[{"bbox": [129, 152, 653, 185], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 4.7 Organisational Set-up and Responsibilities"}, {"bbox": [140, 212, 1135, 358], "category": "Text", "text": "The implementation arrangements for this action are structured to enable the EU to participate in a multi-donor fund in Bangladesh. Due to current contractual limitations (where the EU cannot channel funding through certain partners who are not pillar-assessed entities as of the general repository of June 2024), the EU will instead channel the funding through an alternative intermediary organisation that has been pillar assessed."}, {"bbox": [140, 368, 1135, 543], "category": "Text", "text": "The current set-up of the CEF follows an established governance and implementation structure with a limited number of bodies to keep the structure lean and establish clear relations among the different bodies. It is founded on best practices for multi-donor CSO funding, featuring an established coordination mechanisms, clear roles and accountability, separate processes for implementation support and grant approvals, transparent grant criteria and a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework."}, {"bbox": [140, 553, 1135, 672], "category": "Text", "text": "**At the apex of the structure is the Fund Management Board (FMB),** composed of core contributing Development Partners (DPs) represented by their highest-level officials (Head of Cooperation or designated senior representative). Initially chaired by SDC, the leadership will rotate annually. The FMB convenes three times annually, making decisions through consensus."}, {"bbox": [140, 683, 1135, 946], "category": "Text", "text": "The FMB's mandate includes comprehensive oversight of the CEF, encompassing financial supervision, strategic direction setting, political dialogue facilitation, and coordination. The board approves significant funding allocations, annual budgets, and plans, along with human resources matters related to the Fund Management Agency (FMA), which oversees day-to-day CEF implementation. Additionally, the FMB oversees eligibility criteria and guidelines for grant disbursement, approves the final selection of grant recipients, and oversees capacity-building initiatives. Furthermore, the FMB formalises key management, legal, and fiduciary principles and mechanisms of the fund through written agreements. It is empowered to amend or develop additional by-laws for CEF governance."}, {"bbox": [140, 955, 1135, 1218], "category": "Text", "text": "**The intermediary structure is the CEF Technical Committee (CTC),** composed of technical staff appointed from each DP, potentially supported by financial staff where applicable. The chair of the CTC will be from the same DP chairing the FMB. The CTC convenes bi-monthly or more frequently as needed, making decisions by consensus. The CTC's responsibilities include overall performance management oversight of the FMA. Additionally, it is tasked with providing support and ensuring quality assurance, consolidating lessons learned, engaging in dialogue with grant recipients, monitoring risks, and identifying opportunities in collaboration with the FMA. The CTC is authorised to make decisions concerning funding allocation within specified grant windows and ceilings when mandated to do so."}, {"bbox": [140, 1228, 1135, 1550], "category": "Text", "text": "**The Fund Management Agency (FMA) is an international consultancy acting as the Technical Assistance/Secretariat for the fund.** GFA Germany has been competitively selected by SDC through a tender process and is currently establishing an office and team in Bangladesh. The FMA will be delegated authority for operational and financial management, implementation, capacity support, and progress monitoring of the CEF. It will conduct Calls for Proposals and forge strategic partnerships with selected CSOs based on a grants management manual that aligns with the rules and regulations of the multilateral contribution agreement approved by the FMB. This manual will guide day-to-day management and operations. Moreover, the FMA is responsible for formalising grant support agreements with recipient organisations, including standard terms and conditions. These agreements will detail the action description, budget, and log frame as annexes, within specified financial limits and obligations."}, {"bbox": [140, 1575, 1135, 1636], "category": "Text", "text": "The CEF will include various funding windows for both long- and short-term support through core funding or project contributions. Grant applications may be solicited through invitation, open calls,"}, {"bbox": [129, 1681, 249, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 30 of 33"}]