Deadline: 30-May-23
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria through the Embassy / Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of North Macedonia announces a procedure for the acceptance and selection of proposals for projects to be implemented with a grant through the Official Development Assistance of the Republic of Bulgaria, with an initial implementation period in 2023.
Priority Areas
Priority Areas for Project Implementation on the territory of Republic of North Macedonia:
- Affirmation of democratic values, freedom of speech and human rights in the context of the pursuit of European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia
- Support for European integration measures in the context of improving the business environment and better economic development, connectivity between people and organizations, small and medium-sized businesses
- Capacity building in support of security and development, including through support for good governance and civil society building;
- Preservation of cultural diversity and development of cultural and educational cooperation;
- Protection of children’s rights and care for people with disabilities and disadvantages;
- Improving the quality of education and improving school infrastructure;
- Support for providing universal health coverage and access to quality health services;
- Actions to protect the environment and combat climate change;
- Supporting the development and renewal of local infrastructure;
Objectives
- Promoting cohesion in all areas, including working with young people, strengthening good neighbourly relations, regional stability and mutual cooperation, cooperation in the field of culture and social policy;
- Stimulating and supporting the building of the administrative capacity of the Republic of North Macedonia in order to strengthen the law and democratic governance;
- Improving the quality of education in schools on the territory of the country through the equipment with technical means of halls and offices for specialized training in various disciplines, improving the building stock and adjacent infrastructure through repairs and installation of new installations, interior repairs, etc.;
- Providing better health care through repair and reconstruction of health facilities, as well as equipment with modern computer and specialized equipment;
- Improving the working conditions and promoting the activities of creative teams and sports teams in the Republic of Northern Macedonia through equipment with modern technical means, musical instruments, sports equipment, repair and reconstruction of buildings, etc.;
- Affirmation of democratic values, freedom of speech and human rights in the context of the pursuit of European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Funding Information
- Minimal amount of the project is 10 000 BGN.
- Recommended maximum amount of the project is:
- for projects with main purpose to deliver goods and /or services – up to 100 000 BGN;
- for projects with main purpose to carry out repairs and /or construction activities – from 70 000 BGN up to 270 000 BGN.
- Duration
- Project proposals must include an indicative start date for project implementation after January 15, 2024 and no later than November 30, 2024.
- Projects must be completed no later than December 31, 2026.
Outputs
- Affirmation of the Republic of Bulgaria’s reputation and international prestige;
- Improving the socio-economic development;
- Improving management;
- Reducing poverty and increasing welfare;
- Deepening the interaction between the institutions at central, regional and local level;
- Improving the quality of the educational system;
- Improving the quality of health services.
Eligible Activities
- Development of new/updating existing training modules
- Capacity building activities /organizing and conducting trainings in areas of interest of the administration/institutions of the partner country
- Conducting trainings on specific topics in Bulgarian institutions to exchange good practices and increase the qualification of employees from the administration of the partner country
- Organization and holding of seminars, forums, conferences
- Research and strategy development
- Activities to raise awareness of citizens’ rights
- Activities to promote multicultural dialogue and to limit racism, xenophobia, hate speech, discrimination and intolerance in society
- Activities to improve dialogue between non-governmental organizations and local, regional and national authorities
- Activities related to improving the quality of social infrastructure (educational/health) ex.: Delivery of equipment and materials for state or municipal property – schools, hospitals, kindergardens, homes for elderly, etc.; Construction and repair works to improve the condition of state or municipal property – schools, hospitals, kindergartens, homes for elderly, etc.
Target Groups
- Disadvantaged children;
- Young people and youth organizations
- Civil associations and organizations
- Socially vulnerable groups;
- Local population in towns and villages;
- State and local administration, with as many people as possible to whom the result of the implemented projects will be available.
Eligibility Criteria
- Primary and secondary budget spenders – legal entities of the Republic of North Macedonia;
- International and local non-governmental organizations;
- Municipalities and their associations;
- Educational, health and social institutions;
- International humanitarian organisations;
- Others
- As priority candidates in the procedure for 2024 will be considered:
- Beneficiaries whose projects from previous years have been completed within the term of the contract/annex and with final reports approved by the MFA.
- Beneficiaries who have submitted interim reports on projects from previous years in the term of the contract/annex (this does not apply to projects financed and implemented for 2023)
- Applicants with a sustainable project history of at least 2 years.
- Applicants may not submit more than 2 project proposal under this call for proposals. In the event that an applicant submits more than 2 project proposals, all of their submitted project proposals will be excluded from subsequent evaluation.
For more information, visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.