More Jobs Better Lives Foundation Inc.
Revised in August 2022
Grant Program Application Guideline
More Jobs Better Lives Foundation Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “MJBL”) supports the projectthat contributes to improving the standard of living in developing regions outside Japan, thus
creating new jobs and employment through our grant program.
I.

Grant Program Outline
1. Scope of Project Activity
This grant program shall focus on the project which engages in non-revenue-generating
activities aiming at improving the standard of living in Nepal, leading to new jobs andemployment.
2. Scope of SectorsThe grant shall be provided to any sectors, including not but limited to the below-listed
sectors, that are expected to create employment.
(1) Agriculture and forestry(2) Manufacturer, except for the below-mentioned manufacturers(3) Wholesale and retail industries(4) Education and learning support industries(5) Medical care and welfare industries

The following sectors shall be ineligible for the grant program due to restrictions under
the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
(1) Manufacturer of leather or leather products(2) Weapon manufacturer(3) Manufacturer of equipment related to weapons manufacturing(4) Manufacturer of narcotics and the related products(5) Fishery

3. Applicant Qualification(1) Any NGOs or INGOs registered at the Social Welfare Council (hereinafter referredto as “SWC”) are eligible to apply for this grant program.
(2) Any organization, including a member or members thereof, which falls under anyof the following items shall be disqualified from applying for the grant application.
•If the organization is a private company or engages in for-profit activities inany organizational status•
If the organization is unable to receive money from MJBL via bank transferfrom a Japanese financial institution•
If the organization falls under the category of anti-social forces, violators, orthose related to them•
If the organization has been involved in a criminal case or cases or committed
an act or acts that may cause a loss of social or moral trust, or MJBL deems
that the organization has committed an act or acts that destroy trust1

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If the organization had received a disposition to suspend transactions with abank or dishonored a check, and three years have not passed since suchdisposition or dishonor was lifted
If three years have not passed since the organization completed theproceedings of civil rehabilitation, reorganization, bankruptcy, or liquidation
If the organization becomes delinquent in paying taxes
If three years have not passed since it was found that the organization had
window-dressed its financial statements or made other false reports
If the organization is subject to economic sanction or listed as the one thatcommits money laundering or terrorism financing and thus is not allowed toprovide the grant
If MJBL otherwise deems the organization inappropriate for the grant
program(3) Grant Applicant and Grant Recipient
In this application guideline, “grant applicant” refers to one who has applied forthis grant program, and “grant recipient” refers to the successful grant applicant
that will be awarded the grant as a result of screening of MJBL.
4. Grant(1) Details of Grant
Grant Amount: The grant applicant shall indicate the desired grant amount at thetime of application. However, the maximum grant amount shall not exceed three (3)million Japanese yen.
The grant shall be remitted in Japanese yen at the exchange rate of the remittancedate. The grant recipient shall compensate the exchange-rate loss arising from theremittance.
Grant Period: The grant period shall be within two (2) years after the signing of thegrant agreement, depending on the nature of the project.
Method of Provision: The grant shall be remitted from Japan through a financial
institution in installments in principle.
Grant Agreement: Details of the grant amount and how to provide the grant shall be
stipulated in the grant agreement concluded after the selection of the successful grantapplicant.

(2) Items Not Covered by Grant
This grant program shall not cover the following items. In addition, the successful
applicant and MJBL shall mutually agree to the details of expenditures that the grant
program should cover. The first remittance shall be made thereon.
•Food and beverage expenses•
Any expenses for the equipment not specified in the grant agreement
5. Obligations of Grant Recipient
The grant recipient shall fulfill the following obligations.

2•••••The grant recipient shall notify MJBL of the email address where the grantrecipient can be surely contacted.
In addition to the aforementioned information, the grant recipient shall provide
MJBL with a secondary means of communication, such as the account of social
networking service.
The grant recipient shall maintain constant communication with MJBL.
The grant recipient shall submit the monthly report to MJBL in order to update
the project activities during the agreed-upon grant period. Even after such period,
the grant recipient may be requested by MJBL to submit financial statements andother documents.
If there is a significant change to the grant recipient or the project, the grantrecipient shall promptly notify MJBL to that effect.

