Call for Proposals: Strategic Engagement Grants Program (Bhutan)

Deadline: 15-Jul-2026

The Voice for Green Change Partnership (V4GCP), supported by the European Union and implemented with the Handicrafts Association of Bhutan (HAB), provides sub-grants to grassroots economic organizations in Bhutan to strengthen structured engagement between communities and Members of Parliament. The programme funds Constituency Engagement Programs (CEPs) that enable local groups—such as cooperatives, women entrepreneurs, and SMEs—to directly communicate socio-economic and environmental priorities to elected representatives.

Each selected organization can receive up to Nu 281,033.90 on a reimbursement basis. The programme operates across ten Dzongkhags in Bhutan and aims to establish sustainable dialogue mechanisms between grassroots actors and policymakers.

What Is the V4GCP Strategic Engagement Grants Programme?

The Voice for Green Change Partnership (V4GCP) Strategic Engagement Grants is a targeted governance and community empowerment initiative in Bhutan.

It is designed to strengthen democratic participation by enabling grassroots economic actors to engage directly with Members of Parliament (MPs) through structured, formal dialogue platforms.

The programme is implemented by the Handicrafts Association of Bhutan (HAB) with support from the European Union.

Core Objective of the Programme

The main objective is to improve representation and communication between grassroots communities and national decision-makers.

Key goals include:

• Strengthening interaction between community-based organizations and Members of Parliament
• Ensuring grassroots socio-economic and environmental priorities are reflected in parliamentary processes
• Supporting Constituency Engagement Programs (CEPs)
• Improving representation of local economic actors
• Creating formal communication channels between communities and elected officials
• Building sustainable dialogue systems beyond the project period

What Are Constituency Engagement Programs (CEPs)?

Constituency Engagement Programs (CEPs) are structured forums where community groups meet directly with their Member of Parliament.

Each CEP aims to:

• Facilitate dialogue between grassroots actors and MPs
• Document community challenges and priorities
• Strengthen local participation in governance
• Improve responsiveness of elected representatives
• Build long-term civic engagement structures

Each Dzongkhag will host one CEP under the programme.

Funding Overview

Grant Amount

Eligible organizations can receive:

• Up to Nu 281,033.90 per sub-grant

Funding Modality

• Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis
• Organizations must first incur eligible costs
• Costs are reimbursed upon verification of actual expenditure

Programme Scale

The programme will support:

• 10 Constituency Engagement Programs (CEPs)
• One CEP per target Dzongkhag
• At least 30 grassroots civil society organizations engaged through EU support

Geographic Coverage (Eligible Dzongkhags)

Applications are only accepted from organizations operating in the following Dzongkhags:

• Tashi Yangtse
• Trashigang
• Lhuentse
• Samdrup Jongkhar
• Thimphu
• Punakha
• Haa
• Samtse
• Zhemgang
• Trongsa

Only organizations based in or actively operating within these regions are eligible.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include grassroots economic and community-based organizations such as:

• Community-based organizations (CBOs)
• Cooperatives
• Producers’ groups
• Self-help groups
• Women’s groups
• Cottage and small industry associations
• Grassroots SME collectives
• Women-led micro-enterprises

Priority Groups

The programme particularly supports:

• Women entrepreneurs
• Cottage industries
• Small producers
• Rural cooperatives
• Informal or semi-formal economic groups

Programme Focus Areas

The grant supports activities that strengthen governance participation and economic representation.

1. Community–Parliament Engagement

• Structured dialogue sessions with Members of Parliament
• Community consultations on socio-economic issues
• Documented feedback mechanisms

2. Representation of Local Economic Actors

• Inclusion of SMEs and cooperatives in policy discussions
• Amplifying rural and grassroots economic voices
• Strengthening visibility of women-led enterprises

3. Environmental and Socio-Economic Advocacy

• Identifying community environmental priorities
• Raising development and livelihood concerns
• Integrating local perspectives into parliamentary processes

4. Strengthening Communication Channels

• Direct communication systems between communities and MPs
• Institutionalized dialogue mechanisms
• Improved feedback loops between government and citizens

Expected Programme Outcomes

The initiative is designed to deliver measurable governance and participation outcomes:

• 10 Constituency Engagement Programs implemented nationwide
• At least 30 grassroots organizations engaged
• Improved interaction between MPs and local communities
• Enhanced visibility of grassroots socio-economic priorities
• Establishment of sustainable community–parliament dialogue models

Eligible Costs

Funding supports costs directly related to implementing CEP activities, including:

• Community consultation meetings
• Venue and logistics costs
• Travel for participants
• Facilitation and coordination expenses
• Documentation and reporting of engagements
• Workshop and dialogue session costs

All costs must be clearly linked to the approved engagement programme.

