A GUIDE FOR NGOS TO IDENTIFYING ADB BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Here are some key document, contacts, and website that should help you start to identify if there might
be business opportunities of interest to your organization, and who to talk to at ADB:
1.
ADBs Strategic Plan, Strategy 2020 This is ADBs institutional strategic document. Read
through this to get an idea of how ADB works, what its priorities are, and to learn the ADB language.
http://www.adb.org/documents/policies/strategy2020/strategy2020.pdf Please note that in 2014 ADB
conducted a mid-term review of Strategy 2020 and in the realignment of the plan committed to
increasing its collaboration with civil society: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutionaldocument/34149/files/midterm-review-strategy-2020-r-paper.pdf
2.
Reports of ADB-civil society participation- These annual reports describe how ADB and CSOs
are working together, and so they are a good starting point in understand what sort of collaboration we
have been doing. They are also useful because they include charts that illustrate what ADB is currently
doing with NGOs in terms of regions where ADB has a lot of civil society partnership, sectors where
collaboration is highest, and by financing modality. http://www.adb.org/documents/adb-cooperationcivil-society-biennial-report-2011-2012
3.
Work that ADB does in a sector is captured in sector operation plans. NGOs focusing on specific
sectors may find it useful to read ADBs institutional plan for that sector to get an idea of priority areas
and ADBs methodology. Here are links to some of the plans; note some will be updated shortly:
Health: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2008/Operational-Plan-For-Health.pdf
Education: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/31343/education-2020.pdf
Water: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2003/water-policy.pdf
Transport: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2010/Sustainable-Transport-Initiative.pdf
Read the Country Sector & Thematic Assessments, which provide information on ADBs support to
specific sectors in particular countries (rather than just institutionally, as the ones listed above do):
http://www.adb.org/documents/series/country-sector-and-thematic-assessments
4.
The next step is to look at where there may be common initiatives at the country level. Consider
the countries where your organization works, and then review ADBs Country Partnership Strategies
(CPS) to see what work ADB is planning to do in that country. (Note that ADB seeks NGO input during
the drafting of this strategy.) There is a CPS for each country that is available on the home page of each
country website. From www.adb.org, click the Country tab, and then once on the country page, choose
Strategic Documents from the menu on the left side of the web page. The CPS is a strategic document,
and it is broken down into annual work plans, or the Country Operations Business Plan (COBP). The
COBP has a table of projects in the appendix planned each year to help achieve the CPS. This matrix is an
excellent place to identify projects where there may be future business opportunities.
5.
Once you have identified a specific project listed in the COBP that is in the pipeline that might be
of interest to your organization, go to the ADB project database. First select the country and then filter
for Proposed Projects. Click on a project to learn more about it. That will bring you to the
6.
Project Data Sheets (PDS) provide details about each project, including those that are not yet
approved. The name of the project officer is on the PDS, should you have questions or if you want a
contact person to learn more about potential opportunities for collaboration. This is a great way to
introduce yourself to a project officer who may be working in similar areas to your organization.

SUMMARY OF FINANCING MODALITIES

Unlike other international development actors, the Asian Development Bank does not have a fund
dedicated to supporting civil society initiatives, or to which NGOs can directly apply and receive funding.
However, CSOs are involved in a very high proportion of our projects, usually at the design phase, and
typically through consultations (for which they are not formally engaged). Often these are very small
local organizations, but in some countries and in some sectors, its more common to see larger NGOs
involved and even implementing ADB-financed projects.
This handout explains some of the different ways that ADB engages with CSOs, both formally and
informally, to help organizations who think that they might like to collaborate with the ADB understand
how the ADB operates and where those opportunities may be.
Mechanisms for engaging formally with NGOsADB has 3 main financial products that it offers to governments- a loan (which is paid back, but at very
low rates because they are for development projects), technical assistance (money for expert advice
that is managed by ADB, that is not repaid), and grants (money for projects that is not repaid and
managed by the government). Because technical assistance projects (TAs) are managed by ADB and
grants usually by the government, NGOs engaged under a grant would be likely to be enter into a
contract with the government. On the other hand, NGOs working on a TA would likely be engaged by
ADB. ADB also has products for the private sector, but they typically have minimal civil society
participation. ADB does not lend money to NGOs or give NGOs grants or TAs. It is unusual for an NGO to
approach ADB with a concept and to find funding for it. However, from time to time, ADB does seek an
NGO to perform a specific service it required. ADB then contracts NGOs to deliver a particular service or
output. From ADBs perspective, this is a business relationship only.
* Sometimes, part of our technical assistance is provided by an NGO. ADBs relationship with the NGO is
as a contractor, and although the money is not repaid, ADB does not consider it a grant. ADB considers it
as a contract to provide services. ADB has several types of technical assistance. One is the PPTA, or
project preparatory technical assistance. This is money that ADB allocats to design a loan. To design a
loan, ADB has to address social issues, including environmental impact, resettlement (including
provision of new livelihoods in some cases), and indigenous people. ADB also has to consult with
communities and collect data for a poverty analysis, among other requirements. So, there are
sometimes opportunities for NGOs to be involved in PPTA work.
* Likewise, some activities in a grant could be carried out by an NGO. The government would issue the
call for proposals and select the NGO to implement those activities in line with ADB procurement
procedures.
* Although it is less common, sometimes part of a loan- which is most often for infrastructure- would
have a component that could be contracted to an NGO. For example, in a road project, perhaps the
government would decide to use an NGO to lead a road safety campaign, or to hold training about HIV
and AIDS or human trafficking. But the bulk of the loan activities are typically large-scale construction
contracts, for which international firms bid and implement.
* Note that a lot of ADB-NGO collaboration takes place on a voluntary basis. Some NGOs monitor ADB
projects and refuse to accept payment for it as a matter of principle so they can maintain their
independence. Other times, ADB works with NGOs (usually local) to mobilize communities for meetings
about project design. Or CBOs are project beneficiaries.

