Complaints & Appeals
Botswana Innovation Fund Complaints and Appeals Procedure
The Botswana Innovation Fund (BIF) aims to achieve national priorities for developing new and innovative technologies. We ensure administrative transparency through a fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory complaints and appeals handling procedure for competition applicants and grants. This document provides guidance for participants who wish to lodge a complaint or appeal a decision.
01
Lodging a Complaint with the Innovation Fund Coordinator
If you wish to lodge a complaint about a competition or grant/funding process, please submit it in writing to the Innovation Fund Coordinator. Include:
• A clear statement of the issue.
• Supporting documentation or references.
• Desired outcome from the complaint process.
02
Acknowledgment by the Innovation Fund Coordinator
The Innovation Fund Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of your complaint in writing within 10 working days. If further information is required, you will have no less than 15 working days to respond unless the matter is urgent.
03
Investigation by the Innovation Fund Coordinator
The Innovation Fund Coordinator will review the complaint and may request additional information if necessary.
04
Resolution by the Innovation Fund Coordinator
The Innovation Fund Coordinator will attempt to resolve the matter and will inform you of the decision in writing within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 30 working days of receiving all necessary correspondence.
05
Escalation to the BIF Committee
If you are not satisfied with the response from the Innovation Fund Coordinator, you may escalate the complaint to the BIF Committee. Submit the complaint in writing to the Botswana Innovation Fund Committee with:
• A clear statement regarding what you consider was defective in the initial complaint handling.
• Copies of or references to information to support the escalated complaint.
• A statement regarding what you wish to achieve as an outcome from the escalation process.
06
Acknowledgment by the BIF Committee
The BIF Committee will acknowledge receipt of your escalated complaint in writing within 10 working days.
07
Assessment by the BIF Committee
The BIF Committee will review the escalated complaint and may request additional information if necessary. You will have no less than 15 working days to respond to any communication unless the matter is urgent.
08
Resolution by the BIF Committee
The BIF Committee will attempt to resolve the matter and will inform you of the decision in writing within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 30 working days of receiving all necessary correspondence.
09
Ombudsman
If you have gone through the complaints process and remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you have the right to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the Ombudsman). You will have to make your complaint to the Ombudsman through your local Member of Parliament.
Services
Appeals Process
01
Direct Lodgement to the BIF Committee
If you wish to appeal a decision related to a competition or grant/funding process, you may do so directly to the BIF Committee. Submit your appeal in writing with:
• A clear statement regarding the decision you are appealing.
• Supporting documentation or references.
• A statement regarding what you wish to achieve as an outcome from the appeal process.
02
Acknowledgment of Appeals
The BIF Committee will acknowledge receipt of your appeal in writing within 10 working days.
03
Assessment of Appeals
The BIF Committee will review the appeal and may request additional information if necessary. You will have no less than 15 working days to respond to any communication unless the matter is urgent.
04
Resolution of Appeals
The BIF Committee will inform you of the decision regarding your appeal in writing within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 30 working days of receiving all necessary correspondence.
05
Ombudsman
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of your appeal, you may refer the matter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the Ombudsman) through your local Member of Parliament.
05
Contact Information
If you have any queries to make, you can send your complaint to complains@bif.co.bw
Confidentiality Assurance
We handle all complaints and appeals confidentially to protect the privacy of all parties involved.
aPPLICATIONS