Deadline: 15-Jul-23
The International Organization in Bosnia and Herzegovina (IOM) announces a call for expressions of interest from civil society organizations and NGOs to submit project proposals under the project “Individual measure to strengthen the response capacity to manage migration flows in Bosnia and Herzegovina” supported by the European Union (EU) through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).
The overall objective of the project is to support Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions in the transition to a sustainable system for protection-sensitive reception and service provision that is led by the State authorities.
Through a small-grants mechanism, IOM will support civil society to implement interventions that promote social cohesion between the local population and migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and to improve the interaction between these groups.
The objective of the invitation is to support NGOs and CSOs from local communities with a presence of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, to foster mutual understanding of the needs and rights of the local population and migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and to improve the interaction between these groups.
Proposed Interventions
- Provision of innovative services based on the needs of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and local communities.
- Activities aimed at changing public perception about mixed migrations and education related to this issue.
- Intergenerational activities in the community and volunteering support.
- Educational activities and projects in the fields of culture, arts, sports and ecology.
- Improving the local community’s awareness of the vulnerability of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, the risks of irregular migration, the basic rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and available assistance services.
- Improving the local community’s awareness of the risks and vulnerabilities of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and the local population in the context of human trafficking.
Funding Information
- The funds will be awarded in the amount of Minimum 10 000 BAM up to 80 000 BAM maximum (excluding VAT)
- The implementation period of the project should be 4 months minimum up to 8 months maximum.
- The projects must be implemented within the period from September 1st, 2023, to April 30th, 2024.
Overarching Outcome
- Improved social cohesion between host communities and migrants, asylum seekers and refugees through tailored social cohesion actions and initiatives that increase interaction between targeted populations, improve mutual understanding and strengthen empathy in creative and innovative ways.
Expected results
- Support civil society, informal citizen’s groups, and activists from local communities to identify and address the effects of mixed migration and improve community services for local residents and migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, residing in their communities,
- Create opportunities for community initiatives, which bring together migrants, assylum seekers, refugees and host communities.
- Supporting advocacy initiatives and raising awareness in local communities about mixed migration issues.
Beneficiaries and Partnerships
- Beneficiaries: Projects must include migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees as well as local population to foster mutual understanding and improve cohesion.
- Considering the goal of the project, within the proposed activities, special attention should be given to people with specific vulnerabilities and needs, such as children, women and girls, and elderly.
- Partnerships: Partnerships with government institutions, public educational institutions (primary and secondary schools, libraries, kindergartens, etc.), and small and medium-sized enterprises and other non-governmental organizations working on the same issues are encouraged.
- In the case of a partnership, project proposals should include a clear description of the role of the partner organization/institution, and a plan for sharing resources between the partners. During the project proposal phase, selected applicants whose projects envisage partnership relations will have to submit a letter signed by the partner institution/organization.
- Local Communities: Support of the local community/consultation with project beneficiaries – project proposals made in cooperation with the local community and/or target beneficiaries or with the expressed support of local communities are positively evaluated. To enhance and broaden the impact of social mixing, activities should be targeted and implemented at the community level, or in areas where there have been very few or no opportunities to interact. Applicants are required to submit an official letter expressing the support of the local community.
Eligibility Criteria
- The funds will be awarded to the following applicants:
- Civil society organizations or non-profit organizations registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with applicable domestic regulations. The organization must be registered in accordance with the law for at least one (1) year, with clear evidence of previous experience in the implementation of similar projects, and promoting positive narratives within their communities.
- Informal groups of citizens, who are obliged to provide evidence of previous engagement and activism in the local community. Interested members of the informal group are required to submit a statement of partnership and leadership that proves the group’s commitment to the project idea and its implementation (signed by at least three (3) members of the group who will participate in the implementation of the idea).
For more information, visit IOM.