ENHANCING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF APEC CONCEPT NOTE & PROPOSAL FORMS

Chen-Sheng Ho, Ph.D.

Associate Research Fellow

Chinese Taipei APEC Study Center

TIER

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PART I. APEC CONCEPT NOTE

Title Page Issues

Length of Concept Note Ensure maximum of 3 pages (required) Use “Arial” font and size 10, similar to

template (presenter’s suggestion)

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TITLE PAGE ISSUES

Source of Funds Operational Account: Funds come from APEC

members’ yearly contributions and sponsor ECOTECH work.

TILF Special Account: Support projects relating to Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation (TILF).

APEC Support Fund (ASF) General: Support capacity building projects emphasizing developing economies. ASF Sub-Funds: human security, avian influenza, technology, energy efficiency and Second Trade Facilitation Action Plan.

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PROJECT SYNOPSIS

1. Relevance: Why should APEC undertake this project? What problem or opportunity will the project address and why is it important?

Emphasize the project addresses Rank 1 or 2 issues in the annual APEC Funding Criteria.

Link with priorities set by Leaders, Ministers, SOM and Committees (CTI, SCE, EC).

Describe the challenges to be address and the benefits to be obtained, such as enhancing capacity building.

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PROJECT SYNOPSIS

2. Objectives: Describe the 2-3 key objectives of the project. (e.g. to... create a framework...; ensure participants will be able to...; share experiences...; enhance understanding...; develop recommendations...; build interest...; revise strategies... etc.)

Objectives are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.

Generate a maximum of 3 objectives. Can use the examples provided to complete

the objectives.5

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

3. Alignment: Describe how the project will help achieve APEC’s key priorities and meet your forum’s work-plan or medium-term plan.

Describe the project’s connection with your forum’s work plan or medium-term plan.

Link with priorities set by Leaders, Ministers, SOM and Committees (not stated in Relevance section).

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PROJECT SYNOPSIS

4. Methodology: How do you plan to implement the project? In this section, address:

Timeline: Project timelines and dates for key activities and deliverables

If applying this year, please finish all activities by next year to show efficiency.

Suggest a maximum duration of one year from start to finish.

Stakeholders: Beneficiaries and stakeholders (APEC & non-APEC) and how they will be engaged

Kindly be reminded that ABAC is part of APEC. Cooperate with international organizations,

research institutes, APEC Study Centers, NGOs and private sector.

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PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Methodology

Previous projects/activities: If and how this proposal builds on the findings or lessons learned from previous projects/activities, while avoiding duplication

Show the importance of the current project but build on previous work.

Communication: How you plan to communicate the results or benefits of this project to others

The common answer is through website, CD-ROM, and printed materials.

Suggest the development of more extensive and effective ways.

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PART II. APEC PROJECT PROPOSAL

Title Page IssuesLength of Proposal: Ensure maximum of 12 pages (required). Use “Arial” font and size 10, similar to

template (presenter’s suggestion)

Content: Almost similar to the title page of Concept

Note. Maintain similar funding amount as stated in

Concept Note. Could revise the summary if needed. 9

PROJECT DETAILS

Section A: Relevance to APECGeneral Guidelines: Relevance: This section is about ensuring the

project links with APEC’s goals, as well as those of the fora and the relevant funding account (Project Guidebook).

Copy answers from the Concept Note, as questions 1-3 are similar for both forms.

Kindly follow the instruction regarding the length of answer, such as 1/2 page.

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SECTION A: RELEVANCE TO APEC

Specific Guidelines:

Question No. 4TILF Special Account Application: Osaka Action Agenda (OAA) is the plan for

achieving the Bogor Goals. OAA can be found at:

http://www.apec.org/Home/About-Us/How-APEC-Operates/~/media/Files/AboutUs/Action%20Plans/02_esc_oaaupdate.ashx

APEC Support Fund Application: Describe capacity building programs to assist

developing economies. Ensure the project engages developing

economies. Suggest the inclusion of developing economies as

co-sponsors.

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SECTION B: PROJECT EFFECTIVENESS

General Guidelines: Effectiveness: This section is about ensuring

the project meets stated objectives (Project Guidebook).

Kindly follow the instructions regarding content and the length of answer, such as 1/2 page.

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SECTION B: PROJECT EFFECTIVENESS

Specific Guidelines:Risks: Refer to potential challenges facing

implementation of project. Potential Risks: Lack of information; lack of

participants; lack of experts, etc. Kindly describe the risks and the solutions.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Indicators for showing project is on track and

meeting objectives: Quantitative indicators, such as number of

economies, number of participants, number of experts, number of suggestions.

Qualitative indicators, such as results of interviews and surveys. 13

SECTION C: PROJECT EFFICIENCY

General Guidelines: Efficiency: Refer to cost-effectiveness. The value

of the outputs (services, goods) in relation to the inputs (cost of resources). (Project Guidebook)

Kindly read the “Allowable Expenses” section in the Guidebook on APEC Projects.

Specific Guidelines: Common request for APEC funding is to cover

travel expenses (per diem & airfare) for participants from 11 travel-eligible economies: Chile; China; Indonesia; Malaysia; Mexico; PNG; Philippines; Peru; Russia; Thailand; Viet Nam.

Per Diem Rate for Chinese Taipei: http://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp.

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SECTION D: PROJECT IMPACT

General Guideline: Impact: Refers to who the beneficiaries are

and how they will benefit (Project Guidebook).

Specific Guidelines:Gender: Describe the steps to ensure the participation

of both women and men throughout the project implementation process.

Kindly refer to “Guide on Gender Criteria for APEC Project Proposals.”

http://www.apec.org/en/Projects/Projects-Overview.aspx

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SECTION E: PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY

General Guideline: Sustainability: Refer to the extent to which

benefits of a project are likely to continue to be evident after the project has finished (Project Guidebook).

Specific Guidelines: Show that the results of a project can have

long-lasting effects, since APEC funding may only be available once.

Suggest the designation of at least one existing organization to continue the work. 16

Thank You

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