6. Participation in MJBL Platform
The grant recipient is encouraged to participate in the MJBL platform, designed to createa framework for creating jobs and employment and human resource development that
leads them, and share the details of the project activities and know-how except for trade
secrets.
7. Consent to Disclosure
The grant recipient shall consent to the disclosure of information on their project on
MJBL’s website and through other mediums to contribute to sharing tips for creating jobs
and employment and facilitating collaboration with others.
II. Application
1. Application Period
MJBL shall accept applications from eligible persons or organizations between January
4, 2023, and January 31, 2023.
2. Successful Grant Recipient
MJBL shall select one (1) grant applicant from all applicants as a successful grantrecipient to be supported by MJBL.
3. Application Procedures(1) Address
Those who wish to apply for this grant program shall send the after-mentioned documentsby email to obo@mjblfoundation.org.
(2) Required Documents
The grant applicant shall prepare the below documents. Details shall be referred to theList of Required Documents as stipulated in Appendix 1.
•Grant application form, which includes the information on the desired amount ofthe grant and project partners such as capital provider•
Identifiable photograph of the representative of the grant applicant’s organization
without image editing and disguise3•
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Citizenship identification of such representativeDocuments such as a brochure that explain the outline of the grant applicant’sorganization that includes organizational profile, activity description, andorganizational concept
Organizational plan for the most recent three years
The most recent external audit report
Registration certificate from SWC
Tax clearance certificate
Competitive quotes from three external organizations
Brochure of the item(s) to purchase
Floor plan showing the location where the to-be-purchased item or items areplaced
Floor plan of the building notarized and sealed by the authority if the project inquestion involves the construction of a building
Site map of the site where the project in question is implemented
Approval letter from the local government
Any other additional document or documents designated by MJBL

III. Screening

1. Screening Procedures
MJBL shall conduct two steps to screen all grant applicants. MJBL shall start thescreening procedures upon receiving documents from the grant applicant.
2. First Screening (Screening of Applications)
MJBL shall examine whether the grant applicant meets the qualifications stipulated inthis application guideline and whether the required documents have been fulfilled.
3. Second Screening (Interview)(1) Method of Interview
MJBL shall interview the grant applicant either in person or online. MJBL shall appoint
the place and method of the interview.
(2) Criteria
During the interview, MJBL shall examine the project in question in a comprehensive
manner and especially take the following criteria into account.
•
Potential to create jobs and employment•
Potential to contribute to solving social issues•
Innovation and creativity•
Feasibility•
Determination to achieve the aim•
Attention to the environment
4. Firsthand Observations
If deemed necessary by MJBL during the screening process, the MJBL staff or thedelegate of MJBL may visit the site where the project is implemented or to be4

implemented (hereinafter referred to as “project site”). Then, the grant applicant shalltend to them. If it is difficult for MJBL to visit there, the grant applicant may be asked toexplain the project through an online presentation or other means.

5. Rescreening
MJBL may conduct additional screening or rescreening in the following cases, regardlessof before or after the original screening procedures. As a result thereof, MJBL may
determine it unsuitable to support the project and terminate the subsequent grant
provision for it. Then, the grant recipient shall immediately return the full amount of thegrant.
•
When the representative of the project’s organization changes•
When the project’s organization is merged or its entity is changed in another way•
When a significant change is expected in the project plan•
When the project plan, contract, or the agreed-upon evaluation criteria or milestones
are changed•
When it is deemed that the grant applicant fails to meet the qualification and/or theobligations stipulated in the guideline•
When MJBL deems it necessary to have a discussion with the grant applicant orrecipient to attain the goal of the project

