CFPs: Procedure for acceptance of project proposals for Grants from the Republic of Bulgaria (Montenegro)

Deadline: 31-Jul-24

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria through the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Montenegro 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 Montenegro: 

• Providing inclusive and quality education and improving school infrastructure;
• Protection and guarantee of human rights with special attention to women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups;
• Sustainable economic development and support for sustainable employment;
• Sustainable management of natural resources, nature protection and mitigation of the effects of climate change;
• Providing universal health coverage and access to quality health services.

Objectives and Scope of the Projects

• Supporting innovative teaching methods and educational approaches, modernization of schools and centres for daily care for children and youth, centres for children with disabilities and disadvantaged children – Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;
• Implementation of good European practices for protection of the rights of children with disabilities and disadvantaged children – Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;
• Protection and guarantee of human rights with special attention to women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups – Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;
• Promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all – Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities;
• Conservation of biodiversity, air and nature, water and waste management, innovative clean technologies, construction of treatment plants, waste processing plants and financing of activities related to the fulfilment of the criteria under Chapter 27 – Environment – Goal 13: Climate Action;
• Improving the infrastructure and preparedness of medical institutions in Montenegro to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic – Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Funding Information

• Minimal amount of the project is 20 000 BGN (10 000 EUR).
• Recommended maximum amount of the project is:
  • for projects with main purpose to deliver goods and /or services – up to 70 000 BGN (35 790 EUR);
  • for projects with main purpose to carry out repairs and /or construction activities – up to 120 000 BGN (61 355 EUR);
  • 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 (15 000 ЕUR) and term – up to 9 months.

Timeline

• 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

• improving socio-economic development and good governance, leading to sustainable and inclusive economic growth;
• improving the well-being and health of people;
• providing quality education;
• protection of human rights;
• improving administrative capacity;
• affirmation of the reputation and international prestige of the Republic of Bulgaria.

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

• state institutions;
• municipalities;
• hospitals, polyclinics, health centers and their employees;
• NGOs;
• educational institutions;
• pupils and students (including people with special needs and disadvantaged people);
• teachers and administrative staff of schools and universities;
• employees of the state and local administration;
• people with disabilities, disadvantaged people or representatives of other vulnerable groups.

Eligibility Criteria

• Primary and secondary budget spenders – legal entities of Montenegro;
• International and local non-governmental organizations;
• Municipalities and their associations;
• Educational, health and social institutions;
• International humanitarian organisations;
• Other organizations or entities who do not hold political aims or have political participation and are not commercial by nature.

For more information, visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.