Deadline: 22-Apr-24
The European Union Program – Confidence Building Measures (EU-CBM VI), implemented by UNDP in Moldova, announces the launch of a new grant competition “Strengthening the capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to improve the private sector.” NGOs working on private sector development (e.g. business support organizations, industry business associations, chambers of commerce and industry, trade unions, etc.) will strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to promote favorable policies for MSMEs, and provide quality business development services on both banks of the Dniester River.
Scope
- Through this activity in EU-CBM 6th phase, business support organizations from two banks of the river Nistru will be supported in their intention to implement activities that would contribute to the competitiveness enhancement of the business environment on both banks of the Nistru river.
- Cross-river, common projects create conditions for all business actors to adapt to new working realities and equip vulnerable and underprivileged groups with employment skills, to allow a just transition and fair-trade competitions rules in the accelerated process where the Republic of Moldova has become a candidate country for EU accession and is quickly aligning it’s legislative and normative framework.
- Two grants will be awarded for two organizations that would strengthen the collaborative relationships with academia, industry, government, civil society, and/or private sector to address actual challenges and promote future-proof ‘green’ business models or trade facilitation solutions for business environment competitiveness enhancement on both banks of the river Nistru.
- As women, youth, active elders, refugees, or workers in the agricultural sector, are particularly hit by the multiple crises, they will be the target groups, but also final beneficiaries of the development services provided by winning organizations. Hence, the proposed projects by the applicant organizations should be in support to businesses owned or actively employing the vulnerable groups mentioned above.
Funding Information
- Each of the 2 (two) successful organizations can rely on a non-refundable financial support not exceeding 40,000 USD per project (to be awarded in equivalent MDL amount, calculated on the UNORE exchange rate at signature). If budgets of two proposed projects will be significantly below 40,000 USD one additional application could be awarded, subject of funds availability.
Timeframe
- Applications to be submitted under this call shall include activities to be implemented in a timeframe of up to 15 months after the grant agreement will be awarded.
Eligibility Criteria
- Cross-river partnerships consisting of at least one main BSO and other associations, NGOs with private sector development portfolio or relevant business advisory services company, from both banks of the river Nistru. The lead partner can be only the non-governmental or not-for-profit organization that will legally be responsible for the implementation of the low value grant agreement with its partner organization from the opposite bank of the river Nistru and if applicable – the involvement of the private sector (big companies) other stakeholders (i.e. local professional schools, the LPAs, network of youth centers, academia, other business associations and NGOs, producer unions, employers’ associations, chambers of commerce, non-commercial partnerships, etc.).
- Organizations directly involved in carrying out activities related to the areas stipulated in the project proposal, these being responsible for project management, avoiding intermediaries for their implementation. At least one of the partners will have sufficient experience in carrying out similar activities in the transnistrian region, in accordance with the objectives set out in the project proposal;
- Legal entities, which at the time of submission of the project proposal do not have debts or arrears in the payment of taxes, fees, and fines.
- Organizations not having benefited from EU-CBM Programme earlier support will be encouraged to apply.
Ineligible
- Organizations responsible for serious management errors, including financial ones, in projects previously implemented for the benefit of UNDP Moldova;
- In the past, they have not fulfilled their contractual obligations according to the arrangements established with the donor organizations;
- The lead partner cannot represent an entity owned by the State and / or a commercial one.
For more information, visit UNDP.