Deadline: 21-Oct-2024
The SMART Balkans Project announces the Public Call for Applications for National Interventions Grant to contribute to strengthening participatory democracies and Euro-Atlantic integrations in the Western Balkans by empowering civil society organizations and CSO networks to play a stronger and more active role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.
Objectives
- Specific objectives of the SMART Balkans project are:
- Stronger, more sustainable, and vibrant CSOs in the six countries of the Western Balkans region
- Developed strong regional partnerships between civil society organizations from the region of the Western Balkans themselves and with their EU counterparts and public authorities
- Increased effectiveness of citizen influencing change through CSOs that advances Security and Stability and Governance in the Western Balkans region
- Increased awareness of public on importance of active participation of civil society in major development initiatives in the region of Western Balkans
Areas
- National intervention Grants will provide funding for projects related to two main areas:
- Security and Stability
- Fight against organized crime and prevention of money laundering;
- Data privacy
- Supervision of security institutions/Advocacy and monitoring of the implementation of security policies
- Governance
- Fighting fake news and promoting freedom of expression
- Euro-Atlantic integration
- The fight against corruption, including corruption at high levels.
- Security and Stability
Funding Information
- The total amount available for distribution in this call is NOK 1,250,000 for 5 grants with individual grant amounts between NOK 150,000 – 250,000
Duration
- The duration of the supported initiatives will be from 6 to 8 months.
Geographic Focus
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Kosovo Serbian language
- Kosovo Albanian language
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
Outcomes
- The main expected outcome of support through the National Intervention Grant is a significant impact on society Project proposals should:
- To improve the quality of life of a significant number of people by introducing sustainable mechanisms or measures
- Apply practical and innovative solutions to current social problems
- Dealing with diversity, equality and inclusiveness with the aim of achieving positive changes in the community
- Mobilize the community to tackle problems at the local and national level
- Encourage cooperation between civil society organizations and all levels of government
Eligible Activities
- This is a non-exhaustive list of activities that are acceptable for this type of project:
- Advocacy campaigns that include promotional and other materials and activities (e.g. policy brief, research, video, event, excluding printed promotional material)
- Working groups for drafting new laws and strategies, engagement of experts and influencers
- Capacity building activities, public consultations, research, monitoring and evaluation activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must:
- be a civil society organization (CSO), working in one or more thematic areas relevant to this Call for Applications, excluding political, religious organizations, as well as local branches of international organizations;
- be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the project, not acting as intermediary.
For more information, visit SMART Balkans.