Ineligible Applicants

The following are not eligible to apply:

• Local government bodies
• National government agencies
• Organizations already receiving a V4GCP FSTP sub-grant in the same Dzongkhag
• Projects already funded by other EU-funded programmes (for the same activity)

These exclusions ensure fair distribution of funding and avoid duplication.

Why This Programme Matters

Grassroots economic actors in Bhutan often face barriers in communicating directly with policymakers.

Challenges include:

• Limited access to parliamentary representatives
• Weak formal consultation mechanisms
• Underrepresentation of women-led enterprises
• Geographic and institutional barriers to participation

The V4GCP Strategic Engagement Grants address these gaps by:

• Creating structured parliamentary dialogue platforms
• Strengthening democratic participation at local level
• Amplifying voices of SMEs, cooperatives, and women entrepreneurs
• Linking grassroots economic realities with national policy processes

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization:

• Operates in one of the 10 eligible Dzongkhags
• Is a qualifying grassroots economic organization
• Is not a government agency or excluded entity

Step 2: Define Your Constituency Engagement Program (CEP)

Develop a structured plan that includes:

• Engagement objectives
• Target participants (e.g., cooperatives, SMEs, women groups)
• Dialogue structure with MPs
• Expected outcomes

Step 3: Plan Activities and Budget

Prepare a detailed budget including:

• Meeting and workshop costs
• Logistics and travel
• Facilitation expenses
• Documentation and reporting

Step 4: Ensure Reimbursement Readiness

Since funding is reimbursement-based:

• Ensure capacity to pre-finance activities
• Maintain accurate financial records
• Collect receipts and supporting documentation

Step 5: Submit Application

Complete the proposal and ensure alignment with V4GCP objectives.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applying Outside Eligible Dzongkhags

Only the 10 specified Dzongkhags are eligible.

Lack of Structured CEP Design

Applications must clearly define the Constituency Engagement Program structure.

Weak Documentation Planning

Reimbursement requires strong financial documentation and receipts.

Duplicate Funding

Do not apply for activities already funded under other EU programmes or V4GCP grants.

Unclear Stakeholder Engagement

Applications must clearly show how MPs and community groups will interact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum grant amount?

Up to Nu 281,033.90 per organization.

What is a Constituency Engagement Program (CEP)?

A structured platform where community groups directly engage with Members of Parliament.

Who can apply?

Grassroots economic organizations, cooperatives, SMEs, women’s groups, and self-help groups in eligible Dzongkhags.

Which areas are eligible?

Ten Dzongkhags in Bhutan including Thimphu, Trashigang, and Samtse.

Is funding upfront or reimbursement-based?

Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis after eligible costs are incurred.

Can government agencies apply?

No. Local and national government bodies are not eligible.

How many projects will be funded?

The programme supports 10 CEPs—one in each Dzongkhag.

Key Takeaways

• Grants of up to Nu 281,033.90 support community–parliament engagement.
• The programme is implemented by HAB with EU support under V4GCP.
• Each Dzongkhag will host one Constituency Engagement Program.
• Funding is reimbursement-based, requiring upfront expenditure.
• Eligible applicants include cooperatives, SMEs, women’s groups, and grassroots organizations.
• Ten Dzongkhags across Bhutan are included.
• The programme strengthens dialogue between communities and Members of Parliament.

Conclusion

The V4GCP Strategic Engagement Grants programme represents a structured effort to strengthen democratic participation in Bhutan by connecting grassroots economic actors with Members of Parliament. By funding Constituency Engagement Programs across ten Dzongkhags, the initiative enhances community voice, improves policy responsiveness, and builds sustainable mechanisms for dialogue between citizens and government representatives.

For more information, visit HAB.