EU-EIDHR 2016-2017: Supporting a Civil Society through Country-Based Support Schemes (CBSS)

Deadline: 29 May 2017

The European Union (EU) is currently accepting proposals from eligible organisations for a program entitled “European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) 2016-2017 Supporting a civil society through Country-Based Support Schemes (CBSS)” with an aim to support civil society organisations in their actions promoting and defending of human rights (political, civil, economic, social and cultural), as well as in the further democratisation of the society.

Thematic Priorities

• Address divisive political culture, build trust and inclusive democratic society;
• Improve access to justice to most vulnerable people of society in line with the 2030 Agenda “leave no one behind” approach;
• Address issues as listed in the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019) that are relevant for the country (LGBTI, anti-discrimination, economic and social rights);
• Prevent/counter violent extremism.

Size of Grants

Any grant requested under each of the thematic priorities must fall between EUR 100,000 and EUR 275,000.

Location              

Actions must take place in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Duration

The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 18 month nor exceed 24 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
  • be a legal person (individuals are not eligible, nor are informal alliance or initiatives without legal status) registered and operational at least two years before the call is launched and
  • be non-profit-making and
  • be a specific type of organisation such as: civil society organisations i.e. organisations considered as non-state, non-profit making actors operating on an independent and accountable basis. They include: non-governmental organisations, professional associations, employers’ associations and trade unions (social partners), chambers of commerce and any other non-governmental associations and independent foundations, and
  • be established in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or a Member State of the European Union or countries that are beneficiaries of the IPA II or partner countries and territories covered by ENI Instrument or countries of the European Economic Area  and
  • 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.
• The potential applicant may not participate in calls for proposals or be awarded grants if it is in any of the situations
• The lead applicant must declare that the lead applicant himself, the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies) are not in any of these situations.
• The lead applicant may act individually or with co-applicant(s). However, if the lead applicant is not established in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, it must act with co-applicant(s) as specified hereafter.
• If awarded the Grant contract, the applicant will become the beneficiary identified as the Coordinator. The Coordinator is the main interlocutor of the Contracting Authority. It represents and acts on behalf of any other co-beneficiary (if any) and coordinate the design and implementation of the Action.

How to Apply

• The application procedure consists of two phases:
  • Concept notes
  • Full applications
• In the first instance, only concept notes must be submitted for evaluation. Thereafter, lead applicants who have been pre-selected will be invited to submit a full application.

Eligible Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK, Republic of Macedonia.

For more information, please visit Europeaid and download the guidelines.