European Commission Open Call to Support CSOs in Côte d'Ivoire

Deadline: 3-May-23

The European Commission (EC) through its call for proposals is offering grants to strengthen the role of CSOs as actors of good governance.

Throughout the duration of the LIANE 2 project, the various forms of support (51 grants, 93 micro-initiatives, capacity building with 190 days of training) materialized a strong desire on the part of the European Union to translate the values of the Africa/Africa Alliance Europe in the daily life of small and medium-sized associations and collectives of Ivorian citizens.

In particular, the micro-initiatives constituted a concrete response which made it possible to contribute to meeting the needs of civil society and young Ivorians in their fundamental role as agents of change. The micro-initiatives focused, among other things, on issues of the environment, climate change, the fight against COVID-19, the empowerment of women as well as support for culture in its various manifestations.

Objective and Priorities

The general objective of this call for proposals is to contribute to the entrenchment of democracy and the culture of dialogue and peace in Côte d’Ivoire. This will be possible thanks to the effective participation of CSOs and, through them, of citizens, in the process of the political, economic, social and cultural life of the country.
The proposed action must take into account each of the following priorities:
- The action must contribute to increasing the role of CSOs on sustainable development issues in all its aspects, also in terms of advocacy;
- Action must devote particular attention to the place of women in socio-economic development by supporting their inclusion and empowerment, as well as to the prevention of violations of the human rights of women and girls;
- The action must also contribute to the inclusion in social life of people with disabilities, with particular attention to “invisible” barriers at local level;
- The action must strengthen the active participation of CSOs in the democratic decision-making process as well as the definition and monitoring of public policies.

Funding Information

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 3,850,000.
Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
- Minimum amount: EUR 3,850,000
- Maximum amount: EUR 3,850,000
Duration: The initial planned duration of an action may not be less than 36 months.

Expected Results

CSOs at different levels are known and listed with their strengths and weaknesses and possible synergies are identified;
The service offer of the Regional Civil Society Support Centers (CRASC) is improved and reinforced;
The effectiveness, competence and credibility of CSOs are enhanced by taking into account their diversity. Collective dynamics, at national and local level, will also be strengthened.

Location: The actions must be implemented in Côte d’Ivoire.

Eligibility Criteria

lead applicant(s)
- be a legal person
- have no profit motive
- belong to one of the following categories of organizations: non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations or associations and
- be established in a Member State of the European Union, or in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire or in an eligible country within the meaning of the Neighbourhood, Development Cooperation and International Cooperation Instrument
- be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and the affiliated entity(ies) and not act as an intermediary
- Possess specific experience in building the capacities of Organizations of the Civil Society (CSO) in Africa or more particularly in Côte d’Ivoire;
- Have an operational base in Côte d’Ivoire.
Co-applicant(s)
- Co-applicants take part in drawing up and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those borne by the lead applicant.
- Co-applicants must meet the same eligibility criteria as apply to the lead applicant itself.
- Co-applicants must sign the mandate form.
- If the grant is awarded to them, any co-applicants become beneficiaries within the framework of the action (with the coordinator).
Affiliated entities
- The lead applicant and its co-applicant(s) may act with one or more affiliated entities.
- Only the following entities can be considered affiliated to the lead applicant and/or co-applicant(s):
  - Only entities that have a structural link with the applicants (the lead applicant or a co-applicant), in particular a legal or capital link.
  - This structural link mainly encompasses two notions:
    - control, on annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings.
      - Entities affiliated with an applicant can therefore be:
        
        entities controlled directly or indirectly by the applicant (subsidiaries or first-tier subsidiaries) or controlled by an entity itself controlled by the applicant (sub-subsidiaries or second-tier subsidiaries). This is valid for the other control levels;
        
        entities directly or indirectly controlling the applicant (parent companies). Similarly, they may be entities controlling a company controlling the applicant;
        
        entities with the same level of direct or indirect control as the applicant (sister companies);
    - membership, i.e. the applicant is legally defined as, for example, a network, federation or association of which the proposed affiliated entity is a member, or the applicant is a member of the same entity (for example, a network, a federation or an association) than the proposed affiliated entity.