Let’s take time to thank the thousands of brave health professionals and all frontline responders, who are risking their lives daily to protect us.
Today the world also celebrates World Health Day with the theme “Together we can reach a fairer and healthier world”. The World Health Organization (WHO) wants to highlight the urgent action needed to eliminate health inequities and mobilize action to attain better health for all and leave no one behind. As more than half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services, WHO reminds world leaders specifically of their commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals in the Health Sector.
We decided to celebrate World Health Day with an article about five tips for proposals in the health sector so that more NGOs can continue their great work in this area.
Donor research is always important when you write a proposal. You should always know exactly what your donor wants to see in a proposal and if your goals align. This is particularly true in the health sector though. Donors tend to fund very specific projects and health is a very diverse sector. Some donors only fund research, other mitigation, and others only project tackling specific diseases. Make sure that you clearly understand the donor before writing a proposal and that your project would fit into their agenda.
Cross-cutting themes are always important and can add new layers to your proposal. Every donor is happy if your project has become an exceeding impact than only the immediate results and wants to know about this. Cross-cutting themes are specifically important in the health sector though. Children who are healthy to go to school more frequently, mothers who don´t have to care for sick children can spend their time more productively, money that was bound in health care can be invested and entire economies strive when a health crisis can be averted. Make sure your donor knows about these effects of your proposed project so they can be taken into account.
Particularly in the health sector, so much research takes place that last year’s newest trend is old news today. Make sure you stay up to date and know all the newest developments. You don’t want to be the one proposing a project using outdated technology or an old approach that has been updated recently. Stay in the loop to always know first when something new is developed.
Working with partners is always a good idea. It is of special importance in the health sector though, as one organization can seldom solve a problem alone. Different organizations and stakeholders have different expertise and experience that can be used to achieve a common goal. Resources can be used much more economically when tasks are divided between the different partners. Specifically, in the health sector where expert knowledge and technology are needed, this is of core importance.
Be realistic when writing your proposal. Your project might be great for your target community, but you will most likely not solve a worldwide problem with your approach. While it is, of course, great if your project has a big impact, donors do not want to feel like you are promising something that is not achievable. Be realistic in your assumptions and your reach.
Good luck with your next proposal!
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.
Working on health sector.. you need to work together with government department at lot
Hello Shimano,
yes, particularly in the health sector working with partners from the government and private sector is of core importance.