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MATRA and Human Rights Fund – Kosovo

Deadline: 15-Dec-23

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pristina eagerly invites non-governmental organizations registered in Kosovo to submit project proposals for the MATRA & Human Rights Fund.

MATRA stands for maatschappelijke transformatie, meaning ‘social transformation’ aiming to enact societies in which fundamental freedoms are guaranteed. The MATRA Fund is part of their support to current, and potential, EU candidate countries and supplements the European Commission’s efforts and aims to help countries strengthen democracy and the rule of law, thus enhance stability.

The Human rights are the foundation of democracy and ensure that every person counts and is protected.  The Netherlands strives to protect and promote human rights all over the world. The Human Rights Fund therefore supports organisations with similar goals.

The government of the Netherlands attaches particular importance to these Funds, as it aims to reinforce and promote shared European values – values that connect European countries, bridging their cultural diversity. A strong and pluralist democracy under the rule of law, stable democratic processes and good governance are part of these values and of the agenda for Europe. The Embassy in Pristina is looking forward to jointly endorse these principles and receiving your organizations’ ideas to achieve this.

The Embassy in Pristina works on the basis of the following mission:

  • They strive for the Euro-Atlantic integration of a safe, prosperous, inclusive and democratic Kosovo that provides equal opportunities for its citizens as this forms the best guarantee for a mutual beneficiary relation with the Netherlands and the European Union.
Preference is given to proposals that:
  • Use innovative ways to tackle issues (involve the private sector, use a broad coalition that share a common concern, make use of digital tools, have a clear media strategy);
  • Are gender sensitive;
  • Are risk aware and realistic;
  • Are inclusive and create equal access to project results for all groups in society. In this sense they encourage organisations to set up activities in areas where needs are higher, e.g. activities outside the capital or within underrepresented communities;
  • Are sustainable in nature, and aim for sustainable improvements;
  • Are cost sensitive, whenever possible seek in kind contributions, use alliances with the business community, work with volunteers etc.
Funding Information
  • EUR 100.000 per project is the maximum support.
Eligible Projects
  • The MATRA and HR Funds support demand-driven initiatives. Project proposals have to be in line with their policy priorities and the mission statement. To be eligible for support, projects must promote the process of transformation in the following areas:
    • Promoting Rule of Law and strengthening transparency and accountability of public and justice institutions;
    • Promoting the European Integration agenda;
    • Promoting reconciliation between communities via civic engagement and supporting efforts on the internal dialogue;
    • Preventing radicalization and violent extremism;
    • Increasing cyber security capacities;
    • Strengthening the LGBTI+ community, media freedom and women’s rights.
Ineligible
  • Humanitarian aid;
  • Commercial activities;
  • Business registered organisations;
  • Projects with a predominantly academic focus, i.e. feasibility studies, research etc.;
  • Projects that exclusively or largely include the delivery of goods or materials;
  • Infrastructural or construction projects;
  • Scholarships or education programmes.
Requirements
  • Applications are only taken into consideration when the Embassy provided formats are used;
  • Provide a short video (of maximum 1 minute) with the application in which you tell them why they need to support your project and how you make sure that results translate into sustainable impact;
  • Applications must be relevant to the specific MATRA objectives as highlighted above;
  • The project needs to reinvigorate the local ownership of the issue that forms the business case/reason for the project;
  • The applicant should contribute to the project (financial or in kind). This needs to be specified clearly in the activities and budget overview;
  • The applicant preferably has a yearly turnover of a minimum of EUR 100.000 for at least three consecutive years. In case your organization does not meet this criteria, they encourage partnerships with organizations that do;
  • The project has a maximum duration of 24 months;
  • If other donors are involved, you need to specify this in the application and budget forms. It needs to be clear which donor contribution goes to the different activities;
  • Beneficiary organisations need to provide a statement in which they underline their commitment to this project.

For more information, visit Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kosovo.