lead partner submits the registration certificate(s) of the registered consortium member(s)?
Answer: As stated in the call for proposals, the lead partner must have an office in Uganda and is required to submit a scanned copy of their own Uganda registration certificate.

QN 8. Paragraph 12.1 sub l.: In the case of a consortium applying for project funding, is the requirement under paragraph 12.1 sub l considered fulfilled if one or more of the consortium members—other than the lead partner—have an office and are formally registered in Uganda?
Answer: Kindly refer to response in QN 7 above.

QN 7. Paragraph 12.1 sub k.: Does a research institute established as a foundation (stichting) under Dutch private law fulfil the eligibility requirement in the first sentence of paragraph 12.1 sub k? Furthermore, would such a legal form be exempt from assessment as ineligible under the conditions set out in the second sentence of the same subparagraph?
Answer: Kindly refer to responses on QN 2

QN 8. We kindly ask you to confirm that only two CVs (TL and one component lead CV, only) are required as opposed to five CVs (TL plus component leads (one for each component).
Answer: Kindly refer to the call. CVs of each of the component heads in addition to the CV of the Team Leader (TL) are to be submitted.

QN 9. We would like to find out if the embassy is in position to fund the communities in XXXX {Anonymized) District.
Answer: Please refer to the call. The call is open to organisations that meet the eligibility criteria specified in the call.

QN 10. As regards the issue of lead partner’s proven experience with the implementation of seed sector development projects in one country at a comparable scale in terms of finance (see 12.1 E and F), can you kindly explain what is the measure of a comparable scale project for EKN?
Answer: "Comparable scale" refers to a project of similar magnitude in terms of finance/budget, objectives, strategy, duration, donor(s), achieved results, and targeted beneficiaries, all combined within the same individual project.

QN 11. To what extent farmer saved seeds (FMSS) is a key part (i.e. on equal footing with strengthening the other two recognized seeds systems – intermediary and formal seed systems) of this CfP?
Answer: It is a key part. Majority of Ugandan farmers largely depend on informal seed systems. QDS, if expanded, can greatly empower farmers to achieve higher yields, reduce costs, and adopt more sustainable farming practices. The need to scale up the quantity and distribution of both QDS and certified seed to meet the diverse demands of farmers cannot be overstated.

QN 12. Clarity on the extent to which applications should address and implement the Parliamentary motion (Dutch parliament) that is annexed to the CfP by providing sufficient resources to informal seed systems?
Answer: The annex on the parliamentary motion was annexed only to provide the context indicating the importance of the seed sector in the Netherlands government.

QN. 13 On the issue of the eligibility score for funding which is 70% (check stage 2, quality assessment) and Assessment of Full Proposal (FP) 75%? - (check 12.3), can you kindly explain the differences in scores?
Answer: The 75% figure was an error; we appreciate your observation. To be eligible, an applicant must achieve a minimum score of 70% on the qualitative assessment of the project proposal.

QN 14. Can EKN share the latest interim reports (or any donor project appraisal documents) of the current Dutch-funded projects such as BRIGHT, CommonGround, A-GRIP, INCLUDE, etc... Referenced in the CfP?
Answer: No. Some of the reports are public and are available on the public domain. For those not available to the general public, we advise that you contact the implementing partners.

Questions related to the Budget

QN 15. The current lead partner's total annual in-country budget is more than 50% of the value of the project proposal per year,' could you please clarify if 'current' refers to historical financial statements (e.g., 2022-2024 as requested), or if it requires confirmed revenue for future periods overlapping with the potential program duration, particularly in cases where current projects are anticipated to end?
Answer: Yes, 'current' refers to historical financial statements (e.g., 2022-2024 as requested)

QN 16. No major costs for support by general office staff can be budgeted: This statement is ambiguous. It implies that only project-specific staff costs are allowable, but the distinction between "project staff" and "general office staff" might need further clarification, especially for an organization with integrated support functions.
Answer: Any support function provided by the “general office staff” from headquarters or regional office(s) are considered to be overheads

QN 17. Maximum personnel cost is 35% of the budget (including sub-contracted and consultancies). We appreciate clear guidelines on personnel cost allocation, with a maximum of 35% of the total budget for personnel, including sub-contracted and consultancies. However, we request clarification and flexibility regarding the inclusion of certain consultancies within this 35% cap.
Answer: The 35% cap applies to total personnel costs, encompassing both project staff and consultants directly contributing to the project's outcomes.

QN 18. If a consortium, and if one or more of the consortium members, not specifically the lead partner of the consortium, has proven experience in the management of single-projects of USD 10 million or more in which this consortium member is the lead (or contract) party, will this criterion be met?
Answer: Please review the call carefully. The threshold check outlines the general criteria applicable to organisations submitting proposals individually and those in consortia. The lead partner should have proven experience in the management of single-projects of USD 10 million or more.

QN 19. If funding is not provisioned with a grant, but as an assignment, could you please provide us the contract conditions?
Answer: Funding is provisioned as a grant decision / contribution agreement / Arrangement. This is not an assignment.

QN 20. Pre-employment screening (including on Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment—SEAH): In several countries, including EU Member States, pre-employment screening—particularly on SEAH—is subject to legal restrictions. In the EU, for example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies and requires strict, function- or position-specific justification for screening individuals. As such, pre-employment or ad hoc screening for a specific project typically falls outside the legally permitted scope. Pré-employment screening on SEAH may be subject legal restrictions especially on data protection (e.g. in EU countries). Given the context, can this criteria be excluded?
Answer: No, this criterion cannot be excluded.

QN 21. What specific topics or elements must a pre-employment screening process cover for a declaration (by an applicant and/or consortium member) to be considered compliant with this criterion?
Answer: As detailed in the call for proposals, this screening will include declarations concerning Corruption/fraud/SEAH policies.

QN 22. Does the term "pre-employment" in this context refer to the assignment of individuals to the proposed project, or to general employment by the organisation of the applicant and/or consortium member?
Answer: It refers to the general employment by the organisation of the applicant and/or consortium member

QN 23. Would a declaration on the adoption and enforcement of a code of conduct be considered sufficient to fulfil the requirements under this criterion?
Answer: No

QN 24. In light of the legal and fiscal implications under the laws of several countries of formally recognizing all consortium members as grant beneficiaries, can it be confirmed whether all consortium members will be regarded as beneficiaries of the grant, notwithstanding that the lead partner alone will enter into the contract with EKN?
Answer: The lead partner is the pen holder and will signal the legal document. It depends on the specific country how to recognize the consortium member as beneficiaries. We advise you to contact your legal advisor.

QN 25. Can you confirm the funding for this project will be with a grant and clause 10.a first sentence should be read ‘The Grant will be awarded to the Applicant, in case of a consortium to the lead of the Consortium’?
• if funding is not provisioned with a grant, but as an assignment, could you please provide us the contract conditions?
Answer: Kindly refer to the answer on Qn19