Introduction
This document provides guidance to applicants who have passed the eligibility screening and are invited to submit a full proposal under the Hands of Mercy International (HoM) Small Grants Programme.
It explains how to develop a strong project proposal and corresponding budget aligned with HoM’s mission and priorities. All applications and annexes must be submitted in English.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit well before the deadline to avoid technical challenges.
1. Project
1.1 Project Main Data
Project Title
- Clear and concise (maximum 255 characters)
- Directly linked to one or more HoM focus areas
- Reflective of the project’s main objective
- Free of abbreviations
Examples aligned with HoM:
- Community-Based Maternal Health Strengthening Initiative
- Resilient Livelihoods for Women and Youth in Drought-Affected Regions
- Faith-Led Child Protection and Safe Spaces Programme
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Smallholder Families
Project duration
Projects must run between 12 and 24 months.
Project start dates must align with the HoM implementation calendar.
1.2 Project Summary
i. Initial Situation and Problem Statement
- The specific problem your project addresses
- The social, economic, health, or environmental context
- How the issue affects vulnerable groups
- Existing gaps your project will fill
Focus only on problems your project can realistically address.
ii. Link to HoM Focus Areas
Your project must align with one or more of the following HoM priority areas:
- Community Health & Primary Healthcare Access
- Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health
- Youth Empowerment & Education
- Women’s Economic Strengthening
- Faith-Based Community Mobilisation
- Climate Resilience & Sustainable Livelihoods
- Safeguarding & Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Explain clearly how your project contributes to these areas.
iii. Project Approach
Explain:
- Your methodology
- Key interventions
- Tools or innovations used
- How communities will be engaged
- What makes your approach effective and sustainable
Provide enough detail for technical assessment while remaining accessible to non-experts.
iv. Project Goals
Summarize:
- What will change?
- Who will benefit?
- How will the situation improve?
- What measurable results are expected?
v. Interaction with Existing Initiatives
Explain:
- Existing programmes in your region
- How your project complements or strengthens them
- Coordination mechanisms with other actors
1.3 Target Groups
Clearly describe:
- Primary target groups
- Secondary beneficiaries
- Approximate number of individuals reached
- Disaggregation by gender, age, disability, socio-economic status, etc.
Example:
Target Group | Estimated Number |
Women smallholder farmers | 250 |
Youth (18–30) | 150 |
Community health volunteers | 40 |
Local faith leaders | 20 |
Children under five | 300 |
1.4 Gender and Inclusion Approach
HoM requires a gender-responsive and inclusive approach.
Applicants should:
- Identify gender dynamics in the project area
- Address barriers faced by women and marginalized groups
- Ensure meaningful participation of vulnerable groups
- Consider disability inclusion
- Promote safeguarding and protection standards
A full gender analysis is not mandatory but encouraged.
2. Project Logical Framework
HoM follows a results-based management approach.
Each proposal must include:
- 1 Outcome (overall project goal)
- Up to 4 Outputs
- At least:
- 1–2 indicators for the outcome
- 2 indicators per output
Each indicator must include:
- Baseline value
- Target value
- Means of verification
Indicators should:
- Be SMART
- Be gender-disaggregated
- Include qualitative and quantitative measures where appropriate
Activities
Each output must be supported by 3–6 clearly described activities.
Each activity must answer:
- Who is responsible?
- What resources are required?
- Who benefits?
- When will it occur?
Workshops and trainings must specify:
- Number of sessions
- Duration
- Number of participants
- Content focus
3. Additional Project Data
3.1 Project Partners
List only partners directly involved in implementation.
Include:
- Organisation name
- Type (government, civil society, private sector, faith-based, etc.)
- Specific role
- Confirmation if agreement exists
3.2 Risks
Identify external risks such as:
- Economic instability
- Political instability
- Staff turnover
- Environmental hazards
- Community resistance
For each risk:
- Describe impact
- Rate likelihood
- Provide mitigation strategy
Mitigation actions should be reflected in activities and budget.
3.3 Safeguards System
HoM requires compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
Projects must avoid causing harm in areas including:
- Labour rights and fair working conditions
- Resource efficiency and pollution prevention
- Community health and safety
- Land access and displacement
- Biodiversity conservation
- Rights of Indigenous Peoples and marginalised groups
- Cultural heritage protection
Applicants must:
- Identify potential risks
- Describe mitigation measures
- Integrate safeguards into project design
3.4 Sustainability and Scaling
Projects must demonstrate:
Sustainability
- Long-term continuation beyond funding
- Community ownership
- Financial sustainability mechanisms
- Institutional integration
Replicability
- Ability to apply model in other contexts
Scaling
- Plans to expand reach or influence
- Knowledge sharing strategies
4. Contribution to National and Global Frameworks
Applicants should indicate how the project contributes to:
- National development plans
- Health strategies
- Climate action plans
- Gender equality strategies
- SDGs
Only mention frameworks directly relevant to the project.
5. Capacity Development
HoM integrates organisational strengthening into its grants.
After selection, organisations may receive tailored capacity support in areas such as:
- Results-Based Project Management
- Financial Management
- Safeguards & Gender
- Organisational Development
- Technical Expertise
- Communications & Visibility
- Knowledge Management
- Fundraising
- Governance & Leadership
Applicants should indicate areas where they need strengthening.
6. Project Budget
All amounts must be submitted in the required currency.
HoM funding range:
(To be defined according to programme guidelines.)
The budget must not exceed the organisation’s financial capacity.
Consortia forwarding funds as financial instruments (e.g., microloans) are not permitted unless explicitly approved.
Budget Categories
6.1 Staff
Includes:
- Salaries (aligned with local standards)
- Employer contributions
- Contracted integrated consultants
List functions, not names.
6.2 External Services
Includes:
- Technical consultants
- Trainers
- IT services
- Venue hire
- Catering
- Translation
Each service must have a separate line.
6.3 Travel Costs
Includes:
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Per diems
- Visa costs
Travel for external consultants must be included under external services.
6.4 Procurement of Materials and Equipment
Includes:
- Medical equipment
- IT equipment
- Agricultural inputs
- Tools
- Educational materials
6.5 Other Costs / Consumables
Includes:
- Publications
- Printing
- Office supplies
- Software licenses
6.6 Administration Costs
- Must not exceed 12% of direct project costs
- Must be reasonable and justified
6.7 Own Funds
Co-financing is encouraged but not mandatory.
6.8 Budgeting Trainings & Events
Split costs appropriately across:
- External services
- Travel
- Procurement
- Consumables
