The Kora Kathmandu Cycling Challenge just opened the call for applications for funding for their supported causes program. This small grant opportunity for Nepal is open to all NGOs in the country.
But what do you have to take into account when writing a proposal for the Kora Kathmandu Cycling Challenge? We had the opportunity to talk with Raj Gyawali, one of the organizers. He has some great tips for you if you consider applying for this opportunity.
The Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge is a bike race that raises funds for charity every year. It started in 2011 and since then raised more than $ 50,000 in total. Every year, the Kora supports one selected cause and this year for the first time the application process has been formalized and is open to projects in Nepal. A small group of experts will decide about the proposals submitted until the 21st of March. As fundraising is ongoing, it is not clear yet how much money will be available after the Challenge. In the last years the amount was around 5000 $, qualifying as a small grant.
In the past, the Kora has supported causes in different areas. Over the years they supported the upgrading of schooling facilities at Samata School, the upgrade of a birthing center in Rukum and a Health Post in Dolakha. Furthermore, a completely new birthing center in Baitadi and a health post in Kakaibari in Dolakha were built with the support of the Kora Kathmandu Cycling Challenge. In 2017, 2500 riders raised over Rs. 500,000 for the Bungamati Trails Initiative to make cycling in Nepal more attractive. Raj Gyawali is one of the organizers and has answered some questions for us:
How did this event come to be?
In 2011, a teenager requested he come to Nepal to contribute his time and raised money for a cause. We agreed that it would be more of a learning experience if he earned the money he wanted to invest in development. So the idea of a ride was born. He was eventually joined by another Nepali 16 year-old and together they raised over Rs. 450,000 for investment into education and child development. 35 riders rode that year.
The next year, we thought that this idea could be expanded, and Save the Children came on board to vet the causes and to support the event. We got 350 riders and raised around Rs. 900,000 – invested in upgrading health facilities in Rukum. From then on, it grew to up to 2500+ riders last year, and over the years over Rs 5,000,000 has been invested in development by this Challenge.
Do you only support one cause or do you chose several causes?
We would support one main cause. However, if the other causes are great, and worthy, we are happy to endorse that as well.
How many proposals do you receive on average every year?
We have only formalized this process this year, so this is a first for us.
Can projects from all over Nepal apply?
Yes, we accept proposals from all areas of Nepal.
What should be included in the proposal?
You should include a brief summary of the project, an introduction to your team or your organization, the benefits for your target community and an explanation how exactly the funds raised will be used. And we would like to know a timeframe for the completion of the project. Keep it precise and to the point though, proposals should not be longer than two pages.
What do you want to see in a proposal?
We want to see clarity of the vision and the process of implementation. We are not ready to just invest in an idea, it should be clear how the implementation is as well, and a good team should be in place.
What is the worst mistake people could make in their proposal?
Not having a clue of how to move once the money is there. We want to see a clear strategy for the implementation in the proposal.
How can a proposal shine?
If it is concise yet clear – with clarity in implementation and a bonus of reporting back.
Thank you very much for these insights. All the best for this year’s race!
Click here to see the call for applications in full. Email your submission by 21 March 2018!
Eva is based in Germany and has worked for nearly a decade with NGOs on the grassroots level in Nepal in the field of capacity development and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. Before that, she worked in South America and Europe with different organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in geography and her field of research was sustainability and inclusion in development projects.
It’s a good concept and an innovative initiative.Capacity development and sustainabale agriculture are of foremost importance to help the Nepalese economy.
Hello,
yes, we are very happy that we had the chance to talk to Raj and to be able to give people a little insight into what this initiative is looking for in a proposal. All the best if you plan to apply!
Hello, Eva
Thanks you are pusuing your research and making great contributions by initiating change and devlopment process in Nepal with your European background.
We are NGO working as NAHUDA,
Hello,
thank you for your comment. I hope you can find the resources on this page that you need to write successful proposals for your NGO. All the best!
Do they ggive fund for health camps in remote himalaya region?
Hello,
we are not the grant giving organization but only published the interview for you to get more background information. Please check the link to see their call for applications. Thank you
http://kathmandukora.net/cause-call-proposals/
Well, i would like to know about the opportunity for those children who are geographically, economically and educationally back warded. This situation is kindly raised for those children and people who are far from government and other helping hands. I would like to work for them but our team has no proper fund to serve our knowledge. And i wanna know about upcoming opportunity for proposal. How can we apply for it. Dear, Eva winner thank you very much for your service for Nepali people and communities. God bless you
Hello Eva
I am just new in NGO field here in Nepal. But my concept to help people for better life in new concept. Would you like to cooperate and help like us (ie; fundung and other).?
Dear Himalaya: We are not a funding organization and does not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded. If you want to get in touch with Dr.Eva, please do email at info@proposalsforngos.com with details and we will forward it to her.
Thank you!
I just you are supporting for capacity building and sustainable agriculture prastice. So that i would like to know that how will you support to community-based network organization. And Do you have any plan for grassroots organization in Nepal. I hope your support will be very helpful to us. Please contact to me. then i will send detail about the organization.
Dear Santosh:
Unfortunately, We are not a funding organization and do not provide grants. We are a social enterprise that provides a platform to connect you with expert advice on proposal writing to get your amazing projects funded.
Please check out the many resources available on our site to will help you on creating a fundraising strategy.
Thank you!