Call for Project Applications to support Civil Society Organizations throughout Turkey

Deadline: 1-Sep-23

The Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul hereby announces a call for project applications to promote collaboration between Sweden and Türkiye by disbursing grants.

The aim is to support civil society organizations throughout Türkiye, to serve as a resource for the partners, and to provide a platform for public debate.

Objectives

The initiatives encompassed by this strategy are expected to contribute to the objectives below.

Strengthened resilience, human security and freedom from violence
- With a focus on livelihood opportunities
  - Improved lasting livelihood opportunities for women and men in Syria.
  - Improved lasting livelihood opportunities for women and men, including refugees, from Syria who are in a vulnerable situation in neighbouring countries as a result of the Syria crisis.
- With a focus on increased access to public services
  - Improved access to inclusive and equitable basic public services for people in Syria.
  - Improved access to inclusive and equitable basic public services for people in a vulnerable situation in neighbouring countries, including refugees from Syria, as a result of the Syria crisis.
- With a focus on reduced gender-based violence
  - Gender-based violence is combated and prevented to a greater extent in Syria.
  - Gender-based violence is combated and prevented to a greater extent among people, including refugees from Syria, who are in a vulnerable situation in neighbouring countries as a result of the Syria crisis.
Strengthened democracy and gender equality, and increased respect for human rights
- With a focus on a stronger civil society
  - Strengthened capacity of Syrian civil society organisations and local structures to conduct advocacy work, participate in dialogue and contribute to peacebuilding and statebuilding.
  - Strengthened capacity of Syrian media actors to provide independent reporting and to promote democratic development and greater accountability.
- With a focus on respect for human rights and accountability
  - Increased knowledge about human rights, including the rights of the child, and gender equality among Syrian civil society organisations and in Syrian society.
  - Strengthened capacity of organisations to contribute to increased respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, accountability and reconciliation.

Focus Areas

For 2024 they particularly welcome applications for projects that focus on:
- Creating opportunities for exercising human rights, especially freedom of expression and advancing democratic participation and accountability.
- Enhancing women’s and girls´ participation and influence in decision processes at all levels and in all areas and providing fora where they can make their voices heard.
- Strengthening a pluralistic civil society that can counter social polarization and discrimination.
- Creating opportunities for the democratic participation of youth.
- Strengthening labour rights and human rights in employment and in the workplace.
They encourage projects that foster collaborations between different institutions and sectors of society, that include activities in multiple regions of Türkiye, and that are co-funded with other grant makers. They also encourage that a gender equality perspective is mainstreamed into the applicant’s organizational structure as well as their working methods, and in the activities of the project.

Funding Information

There is no maximum or minimum budget for each project. However, the average project support is normally around 400 000-700 000 TRY, but depends on the project.
The maximum project period is 12 months. Funding for projects for 2024 must be spent no later than 31 January 2025.

Activities

Sweden’s development cooperation will be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, and gender-equal. Development cooperation is based on a comprehensive approach to the challenges, needs and conditions of people and societies. The guiding principle is that economic, social and environmental conditions and processes will be interpreted and managed in an integrated context. Gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment and rights are goals in themselves, as well as prerequisites for, and means of, achieving sustainable development. Violence and armed conflict are one of the greatest barriers to economic and social development, and development cooperation is an important aspect of conflict prevention. Consequently, a conflict-sensitive approach, a gender perspective and an environmental and climate perspective will be mainstreamed into Swedish development cooperation in Syria and affected neighbouring countries. A child rights perspective will also be mainstreamed.
Both areas of activity contribute to improving the conditions for future peace in Syria and for sustainable reconstruction. The areas are also well suited to contribute to the reconstruction of, for example, local administration, the provision of public services and democratic processes in the event of a future peace agreement.
- Strengthened resilience, human security and freedom from violence, with a focus on livelihood opportunities, increased access to public services and reduced gender-based violence.
  - The target group for initiatives in this area is people in Syria and people in a vulnerable situation in neighbouring countries, including refugees from Syria. In neighbouring countries, this means that initiatives should benefit both refugees from Syria and vulnerable groups from the local population so as not to increase the tensions between them. The vulnerable situation has to be connected to the Syria crisis. Women, children and young people will be specifically prioritised.
  - Sweden will contribute to strengthening resilience in Syria and its neighbouring countries by improving employment and livelihood opportunities. Improved access to labour markets in neighbouring countries for refugees from Syria is a priority, as is promoting women’s economic empowerment. The prohibition on forced labour and child labour should be protected.
- Strengthened democracy and gender equality, increased respect for human rights and increased accountability, with a focus on a stronger civil society.
  - The target group for initiatives in this area comprises people in Syria and people from Syria in the neighbouring countries. Women, children and young people will be given particular priority.
  - New and existing civil society organisations will be strengthened in a way that is adapted to the difficult and high-risk Syrian context. Strengthening Syrian civil society organisations that are working for a peaceful solution to the conflict and a democratic future for Syria is a priority. In addition, the capacity of local actors and other structures to contribute to peacebuilding and statebuilding will be developed. These initiatives are important for laying the groundwork for future reconciliation and the building of democratic institutions. If and when it becomes possible to support reconciliation at national level, this should be prioritised.

Eligibility Criteria

Officially registered CSOs, foundations, associations, think tanks, trade unions and universities are welcome to apply. Applications from individuals or profit-making businesses are not eligible. Project applications related to the Syrian crisis are referred to Sida’s Syrian crisis strategy.
The form must be completed in English and not consist of more than five pages, including a budget. Please note the mandatory documents that you need to include in your application. They do not accept incomplete applications.
The budget should be prepared in Turkish Lira. Unspecified lump sums or purchase of electronic devices cannot be included in the budget. Projects with a humanitarian or psychosocial focus are not eligible.
The completed application should be sent to the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul by regular mail. It can be handed over to the guards at the Consulate.

For more information, visit Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul.