CALL FOR THE FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT OF SOIL PROJECTS

Objective

The main purpose of formative assessment is to promote your projects and ideas that align with the objectives of the "4 per 1000" initiative and the SDGs. The FASP will improve the visibility and the quality of your projects and thus increase the likelihood of funding and support. Simultaneously the formative assessment is a valuable service to improve decision-making by those who finance projects.

Formative assessment is provided by the Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) of the "4 per 1000" Initiative in collaboration the Executive Secretariat.

We will publish a summary of positively evaluated projects as an investment opportunity on the initiative's website (https://4p1000.org) and the electronic platform. Project owners will receive an evaluation report with recommendations for further improvements, advice on funding and cooperation opportunities, and a letter of support highlighting the importance of the project. We will also promote promising projects as part of the annual "4 per 1000" day to attract the attention and support of suitable funders.

Benefits

The formative assessment aims to improve the relevance of your planned or ongoing project and ensure that it aligns with the Vision, Guiding Principles, and Objectives of the Global Strategy of the "4 per 1000" Initiative.

It provides feedback to project managers to help them recognize their strengths and weaknesses and identify areas that need work.

Formative assessment is essential as it provides valuable information for the design and refinement of the development or implementation process. Identifying areas for improvement early on can save time, resources, and money in the long run. It can also ensure that the final product or program meets the target audience's needs, leading to greater satisfaction and success.

In addition, formative assessment can promote a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Organizations can improve their processes and outcomes by regularly soliciting feedback and adjusting. This can lead to greater efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.

For this purpose, the STC has developed a set of reference criteria and indicators, methods, and measurement units for the formative assessment of the project approved by the consortium of the "4 per 1000" Initiative. The STC will assess the project information you submit. If necessary, it will seek the support of experts.

Once the assessment is complete, you will receive an assessment report with results and recommendations.

FASP at different project stages

Depending on the stage of development of your project, you can apply for a formative assessment for the following purposes: 

a. Conception stage: The aim is to develop a convincing project concept note you can present when funding opportunities arise or someone shows interest. It is useful to clarify open questions regarding content and partners. This gives you a decisive advantage if an opportunity arises.

b. Proposal stage: The aim is to make your existing project proposal more convincing to increase your chances of obtaining funding.

c. Ongoing: The aim is to improve your current project, increase its impact, and reduce/avoid negative effects. At this stage, FASP aims to strengthen the support of the project by the stakeholders and contribute to learning.

Eligibility

This call is addressed to all partners and friends of the "4 per 1000" Initiative who are planning projects to increase the carbon content in the soil and improve soil health.

Procedures

The 

Phase 1: Eligibility check

Once submitted, we will check the eligibility of your request and inform you about the result.

Phase 2: Compile information and submission

If your request was admitted, we will create a dedicated project folder on the collaborative platform with three pages for providing information required for the the assessment.

Participant must provide the following information. 

• Project documents: This is a page for uploading relevant project documents via drag & drop. This can be a variety of documents that the project owner considers helpful for understanding the project, e.g. a general document introducing the project, its goal, objectives, etc.
• Project concept note: Completing this template is mandatory for projects in the conception phase. However, it can also be useful for summarizing and sharing information about planned and ongoing projects.
• FASP questionnaire: This is the central document of the formative assessment. It holds a range of question to verify the compliance of your project with the reference criteria and indicators. The questionnaire is divided in four sub-pages, one for each Step of the assessment (see below). You have to complete all.

The assessment team may request additional information as needed and will hold conference calls with project owners as appropriate.

Under no circumstances we will disclose your information to third parties without your consent.

Phase 3: Formality check

After submission, the Executive Secretariat will verify the completeness of the submitted information. We'll let the submitting organization know if the request was complete or not. If the information is complete they are forwarded to the STC for the formative assessment.

Phase 4: Formative Assessment by the STC 

The approach comprises four sequential steps, each defined by a distinct category of reference criteria, including socio-economic and soil science dimensions. If Step 1 is successful, Step 2 will be completed, and if successful, the assessment will continue with Step 3 and final Step 4. If not, the proposer will know why the project is not assessed fully.

Step 1: Safeguard

Safeguard Criteria will ensure that actions to increase SOC do not restrict human rights or negatively affect land rights and poverty alleviation. Suppose a SOC or SOC project activity does not satisfy all safeguard criteria: In that case, the STC will stop assessing the project or the corresponding project activity, and the Project Owners will be informed.

Step 2: Direct Reference

Direct Reference Criteria will be used to assess the direct effects of projects on i) SOC stocks and land degradation neutrality (SDG 15), ii) climate change adaptation, iii) climate change mitigation (SDG13), and iv) food security (SDG 2).

