Deadline: 12-Jun-23
The Kosovo Foundation for Open Society is pleased to announce the call for project proposals from non-governmental organizations in three areas: EU Integration and Regional Cooperation, Just Green Transition, and Digital Transformation.
Objectives
- Through this call, the Foundation aims to support efforts made towards Kosovo’s EU integration path, improved regional cooperation with other countries in the region, and the green and digital transitions.
- This call aims to support civil society organizations to participate in decision-making processes, advocate for reform, and seek accountability from governments and other stakeholders while supporting collaboration among actors from Kosovo and the region. Through this grantmaking scheme the Foundation aims to support projects that promote or assist Kosovo’s EU integration efforts, including improved cooperation with other countries in the region, facilitate a shift towards renewable energy in Kosovo and support the green transition, and finally innovative initiatives and actions that prepare for and support the country’s digital transformation.
- To achieve these objectives, the Foundation financially supports civil society organizations to implement research and advocacy projects that are directly related to the narrower goals of each program.
Priority Program Areas
- EU integration and regional cooperation
- As a region, the Western Balkans has made significant progress in its efforts towards EU integration, despite the process being mired by slow reforms, political obstacles, and more recently, enlargement fatigue within the EU. Nevertheless, for the region EU membership remains an aspirational project, propelling the countries in the region towards improvement and development. In Kosovo, the aspiration to join the EU continues to hold sway in the public imagination, with the general population being overwhelmingly in favor of joining the EU. In late 2022, Kosovo applied for candidate status, affirming once more the country’s aspirations to one day join the European bloc as a full member.
- Civil society organizations play a key role in supporting reform, monitoring implementation and advocating for policy change within the country. As a result, the Foundation is looking for project proposals that promote and support EU integration and regional integration by fostering dialogue, enhancing economic development and cooperation, strengthening institutions and addressing political issues related to the EU within the region that either directly or inadvertently hinder the enlargement process.
- Projects that include cooperation with other civil society organisations from the region are welcome but are not a precondition for eligibility under this call.
- Just Energy Transition
- Dependent on coal-fuelled power plants, Kosovo faces significant challenges in its efforts to transition to a green energy economy. In 2020, together with the other countries in the region, Kosovo endorsed the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, which pledges the region to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Yet, Kosovo’s road to green energy transition and implementing other Green Agenda goals will be rocky.
- To address these obstacles and support Kosovo’s gradual transition, the Foundation is looking for project proposals that aim to research into and promote the utilization of renewable energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and support the development of distributive energy production (community owned solar energy production). Projects that showcase an innovative approach to either achieving or promoting the implementation of green agenda goals, or that promote innovative technologies, policy development, public awareness campaigns, and the creation of new jobs in the green energy sector are particularly welcome.
- Digital Transformation
- Since 2018, the countries in the region have endorsed the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, noting that digital transformation of the economies in the region will be essential for the countries’ development. But while digitalization is key for businesses, it is also crucial when itcomes to governments offering direct services, making them more transparent, accountable and inclusive.
- To support reforms that level-up the progress on digitalization and increase access to quality information, open data, and digital services, the Foundation is looking for project proposals that address Kosovo’s challenges in implementing the digital agenda, development of digital skills, promotion of digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship and innovation as well as projects that provide input to European debates on digital rights, privacy, artificial intelligence and novel technologies. Innovative approaches to knowledge sharing, information circulation and combatting disinformation are particularly welcome.
- In all three priority areas: Projects that include an intersectional approach, emphasizing youth and gender as horizontal issues, are particularly welcome.
Duration and Amount of Grants
- The duration of the project should be no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months. Projects can be scheduled to start from as early as July 2023.
- The maximum budget that can be requested under this call should not exceed the amount of 25,000 EUR. The Foundation reserves the right to award grants at its discretion and is not obligated to fund any applications received under the open call.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants eligible to apply are:
- all non-governmental organizations registered under applicable law in Kosovo. Applicants must state the status of the organization (association, foundation, or institute) and must include the names of all members of the organizational structure.
- Applicants who are not eligible to apply for this call are:
- Individuals;
- Political parties; and
- Organizations that aim to fund religious activities.
- The Foundation reserves the right to disqualify from this competition organization that have unclear management structures, or that do not have a clear division between decision-making and supervisory bodies and project implementation staff.
For more information, visit Kosovo Foundation for Open Society.