6. Notification
MJBL shall notify all grant applicants of the result of the screening.
7. Consideration•
All submitted documents shall not be returned.
•MJBL shall not respond to any inquiries regarding the screening process.
•MJBL may ask the grant applicant to submit additional materials or answer
additional questions about the project outline or plan until the screening procedures
are completed.
•The delegate of MJBL may visit the project site as a part of the screening process.
•Information provided in the application documents shall be recorded in our database.
•The grant provision shall be null and void in the event that any facts deserving ofprohibiting it are found for the grant recipient, such as the recipient being subject tothe economic sanction of some country, infringing on money laundering regulations,or conducting terrorist financing.
IV. Grant Provision
1. Steps to Implement Grant Provision
The following steps shall be taken to start the grant provision.
(1) MJBL notifies the successful grant applicant of the screening result.
(2) MJBL and the successful grant applicant (hereinafter referred to as “both parties”
throughout this title) set out the evaluation criteria, method, and milestones.

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(3) Both parties prepare an evaluation criteria document based on the aforementioned
criteria and method.
(4) The successful grant applicant submits a set of documents regarding the accountinformation to which the grant will be transferred.
(5) Both parties conclude the grant agreement.
(6) Upon confirming the submitted documents, MJBL provides the grant via banktransfer.
2. Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Method
Both parties shall set out the project’s evaluation criteria and method, which take thefollowing factors into account respectively.
(1) Evaluation Criteria•
Measurable criteria•
Timing and frequency of evaluation(2) Evaluation Method (how to evaluate the followings)•
Difference between planned performance and actual performance•
Actual performance and planned activities•
Numerical data of actual performance•
Target date of achievement
3. Grant Agreement
Both parties shall affirm a common recognition of the aforementioned criteria and methodand work together to achieve the project’s growth.
4. Conclusion of Agreement
When all documents required for grant provision are confirmed, both parties shallconclude the grant agreement by signing the bipartite agreements.
•The grant agreement shall include the grant amount and the account ofremittance.
•Both parties shall specify other terms and conditions of the agreement inaccordance with this guideline.
5. Implementation of Grant Provision
In accordance with the agreed-upon terms and conditions, MJBL shall send the grant tothe designated account of the grant recipient.
V. Obligations of Grant Recipient
1. Submission of Report and Notifications(1) Periodical Report
The grant recipient shall update the project activities through the monthly report, which
includes past performances and plans. In addition, the grant recipient shall submit thereceipts and a list of expenditures so that MJBL can check whether the grant has beenadequately spent and decide to provide the subsequent installment.

6(2) Notification of Change
In the event of any of the following, the grant recipient shall promptly submit a
notification of change to MJBL.
•When the representative of the project’s organization changes•
When the organization is merged or its entity is changed in another way•
When a significant change is expected in the project plan•
When the project plan, contract, or the agreed-upon evaluation criteria or
milestones are changed•
When there is a change in the registered information, such as point of contact,organization name and address(3) Other Notification
The grant recipient shall notify MJBL of the details of the organization(s) or the naturalperson(s) who started to partner with it so that it can communicate smoothly with MJBL.

2. Firsthand Monitoring
If the MJBL staff or the delegate of MJBL visits the project site for firsthandmonitoring, the grant recipient shall tend to them.

3. Participation in Exchange Event
The grant recipient is encouraged to participate in the on-site or online exchange events
hosted by MJBL.
VI. Points of Attention•••

In the event that the grant recipient has been out of contact with MJBL or has been
deemed unwilling to keep contact with MJBL for more than thirty (30) days after thelast communication, MJBL may ask those who have contact with the grant recipient
to provide the information in order to surely communicate with the grant recipient or
ask the local police or other authorities to make a search. In addition, MJBL shallregard it as a state of non-communication if the grant recipient has not responded toemails or telephone messages from MJBL.
If any false declaration or report, falsification of facts, or intent to defraud is found inany of the application documents or monthly reports submitted to MJBL, MJBL shallorder the grant recipient to immediately refund the full amount of the grant and may
take legal action if necessary.
MJBL staff or the delegate of MJBL may visit the project site for firsthand monitoringeven after the conclusion of the grant period. In this case, the grant recipient shalltend to them.

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