Deadline: 29-Jul-22
The Embassy of Finland in Pretoria invites South African civil society organizations and innovation support organizations to submit concept notes to apply for funding from the Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC).
The FLC aims to build partnerships between the civil society organizations and the Embassy of Finland and to support the organizations so that they can operate more effectively.
The Embassy of Finland’s Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC) builds on the view that sustainable development cannot be achieved without an active civil society. In South Africa, civil society organizations are needed both for their advocacy work as well as service delivery.
Objectives
The objectives of this call are two-fold:
- to promote circular economy development in South Africa, and
- to strengthen civil society in good governance and democracy-related work.
Priorities
The priorities for the FLC funding of the Embassy of Finland in Pretoria include economic development and entrepreneurship, democracy and the functioning of societies. Civil society actors working in this field can apply for funding for projects in the following areas:
- Strengthening of private sector and job creation through innovation development and entrepreneurship in circular economy
- The Embassy aims to support the development of innovative circular economy solutions in South Africa. It does this by channelling funding to innovation support organizations providing acceleration services for innovative start-up companies with circular economy business models. Such models include e.g. product as a service, renewability, sharing platforms, extending the product life cycle and resource efficiency and recycling.
- Good governance and vibrant democracy
- This focal area focuses on strengthening the role of civil society in advancing human rights, good and accountable governance and vibrant democracy. Corruption and misuse of funds prevent the achievement of development and realization of human rights. Improved transparency can inspire community action around issues that matter to residents, and promote participation in problem-solving.
Funding Information
- Strengthening of private sector and job creation through innovation development and entrepreneurship in circular economy
- A maximum of 2 – 3 innovation support organizations will be selected and supported. Funding per project will range between 120 000 – 250 000 EUR, and can be granted for a duration of one to two years. After the initial round, there may be additional funding made available.
- Good governance and vibrant democracy
- A maximum of 2 – 3 project partners will be selected and supported in South Africa. Funding per project will be between 80 000 – 120 000 EUR, and can be granted for a duration of one to two years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any organisation/project selected for funding has to meet the following criteria and present the information in the proposal document:
- be ODA eligible
- be a South African civil society or private sector organization
- be registered and legally competent
- have been operational for a minimum of three years
- have at least 10% of funding from at least one other source (not including in-kind contributions)
- have a functional board of directors
- be a non-partisan organization
- demonstrate past success in related area of work to this call for proposals
- have a solid financial management system including regular financial audits, and a reliable monitoring, evaluation and reporting system
- have a sufficient infrastructure and human resources in South Africa
- demonstrate experience of working with an international donor or other external financier
Ineligible
Funding cannot support:
- Government entities or political parties
- Projects in which the beneficiary is a single person, or a single family
- Construction, purchases of land or any other one –off and ad- hoc events
- Charity purposes, humanitarian aid, donations, scholarships
- Finnish beneficiaries
- Unregistered associations or organisations
- Basic research
- Individual cultural events (no permanent impact)
- As a grant, scholarship or assistance for the applicant’s personal use or project;
- Use for the capital of microloan
For more information, visit https://finlandabroad.fi/web/zaf/current-affairs/-/asset_publisher/h5w4iTUJhNne/content/finnish-fund-for-local-cooperation-call-for-proposals/384951