CFPs: Strengthening CSOs as actors of Governance and Development in their own Right (Papua New Guinea)

Deadline: 24-May-24
The European commission invites applications for “Strengthening the Role of CSOs as independent actors of governance and development in their own right” programme to contribute to an inclusive, participatory, empowered and independent civil society and democratic space.

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are vital to the attainment of human rights, the rule of law, accountability, democracy, peace and stability, including improving people’s livelihoods and the capacities of smallholder producers and women’s economic situation in EU’s partner countries.  Furthermore, CSOs are also vital actors in women’s leadership and economic empowerment. CSOs are key partners in devising and implementing policies and programmes that meet people’s needs, including humanitarian needs, reduce inequalities, helping people realise their rights, deliver inclusive services and fulfil the commitment of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind.

Complementing the ongoing actions implemented under the Multiannual Indicative Plan (MIP) 2021-2027 and the previous CfP, this Call for Proposals focuses on the areas of agricultural rural development programme and women’s leadership and economic empowerment.

Objectives of the Programme and Priority Issues

This Call for Proposals has two (2) lots:

• Lot 1- Agricultural Rural Development Programme
  • The specific objective(s) of Lot 1 is to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the smallholder dominated agricultural sector to meet the standards set by the international regulation, such as the international agri-food safety standards or the EU Deforestation Regulation (a.k.a. EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products).
  • The priority(ies) of Lot 1 are:
    • Actions that help the farmers in staying abreast of the rules and requirements pertaining to particular markets and supply chains and understanding the main rules to respect in every aspect of farming, including storage, transport and sale.
    • Actions that promote the association of farmers to increase the consistency of quality levels in the production, facilitate the access to markets and technologies, and favour the economies of scale.
    • Actions that facilitate and coordinate the adoption of protocols and certifications, as the Organic Certification, able to ensure the standard compliance and the possibility to generate premium profits.
    • Certifications targeting farmers’ groups should be promoted.
    • Actions that facilitate the access to agricultural technology to collect data needed for ensuring traceability and controls.
    • Actions that facilitate the access to digital products and credit instruments.
    • Actions strengthening the capacity of women agricultural groups.
    • Actions that aim to increase the participation of women in the relevant value chains and their economic profits.
• Lot 2: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Leadership
  • The specific objective of Lot 2 is to increase women’s access to skills development, entrepreneurial training, financial services, products and business leadership.
  • The priority priority(ies) of Lot 2 are:
    • Actions that provide access to skills development and capacity building, entrepreneurial training, financial literacy, financial services and products, productive resources and livelihood services for women;
    • Actions that are increasing women’s leadership and management skills;
    • Actions that promote women’s leadership roles in economic sector;
    • Actions that are addressing barriers preventing women from market access, investment, business development and leadership in business;
    • Actions that are challenging gender norms regarding leadership to enhance women’s access to leadership positions;
    • Actions that support community business forums and inter-business partnership, dialogues and engagements by women entrepreneurs;

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 4,317,500. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.
• Indicative allocation of funds by lot:
  • Lot 1 – Agricultural Rural Development Programme EUR 2,680,000
  • Lot 2 – Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment EUR 1,637,500
• Size of grants
  • Lot 1 – Agricultural Rural Development Programme
    • minimum amount: EUR 680,000
    • maximum amount: EUR 2,000,000
    • Any grant requested under this lot must fall between the following minimum and maximum percentages of total eligible costs of the action:
      • Minimum percentage: 50% of the total eligible costs of the action.
      • Maximum percentage: 90% of the total eligible costs of the action.
  • Lot 2 – Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment 
    • minimum amount: EUR 500.000
    • maximum amount: EUR 818.750
    • Any grant requested under this lot must fall between the following minimum and maximum percentages of total eligible costs of the action:
      • Minimum percentage: 50% of the total eligible costs of the action.
      • Maximum percentage: 95% of the total eligible costs of the action.
• Duration
  • Lot 1 and Lot 2: The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 30 months nor exceed 36 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• Lead applicant
  • For Lot 1:
    • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
      • be a legal person and
      • be non-profit-making and
      • be a non-governmental organisation or international (inter-governmental) organization as defined by Article 156 of the EU Financial Regulation and
      • by derogation to the rules, non-governmental organizations registered in all countries are eligible to apply. In this case where the lead applicant is established in another country other than Papua New Guinea, project proposals should be based on local initiatives and genuine involvement of CSOs from partner country should be ensured at all stages. The lead applicant must demonstrate significant experience in working in Papua New Guinea and have active working relationships with PNG based CSOs.
      • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.
  • For lot 2
    • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
      • be a legal person and
      • be non-profit-making and
      • be a non-governmental organisation as defined by Article 156 of the EU Financial Regulation and
      • without prejudice to the limitations inherent to the nature and objectives of the action, all countries are eligible for participation in contracts financed under these programmes and actions that are fully untied (i.e open without limitations).
      • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity (ies), not acting as an intermediary.
• Co-applicant(s)
  • Co-applicants participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the lead applicant.
  • Co-applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria as applicable to the lead applicant himself.
• Affiliated entities
  • The lead applicant and its co-applicant(s) may act with affiliated entity(ies).

For more information, visit European Commission.