Concept Note Development
A clear project. A convincing funding case.
A concept note brings the project’s purpose, climate rationale, activities, financing and delivery arrangements into a concise document for early funding dialogue. Its value depends on the coherence of the project behind it.
Concept Note Development
A clear project. A convincing funding case.
When to develop the concept note
The project sponsor, problem, proposed response and likely financing option should be sufficiently defined to support a focused discussion. An initial review identifies missing decisions or information before drafting begins.
Scope of work
- Confirm the intended audience, current template, assessment criteria and submission arrangements.
- Develop the project narrative, theory of change, expected results, indicative costs and financing structure.
- Set out implementation responsibilities, stakeholder participation, environmental and social considerations, and preparation needs.
- Coordinate review comments, test consistency across sections and track issues that remain unresolved.
What the client receives
A concept note, source register, annex checklist and response matrix recording comments and revisions. A remaining-actions list distinguishes decisions needed before circulation from studies and tasks required for later proposal development.
Information needed to begin
An agreed project summary, climate and sector evidence, indicative budget, proposed delivery partners and any relevant funder guidance. The drafting schedule depends on timely access to these inputs and agreed review rounds.
Responsibilities and submission
The sponsor and responsible applicant validate facts, approve commitments and retain responsibility for submission. Concept-note support does not replace feasibility studies, full safeguards assessments or a complete funding proposal.
- Indicative duration
- 4 to 8 weeks
- Limit
- The responsible applicant or entity keeps control of facts, commitments and submission.
Preparation
Agree the drafting boundary
Before drafting begins, agree the intended reader, template, word limit, review rounds and who signs off the facts and budget. A concept note is an early project case; it is not a full feasibility study. Any later proposal support needs its own scope and evidence plan.
