Guidance for Writing Strong and Credible Proposals

Be Honest, Clear, and Evidence-Based

Be Specific and Avoid Vague Language

Submit Polished, High-Quality Proposals

Be Honest, Clear, and Evidence-Based

• Always provide truthful and transparent answers in your proposal. Do not include information that you cannot verify or support with real evidence.
• Remember that all proposals are subject to field verification and due diligence, so any false or exaggerated claims will be revealed and may disqualify your application.
• Avoid overpromising or setting unrealistic goals. Instead, focus on what you are confident you can achieve, based on your organization’s actual capacity, past experience, and funding resources you are applying for.

 Example: Instead of stating, “We will plant 1 million trees in one year,” say, “Based on our past performance and available resources, we plan to plant 100,000 trees across X hectares in 2025.”

Be Specific and Avoid Vague Language

• Use concrete, measurable, and location-specific information throughout your proposal.
• Avoid generic phrases such as “We will work with communities to improve their livelihood.” Instead, explain how, where, and with whom you will work, and what the expected outcomes are.

 Example: “We will collaborate with three women’s cooperatives in Rutsiro District to establish agroforestry plots on 50 hectares of degraded land, improving household incomes and soil quality.”

• If you are new to TerraFund:
  • Clearly confirm and describe your previous restoration work and locations, even if it was under other programs or donors.
• If you are part of the Landscape Cohort:
  • It is okay to include the current progress of your TerraFund-supported projects, including planting progress, survival rates, community involvement, and financial tracking.

Submit Polished, High-Quality Proposals

• While you are allowed use AI or external tools, we encourage you to carefully review and polish every section of your proposal before submission.
• Well-written proposals are:
  • Free from spelling or grammar errors
  • Clearly structured
  • Easy to read and understand
  • Aligned with the questions asked

!!!! Carefully read all the questions and review the descriptions multiple times to fully understand what TerraFund is looking for in your responses. If anything is unclear, consult your focal point for feedback before submitting your final answers.