Deadline: 31-Jul-24
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria through the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Armenia announces a procedure for the acceptance and selection of proposals for projects to be implemented with a grant through the Official Development Assistance of the Republic of Bulgaria, with an initial implementation period in 2025.
Priority Areas for Project Implementation on the territory of the Republic of Armenia:
- Provision of inclusive and quality education, incl. improving school infrastructure;
- Support for ensuring universal health coverage and access to quality health services incl. by providing specialized medical equipment and supporting screening programs in regions far from the capital;
- Good governance and civil society by upholding the rule of law, reforming the public sector and building capacity at the local level;
- Protection and guarantee of human rights with special attention to women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups;
- Support for the economic sector and services;
- Support for the production sector, including by promoting measures for sustainable employment, support for businesses in the implementation of EU production standards, as well as measures to overcome negative socio-economic consequences.
Objectives and Scope
- affirmation of the good name and international authority of Bulgaria;
- strengthening the administrative and expert capacity of the Armenian institutions engaged in the protection of human rights, the rule of law, good governance of public funds, etc.;
- strengthening the capacity and sustainability of the health system, including the provision of quality health services and education for women and girls, in accordance with their specific needs and post-conflict reconstruction services;
- raising the awareness of Armenian citizens about their rights;
- ensuring access to modern, quality and inclusive education;
- promoting sustainable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all;
- development of micro, small and medium business, introduction of innovations and creation of new jobs;
- improving the quality of employment and opportunities for entrepreneurship, access to digital technologies and services, etc;
- sharing the Bulgarian experience and good practices from the process of democratic and market transition, as well as gaining knowledge on the application of EU standards.
Funding Information
- Minimal amount of the project is 10 000 BGN
- Recommended maximum amount of the project is:
- for projects with main purpose to deliver goods and /or services – up to 50 000 BGN;
- for projects with main purpose to carry out repairs and /or construction activities – up to 100 000 BGN;
- for projects with main purpose to carry out so called “soft components of ODA: /conferences, seminars, study visits, colloquiums and so on/ – up to 30 000 BGN and term — up to 9 months.
Duration
- Project proposals must include an indicative start date for project implementation after January 15, 2025 and no later than November 30, 2025.
- Projects must be completed no later than December 31, 2027.
Outputs/Results
- better governance leading to sustainable and inclusive social and economic development;
- raised awareness of Armenian citizens about their rights and the opportunities provided in Armenian law for their protection;
- enriched positive image and visibility of Bulgaria in Armenia;
- strengthened administrative and expert capacity of Armenian public and non-governmental institutions;
- realized access to modern, quality and inclusive education;
- increased level of participation of young people and women in the socio-economic and political life of Armenia;
- improving the quality and scope of health services.
Eligible Activities
- Development of new/updating existing training modules
- Capacity building activities /organizing and conducting trainings in areas of interest of the administration/institutions of the partner country
- Conducting trainings on specific topics in Bulgarian institutions to exchange good practices and increase the qualification of employees from the administration of the partner country
- Organization and holding of seminars, forums, conferences
- Research and strategy development
- Activities to raise awareness of citizens’ rights
- Activities to promote multicultural dialogue and to limit racism, xenophobia, hate speech, discrimination and intolerance in society
- Activities to improve dialogue between non-governmental organizations and local, regional and national authorities
- Activities related to improving the quality of social infrastructure (educational/health) ex.: Delivery of equipment and materials for state or municipal property – schools, hospitals, kindergardens, homes for elderly, etc.; Construction and repair works to improve the condition of state or municipal property – schools, hospitals, kindergartens, homes for elderly, etc.
- Compulsory Activities to be provided in the Project:
- provision of an audit report issued by an independent financial auditor
- activities to ensure publicity and visibility of the financial assistance provided, in accordance with the Publicity and Visibility Guidelines of the Bulgarian Development Aid, worth 3 to 5% from the total value of the grant for the project, but not exceeding 5 000 BGN.
Target Groups
- Central and municipal administration, representatives of the Armenian institutions;
- Representatives of various social and minority groups, vulnerable categories of persons (children with disabilities, migrants, the elderly and people with disabilities);
- Young men, girls and young women; pupils and students receiving education in various educational institutions;
- Representatives of the civil sector and non-governmental organizations;
- International and local non-governmental organizations;
- Municipalities and their associations;
- Educational, health and social institutions;
- International humanitarian organizations.
Eligibility Criteria
- Primary and secondary budget spenders – legal entities of the Republic of Armenia;
- International and local non-governmental organizations;
- Municipalities and their associations;
- Educational, health and social institutions;
- International humanitarian organisations,
- Priority will be considered:
- Beneficiaries whose projects from previous years have been successfully completed within the term of the contract/annex and with final reports accepted by the MFA.
- Beneficiaries who have submitted interim reports on projects from previous years within the term of the contract/annex;
- Candidates with a sustainable project history of at least 2 years;
- Candidates with a term of activity registration of no less than 2 years or those whose registration has been deleted and whose activity has been interrupted through no fault of the applicant;
- Current beneficiaries who have not reimbursed due funds from previous projects financed under the Development Cooperation Program will not he admitted
Ineligible
- As ineligible candidates in the procedure for 2025 will be considered:
- Individuals and legal entities for whom there are circumstances under Art. 23, para. 3-8 of Resolution No. 234 of the Council of Ministers of 01.08.2011 on the policy of the Republic of Bulgaria on participation in international development cooperation
- Beneficiaries whose projects from previous years have not been completed within the term of the contract/annex and without final reports approved by the MFA by 30 June 2024.
- In the event that a candidate under the current procedure for 2025 implements a project under a previous financial cycle of the Development Cooperation Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, a condition for consideration of the project proposal will be the successful completion of the project within the term of the contract/annex, but not later than 30 June 2024 and approval of the final reports by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
- Beneficiaries who have not submitted interim reports on projects from previous years within the term of the contract/annex.
- Current beneficiaries who have not reimbursed due funds from previous projects financed under the Development Cooperation Program.
- Applicants without a sustainable project history of less than 2 years.
- Applicants with a registration period of less than 2 years.
- Applicants who have received first payment in the end of 2022 and still carrying out the project in 2024 and have no approved an interim report till the announce of the company for receiving the project proposals for 2025.
- Applicants may not submit more than one project proposal under this call for proposals. In the event that an applicant submits more than one project proposal, all of their submitted project proposals will be excluded from subsequent evaluation.
For more information, visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.