What factors do international organizations prioritize when evaluating funding opportunities?

From the seminars I have attended, long-term sustainability is crucial. Organizations prefer projects that have a plan for continued impact after the initial funding period ends.

That is correct, your proposed project or activities should address their priorities and core objective either by improving on or adapting existing interventions or developing a new one.

International organizations prioritize projects that align closely with their mission and strategic objectives. The initiative should contribute to the organization's overarching goals, such as poverty reduction, healthcare access, or sustainable development.

It is expected to have a clear business case that show case the financial benefit. The funding committee should present expectations of the elements critical in the business case as it may include various factors spanning from net present value, strategic fit, market readiness, etc.

The potential impact of the project is a critical consideration. International organizations look for initiatives that have the potential to create meaningful and sustainable positive change in the target community or region. They assess the expected outcomes, such as improved living conditions, increased access to education, or economic growth.

Scanning the other responses here, there isn’t much need for me to respond as well, as others have essentially answered it thoroughly already. I guess I could just say ~ in other words my response would be similar to when President JFK said “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Essentially saying individuals that are able to put themselves in the international company of interest’s position and not only address how they would handle the issues being faced but additional creative ways they can, say, reduce costs, gain new perspective or data or even say new generational insight, etc etc … think about the company not yourself and respond from that mindset, if that makes any sense perhaps first off.

Ideally you should build into the program from the start: * a monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement framework * a plan to leverage the investment for greater impact (for example via local partnerships or co-investment) * a plan to transition the project to financial sustainability (or to wind it up in an orderly fashion at the appointed time)

One thing I found helpful is taking a broad view on the innovative aspects of what the new project or program brings. Some of these innovation could be a product enhancement, a new product completely, add on services, new way of reaching customers or engaging with them. It will be important to show the connection on how the innovation enhances or improves the customer or consumer.

As well as considering the risk and compliance requirements of the donor, you should also consider these requirements of your nation and the nation in which your project will be operating. Going above and beyond compliance and moving into demonstrable best practice - particularly in terms of duty of care to vulnerable people - is always very favourably received.

Another aspect we need to consider is the potential changes or upcoming regulations that are relevant within the time span of the project from the beginning to the end. For example a new project aiming to launch a new medical device in the United States have to not only consider the current regulations and requirements but the expected changes along the way. Funding committee should understand the risk plans are rough, and will get revisited over time as the project proceeds. That also provides opportunities to evaluate the market relevance and continuous assessment of opportunity costs.

Another thing to look out for is exclusion criteria in the funding opportunity invitation. In some cases, there are a exceptions in types of activities and interventions that may be implemented. It is crucial to take note of those exceptions and avoid them in the proposal.