FUNDS FOR NGOS

ADB does not have any fund dedicated to NGOs. However, the Pilot and Demonstration Activities
component of the Water Fund does accept direct applications from NGOs, as well as other groups. The
budget limit is $50,000. The website includes a list of previously funded project that give a good
indication of examples of projects the fund is interested to support.
http://www.adb.org/sectors/water/pda/faq
The Integrated Disaster Risk Management Fund has a small amount of money available for NGO
projects of a regional nature that take place in at least three countries. For more information, visit
http://www.adb.org/site/funds/funds/integrated-disaster-risk-management-fund
Other funds: These funds are not available directly to NGOs, but often these funds support projects
that have NGO components. The websites have all of the previously funded projects listed for reference.
These funds are listed only as reference for where funding has supported past initiatives. None of these
funds accepts proposals from NGOs. Only ADB staff can apply for these funds.
1. Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction
http://www.adb.org/site/funds/funds/japan-fund-for-poverty-reduction
2. Gender and Development Cooperation Fund
http://www.adb.org/themes/gender/cooperation-fund
(The annual report outlines what types of projects it funds:
http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/34144/files/gdcf-progressreport-2013.pdf
3. Governance Fund
http://www.adb.org/site/funds/funds/governance-cooperation-fund-gcf
4. A full list of funds is available at: http://www.adb.org/site/funds/funds

OTHER WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH ADB

1.
Introduce yourself to the NGO Anchor in each country where you have an office. The NGO
Anchor is a person who is appointed as the focal point for civil society relations in each ADB field office.
The full list of NGO Anchors and their contact details is at: http://www.adb.org/site/ngos/contacts
2.
ADB updates its CPSs in line with the government national poverty reduction strategy. Find out
when the ADB will be updating its next CPS by seeing when the current CPS will run out. Participating in
the consultations for the CPS is an excellent way to stay informed about what ADB is planning in each
country.
3. Participate in the ADB Business Opportunities Fair each year in March. Check adb.org for details.
4.
Stay tuned through our e-Alerts email notification system. You can customize your alert for
whatever type of information you wish to receive, including business opportunities, publications, etc.
http://alerts.adb.org/

BIDDING FOR ADB PROJECTS

How does ADB assess applications from NGOs? It uses the Quality Cost Based Selection Method- see
page 113 of this manual- http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutionaldocument/31340/csom.pdf for advice to staff about how to evaluate a proposal from an NGO.
Firms who are already shortlisted for a contract are listed on ADBs websites. These firms sometimes
need more consultants to staff a project for an ADB bid. The list is available here:
http://www.adb.org/site/business-opportunities/operational-procurement/consulting-sf
Search the project database for what will be approved in 2014 and review projects to see what skills the
project will recruit for. Also review the procurement plans for new projects to see what is coming up in
the future: http://www.adb.org/site/business-opportunities/operational-procurement/consulting-pp
Read the ADB country Fact Sheet, as on the last page is a table showing who has won the biggest and
most ADB contracts in the country. Some NGOs new to ADB will partner with a contractor who has a lot
of experience with ADB before applying directly themselves. The fact sheet is a good starting place to
see who has been successful in winning ADB contracts in the country. Here is the Philippines Fact Sheet:
http://www.adb.org/publications/philippines-fact-sheet?ref=countries/philippines/publications

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO MANAGE AN ADB CONTRACT? READ THIS FIRST!
The first point to mention about ADB contracts is that NGOs are allowed to make money on an ADB
contract. The contract budget does not have to be prepared on an at-cost basis.
Managing an ADB contract requires a LOT of paperwork and patience. Be sure to prepare a budget that
will cover all of your costs, as well as the costs of managing the ADB contract. To learn about the
requirements of managing an ADB contract, first visit the guide for your funding modality:
ADBs Technical Assistance Disbursement Handbook (for technical assistance projects)
ADBs Loan Disbursement Handbook (for loans and grants)
Be sure to engage a dedicated administrator with strong finance skills to manage your ADB contract, and
include the administrator in your proposal.
Lainie Thomas
Social Development Specialist
(Civil Society & Participation)
Office of the Director General
Southeast Asia Regional Department
ethomas@adb.org
(+632) 632-4292

World Visions Virginia Bethe, Business Development Director Grants, shared

experiences of World Visions engagement with the ADB at the DevEx Forum in
Manila in 2014. She offers this advice to NGOs:
We made the mistake of starting to engage with ADB through the Resident
Missions. We should have started in Manila.
The ADB Business Opportunities Fair was useful for us.
We misunderstood what ADBs grants were. They are for governments, not
NGOs.
We learned that we have to sell ourselves as a competent contractor who can
deliver the services needed on an ADB-financed project.
The ADB website has a lot of information on it. Its worth spending time there.
The ADB Alerts are very useful.
NGOs can play a part as a trusted broker in ADB-financed project, as all
projects, regardless of size, have impacts on communities.