Deadline: 25-Jun-25
The Save the Children Bhutan is inviting proposals from eligible Bhutanese CSOs and CBOs under the EU-funded FSTP Project: “Towards Empowering Bhutanese CSOs for Good Governance and Inclusive Development.”
The specific objective of the action is to enhance the enabling environment for CSOs and media, and increase structured participation in policy dialogue with decision-makers in Bhutan. The action is expected to result in increased capacity, access, and engagement opportunities for Bhutanese CSOs to influence legislative processes, public policies, and social development planning, and represent the voice of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.
The project also seeks to promote gender equality and ensure equitable access and participation of women and girls, men and boys, and individuals with diverse gender backgrounds in capacity building and engagement opportunities.
To support the achievement of the action’s objectives, one key strategy under this project is to provide Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP). The FSTP seeks to enhance the management and advocacy capacity of CSOs and CBOs, enabling them to effectively address social issues, engage in policy discussions, and support the implementation of sustainable business models.
Objectives
- The objectives of FSTP are to capacitates elected CSOs/CBOs to:
- Engage more effectively with the parliament and media,
- Advocate on cross cutting issues affecting disadvantaged and vulnerable groups,
- Help implement sustainable business models.
Themes
- In line with the objectives of FSTP, the proposals should primarily focus on at least one or two themes mentioned below:
- Enhancing engagement with parliament and media
- Advocacy on needs and priorities of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups
- Promoting public accountability and transparency
- Addressing cross- cutting issues such as gender and human rights
- Supporting the implementation of business models
- Building capacities of CSOs/CBOs
Funding Information
- For CSOs, the budget can range from a minimum of EUR 5,000 – 12500. CSOs may propose up to 10% of the total proposed budget as the Salary of the staff directly involved in implementing the action.
- For CBOs, including youth groups, the budget can range from a minimum of EUR 5,000 to 11,250. A nominal remuneration to the relevant person directly involved in implementing the action will be provided.
- The grant duration is for a maximum period of 12 months.
Eligible Costs
- Only those costs approved in the proposal.
- Expenses associated with services and Tasks pertaining to the activities endorsed in the proposal.
- Costs that is verifiable. This means that The costs are recorded in the accounting ledgers of the applicant using standard accounting procedures.
- ForCSOs,10%ofthetotalproposed budget may be costed for Salary (a Reasonable Level of Effort(LoE)) to facilitate the implementation of FSTP activities. The contract, pay slip, and timesheet are required as supporting documents.
Ineligible Costs
- Financial support to individuals, scholarships, religious activities, and loans for businesses will not be eligible.
- Overhead Expenses, Examples include rent, utilities, insurance, office supplies, legal and accounting fees, etc.
- Profit-generating projects, unless these are social enterprises where funds are ploughed back into the CSOs/CBOs
- Costs already covered by other projects.
- Taxes, unless approved in the proposal budget.
- Contributions in kind.
- Depreciation.
- Provisions for future liabilities.
- Debts and debt‐service charges.
- Any credits to third parties.
- Fines, financial penalties, and any litigation costs.
- Personal expenses.
- Any additional fees and charges from the applicant’s staff and management for services such as overtime, holiday pay, vacation pay, gift reimbursement,
Eligibility Criteria
- CSOs/CBOs that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity:
- Registered CSOs mainly working for disadvantaged & vulnerable groups.
- Active CBOs mainly working for disadvantaged &vulnerable groups.
- Applicants currently implementing EU grant.
- Demonstrate a tangible interest in contributing to the objective so the call.
- Present feasible solutions aimed at promoting CSO’s capacities and engagement in public policy development and advocacy.
- May 30, 2025 have prior experience engaging in issues of advocacy, evidence generation, action research/studies, capacity building, etc.
- Mission to promote sustainable development, civil society, and good governance.
For more information, visit Save the Children Bhutan.