A project must aim at a positive impact on soil organic carbon (i.e. increase SOC or, at a minimum reduce SOC loss, compared to business as usual). It should actively aim for positive impacts on the other direct reference criteria. Otherwise, the project may not be considered further by the STC. We will inform you about improving the proposal to achieve positive impacts for all direct reference criteria.

Step 3: Indirect Reference

Indirect Reference Criteria will be used to assess the indirect effects of projects on a range of other economic, social, and environmental dimensions, including welfare and well-being (SDG 12), biodiversity and ecosystem services (SDG 15), water and nutrient cycles (SDG 6), etc. If, compared to a business-as-usual baseline, the project is likely to have substantial negative impacts on social, economic, or environmental dimensions, it will be negatively evaluated on the corresponding criteria.

Step 4: Cross-cutting

Cross-cutting Dimensions of projects will be reviewed using cross-cutting criteria, including training and capacity building and participatory and socially inclusive approaches.

Schedule of the call

The FASP Procedure

Phase 1: Request & Eligibility check

The procedure starts with the submission your FASP request (see below). We will check eligibility and inform you about the result.

Phase 2: Compile information and submission

If your request was admitted, we will create a folder for your project on the collaborative platform containing three pages for providing information required for the the assessment.

You must provide the following information. 

• Project documents: This is a page for uploading relevant project documents via drag & drop. This can be a variety of documents that the project owner considers helpful for understanding the project, e.g. a general document introducing the project, its goal, objectives, etc.
• Project concept note: Completing this template is mandatory for projects in the conception phase. However, it can also be useful for summarizing and sharing information about planned and ongoing projects.
• FASP questionnaire: This is the central document of the formative assessment. It holds a range of question to verify the compliance of your project with the reference criteria and indicators. The questionnaire is divided in four sub-pages, one for each Step of the assessment (see below). You have to complete all.

The assessment team may request additional information as needed and will hold conference calls with project owners as appropriate.

Under no circumstances we will disclose your information to third parties without your consent.

Phase 3: Formality check

After submission, the Executive Secretariat will verify the completeness of the submitted information. We'll let the submitting organization know if the request was complete or not. If the information is complete they are forwarded to the STC for the formative assessment.

Phase 4: The Formative assessment

The formative assessment in carried out in four consecutive steps. Each step deals with a specific category of reference criteria. The assessment continues with the next step only if the criteria of the previous step are met. If step 1 is successful, step 2 is completed, and if this is successful, the assessment continues with the third and fourth steps.

If the assessment is interrupted, the project owner will be informed of the reasons. Depending on the amount of technical information provided and the expertise available in the STC, technical advice will be given to the project owner to improve the project. 

Step 1-Safeguards: It assesses if the project does not restrict human rights or affect land rights and poverty reduction. If the project does not meet all the safeguard criteria, the STC interrupts the assessment and informs the project owner about the reasons.

Step 2-Direct: It assess the direct impact of projects on the following areas:

i) SOC stocks and land degradation neutrality (SDG 15 Life on land),
ii) Adaptation to climate change and
iii) climate change mitigation (SDG 13 Climate change) and
iv) Food security (SDG 2 Zero hunger).

A project must improve Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), i.e. increase SOC or reduce SOC loss compared to "business as usual". It should also work towards a positive impact on the other direct reference criteria. Otherwise, the STC interrupts the formative assessment and advises on how the proposal can be improved to achieve a positive impact on all direct reference criteria.

Step 3-Indirect criteria: It assess the indirect effects of projects on a range of other economic, social, and environmental dimensions, including welfare and well-being (SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production), biodiversity and ecosystem services (15 Life on land), water and nutrient cycles (SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation), etc. If, compared to a business-as-usual baseline, the project is likely to have a strong negative impact on social, economic, or environmental dimensions, it will be negatively evaluated on the corresponding criteria.

Step 4-Cross-cutting:  It assesses the extent to which the project takes into account participatory and socially inclusive approaches and contributes to capacity building.

Projects that have undergone the full assessment for the four steps will also receive recommendations for further improvement. A short description of the projects that are assessed as conforming with the objectives of the 4 per 1000 Initiative will be included on the 4 per 1000 website (1).

Projects that have passed the fours steps of the assessment receive an assessment report with an assessment summary. Depending on the level of technical information and expertise available within the STC, technical advice will be provided to improve the project. The assessment team will also list potential opportunities for funding and collaboration. The report will comme with a letter of support issued by the Executive Secretary of the "4 per 1000" Initiative. 

Make a request

Please use the form below to submit your request.

Before submitting your request, it is recommended to carry out a self assessment with tools such as the Carbon Benefits Project or the FAO ex-ante carbon assessment tool FAO EX-Act. These are available free of charge after registration.