Deadline: 10-Sep-2020
The operator of the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria has announced a call for project proposals within the anti-crisis measure to overcome the effects of COVID-19.
The measure is part of the Small Initiatives Scheme and aims to support the activities and capacity of civil society organizations in the context of the crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19 and its recovery.
The measure (competition) is in accordance with the specific features of the program area “Citizenship”:
- Target at least one third of the amount of financial assistance granted to distribution by projects in the field of democracy and human rights.
- The program (the Fund) must include youth participation.
- Protecting the environment and combating climate change can be supported only in so far as they form part of incentive measures for civic participation, advocacy, social innovation and active citizens.
- The provision of social and basic services can only be supported insofar as it forms part of a wider action aimed at increasing awareness, advocacy, empowerment and reform initiatives.
- At least 15% of the amount of financial assistance granted must be used for improving the capacity and sustainability of the civil sector, including non-governmental organizations
The competition also complies with the following specific requirements for the Fund in Bulgaria:
- To ensure a quota of at least 10% of the project funding for authorization and inclusion of Roma.
- To strengthen the capacity and sustainability of the civil sector.
- The Fund to reach disadvantaged geographical areas and target groups.
- Asylum seekers and refugees / migrants should be one of the target groups of projects.
Thematic Priorities
The anti-crisis measures to overcome the effects of COVID-19 will support projects in the following six thematic priorities:
- Improving democratic culture and civic awareness;
- Support for human rights;
- Empowerment of vulnerable groups;
- Increasing the contribution of civil society organizations to gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence;
- Increasing the commitment of citizens to environmental protection and climate change;
- Improving the capacity and sustainability of the civil sector, including civil society organizations
Funding Information
- The total indicative budget for projects under the anti-crisis measure to over come the effects of COVID-19 amounted to 432,460 euros.
- The projects can last from 2 to 12 months and the amount of the grant funding from 2,000 to 10,000 euros.
Eligibility criteria
Eligible candidates
- Admissible candidates on the scheme for small initiatives are civil organizations / non-governmental organizations, registered in Bulgaria as legal entities with a non-profit purpose (NPO) under the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities, designated for public benefit activities 23 (including community centers, registered under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act and the Bulgarian Red Cross).
- Eligible applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- not be associations of economic entities or organizations established on professional principle, the aims and activities of which are aimed at the protection of the specific interests of their members, founders or members of bodies;
- not dependent 24 by local, regional or central government and from other state and public bodies and institutions;
- not to be dependent on political parties and traders within the meaning of the Commercial law; to respect the principles of democracy and respect for human rights.
- Political parties, religious institutions, social partners and cooperatives do not are eligible candidates under the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria.
- Eligible candidates in this competition are organizations that at the time of submission of the project proposal, have not reimbursed funds under the Program for support to NGOs in Bulgaria due by court decision.
For more information, visit https://www.activecitizensfund.bg/public/portfolios/newsItem.cfm?id=136