How to Apply or Collaborate

Learn how donors, educational institutions, community organisations, service providers and other partners can explore funding or implementation opportunities with WARA.

WARA welcomes enquiries from donors interested in supporting social-impact programmes and organisations interested in helping deliver them. This page explains how to express interest, share a proposal, discuss responsibilities and determine whether there is a suitable basis for collaboration.

Two ways to work with WARA

Partnership can begin with a funding need, an implementation idea, an existing organisational capability or a shared concern about education, skills development, community services and livelihoods.

There are two principal routes.

  • Funding a programme: Individuals, philanthropic organisations, CSR teams and other eligible funding bodies can explore support for a defined social-impact programme, its beneficiaries, activities and resource requirements.
  • Implementing a project: Educational institutions, training providers, community organisations, technology companies, healthcare providers, businesses and other suitable organisations can explore contributing facilities, expertise, equipment, services or implementation capacity.

A partner may be interested in both routes. The appropriate arrangement depends on the proposed work, the organisations involved, available resources and applicable requirements.

Explore the funding opportunities and implementation opportunities to identify a suitable starting point.

If you want to fund a programme

Funding discussions should begin with a clearly defined social purpose and an understanding of what the proposed support would make possible.

1. Identify a programme

Review the programme portfolio and identify an area that aligns with your organisation’s priorities. Areas may include digital literacy, vocational skills, community training facilities, school learning and livelihood development.

The portfolio may include concepts and programmes under development. A published programme description should not be taken as confirmation that delivery has begun or that a funding proposal is already approved.

2. Describe your funding interest

Share a brief note explaining:

  • Your organisation’s purpose and funding priorities.
  • The programme or community need you are interested in supporting.
  • The location or group of beneficiaries you wish to support, if known.
  • Whether you are considering a grant, CSR support, sponsorship, donation or another permitted funding arrangement.
  • Any requirements relating to budget, duration, reporting, evidence of outcomes or governance.
  • The stage of discussion you are ready for, such as an initial conversation, concept note or formal proposal.

You do not need to have every detail finalised before making an initial enquiry.

3. Discuss the programme and its requirements

If there is a suitable basis for further discussion, the next step is to define the proposed activities, beneficiaries, delivery arrangements, resource needs, expected outcomes and responsibilities.

A funding proposal should distinguish between one-time costs, recurring costs and any resources expected from other participants. Budgets and targets should be developed for the specific programme rather than assumed from a general description.

4. Agree on the funding arrangement

Before a programme proceeds, the relevant parties should establish the proposed use of funds, payment and expenditure arrangements, reporting responsibilities, applicable approvals and the conditions under which the programme may continue or conclude.

Funding commitments should be documented through the appropriate agreement. An initial enquiry or discussion does not constitute an acceptance of funding or a commitment to deliver a programme.

If you want to implement a project

Implementation partners can contribute by bringing a capability, facility, service, professional team, technology or local presence that helps turn a programme or project concept into practical work.

1. Identify a project or propose a capability

Review the implementation project portfolio. You may identify a listed project that matches your organisation’s capabilities or propose a different way to contribute to an existing programme.

For example, an educational institution might explore hosting learning activities, a technology provider might propose suitable digital infrastructure, and a qualified service provider might discuss delivering a defined service within its authorised scope.

2. Explain what your organisation can contribute

Share a short introduction covering:

  • Your organisation, its purpose and relevant experience.
  • The location and communities you can serve.
  • The facilities, personnel, equipment, technology or services you can make available.
  • Any relevant registrations, licences, qualifications or authorisations.
  • Your proposed role and the responsibilities you are willing to undertake.
  • The resources or funding you would need from other parties.
  • Any operational, regulatory, safeguarding or other constraints that should be considered.

If you are proposing a new project, explain the need it addresses, the intended beneficiaries and the practical activities you believe are feasible.

3. Define the implementation model

A suitable project requires more than a general willingness to collaborate. The parties should establish a workable scope, including:

  • Activities and deliverables.
  • Roles, decision-making and coordination.
  • Personnel, facilities, equipment and technology.
  • Funding, operating costs and resource contributions.
  • Quality standards, assessment and reporting where applicable.
  • Safety, privacy, safeguarding and regulatory requirements relevant to the project.
  • Measures for reviewing progress and addressing problems.

The details will depend on the type and scale of the proposed work. A small contribution may require a simple written arrangement, while a more complex initiative may need a detailed project proposal and separate approvals.

4. Agree on the responsibilities and next steps

Before implementation begins, the parties should confirm the scope, responsibilities, resource commitments, applicable approvals and terms of collaboration in writing.

Participation in a discussion or the listing of a project on the website does not by itself establish that the project is active, that a partner has been appointed or that implementation is authorised to begin.

What happens after you contact us?

The following is the intended discussion process. The steps and documentation required will vary according to the proposal; this is not a guarantee of acceptance or a statement that a formal application system is already operational.

  1. Initial enquiry: You describe your interest, capabilities or funding priorities.
  2. Initial review: The proposal is considered for relevance, feasibility and alignment with the intended social or implementation objectives.
  3. Clarification: The parties discuss the need, proposed scope, beneficiaries, resources and any outstanding questions.
  4. Proposal development: Where appropriate, a more detailed programme or project proposal is prepared, including responsibilities, costs and expected results.
  5. Due diligence and approvals: Relevant organisational, financial, legal, regulatory and safeguarding requirements are reviewed.
  6. Written arrangement: If the proposal is accepted and the necessary approvals are obtained, the parties document their commitments and agreed working arrangements.
  7. Implementation and review: Work begins only when the necessary conditions are met. Progress, expenditure and results are reviewed according to the agreed arrangement.

A proposal may be revised, deferred or declined if its requirements cannot be met or there is no suitable basis for collaboration.

How the organisations fit together

WARA’s intended model distinguishes charitable and educational work from commercial operations.

  • Wara KarmaYoga Foundation: Charitable education, training, community development and livelihood preparation, within the Trust’s objects and applicable requirements.
  • Wara Systems: The intended commercial role for marketplace operations, customer and service coordination, and related commercial activities.
  • institutional Partner: Any collaboration would depend on mutual agreement, the relevant institutional approvals and a clearly defined scope. An enquiry to WARA does not imply its participation or endorsement.
  • External organisations and providers: Suitable organisations may be considered for relevant opportunities. Participation in a marketplace or service network is not intended to be exclusive to WARA.

The appropriate organisation for a proposed activity, the handling of funds, ownership of assets and any payment for services must be established for the specific arrangement. Charitable funds should not be treated as unrestricted funding for commercial operations.

What should you expect from the process?

WARA aims to discuss proposals in a practical and transparent manner. That includes clarifying what is known, what remains to be developed, what each party would contribute and what conditions must be met before work can begin.

However, an enquiry or partnership does not guarantee funding approval, project acceptance, access to a facility, a contract, training delivery, employment, work assignments or income for participants.

Any commitments should be based on the final written arrangement and the approvals required for the specific activity.

Before you make an enquiry

You can prepare a short expression of interest using the relevant points below.

For donors

  • The programme or social need you want to support.
  • The community or beneficiary group of interest.
  • Your funding priorities and any eligibility conditions.
  • The outcomes or reporting requirements you expect.

For implementation partners

  • The project or capability you want to contribute.
  • Your relevant experience, location and available resources.
  • Your proposed responsibilities and resource requirements.
  • Any qualifications, permissions or dependencies that may affect delivery.

Use the contact method published on the WARA website to share your enquiry. If you do not yet have a complete proposal, an initial note describing your interest is a reasonable starting point.