Call for proposals (Thailand)

Background and main objectives

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is a UK-based non-profit organisation working internationally to protect the environment and defend human rights.

EJF is inviting National Fisher Associations (NFAs) from across Thailand to apply for a grant under the project, ‘A Global Toolkit for Participatory Fisheries Governance’. This project, focusing on 15 countries in the Global South, seeks to strengthen the participation of small-scale fishing communities in the management of the fisheries resources upon which their livelihoods and food security rely.

This overall objective is achieved through three outcomes, namely:

1. 1. The establishment of effective participatory surveillance mechanisms for small-scale fishing communities helps deter, prevent and eliminate IUU fishing.
2. 2. The promotion of community co-management associations results in more sustainable and responsible management and conservation of fisheries resources.
3. 3. Strengthened NFAs leverage improvements to national policy, resulting in small-scale fishing communities having more equitable access and tenure rights to well-managed fisheries resources.

As part of Outcome 3, EJF is making available a number of small grants to NFAs in focus countries – including Thailand – to support their participation in the project. Specifically, grants are intended to empower NFAs to engage in advocacy-related activities that promote participatory fisheries governance.

Scope of grants

Grants issued by EJF under this call for proposals are flexible and can be used to facilitate an organisation’s advocacy work on a variety of issues related to participatory fisheries governance. These include, but are not limited to, advocating for community surveillance, co-management of fisheries resources, fisheries transparency, aligning national fisheries regulations and the constitutions of Co-management Associations (CMAs) with the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries, and increasing measures to tackle IUU fishing. Grants may be used to cover employment costs, travel, event organisation, communications, IT and office space.

Examples of the activities which EJF might support include:

• The organisation and implementation of an event/events (e.g. a workshop) that seeks to raise awareness among key government stakeholders on an aspect of participatory fisheries governance;
• The organisation and implementation of capacity building or training sessions that seek to sensitise fisher groups or their representatives on an aspect of participatory fisheries governance;
• The hiring of dedicated staff members to support advocacy around an aspect of participatory fisheries governance;
• The procurement of consultancy services that will allow an applicant to more efficiently work on advocacy around an aspect of participatory fisheries governance (e.g. support in setting up a bank account, drafting a constitution etc).

This is not an exhaustive list and other activities that contribute to fulfilling the overarching objectives specified above will be considered.

Grant eligibility

To be eligible for grant support from EJF, applicants must:

• Be a Thailand-based NFA or civil society organisation (i.e. not-for-profit and non-governmental);
• Be legally constituted and functioning (i.e. possess legal documents, an office and staff available to carry out activities under the grant);
• Represent the interests and rights of small-scale fishers (commercial or non-commercial) in Thailand;
• Have some previous experience in the implementation of projects and/or local initiatives.

Having a national presence would be an asset though is not obligatory for grant eligibility (i.e. work across more than one region or with multiple fishing communities).

Grant amount

The average grant per organisation will be EUR 7,000, with a maximum grant of EUR 15,000. Grants will be awarded based on the strength of the proposal, the organisation’s capacity to achieve the project’s objectives, and value for money.

How to apply

Applications must include the following documents:

• Organisation profile: A detailed description of the organisation, including its mission, experience, and role in Thailand’s national fisheries sector;
• Project proposal: A summary of how the organisation intends to use the grant, outlining key objectives, a timeline, and expected outcomes;
• Budget: A detailed budget specifying proposed expenditures.

Please email the above documents to will.may@ejfoundation.org, dominic.thomson@ejfoundation.org, and pruksa.singhapol@ejfoundation.org. The deadline for applications is the 16th of January 2025. Please note that no late applications will be considered.

All applications will be assessed based on:

• Alignment with objectives: How well the proposed project contributes to building the capacity of NFAs and/or small-scale fishers to conduct advocacy work on an aspect of participatory fisheries governance (e.g. addressing IUU fishing, promoting co-management of fisheries resources, fisheries transparency etc).
• Value for money: Proposals must demonstrate cost-effectiveness.
• Organisational capacity: The ability of the organisation to successfully implement the project, including the necessary financial controls and reporting mechanisms.

Please note that expenditure may be made by EJF on behalf of the organisation should they not have sufficient fiduciary controls in place to receive grants. Applicants may be asked to revise budgets if project staff identify ineligible or unjustified expenditures, to ensure value for money.

Candidates whose projects are deemed of interest will be invited to a series of interviews. All successful candidates will be required to sign a contract outlining the grant's terms and conditions. This agreement will cover:

• Approved expenditure (based on the submitted and, if needed, modified budget).
• Financial controls and reporting requirements.
• Payment terms and performance monitoring.

Grant payments will be made in stages. Where EJF is managing payments on behalf of the organisation, costs will be covered as they are incurred.

Contact information

For any further information or questions regarding your application, please contact will.may@ejfoundation.org

We look forward to receiving your proposals and partnering with you to promote participatory fisheries governance in Thailand.