Deadline: 15-Feb-22
The Bodossaki Foundation, in consortium with SolidarityNow, acting as the Fund Operator (FO) for the EEA Grants Programme “Active Citizens Fund” in Greece (ACF), has announced the present open call for Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs’) project proposals for organisational grants to support their institutional development.
The overall objective of the Programme is the strengthening of civil society and active citizenship and the empowerment of vulnerable groups. This objective is based on the common values of respect of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights including rights of persons belonging to minorities.
The aim of this open call is to support the institutional development of civil society organisations (CSOs) through the provision of organisational grants to finance the general activities of organisations, based on their own multi-annual strategic plans/ workplans.
Funding Information
The maximum grant amount under this call is €150,000 and the minimum grant amount is €80,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are NGOs (CSOs) that are established in Greece and which fall within the following definition:
- “A non-profit voluntary organisation established as a legal entity, having a noncommercial purpose, independent of local, regional and central government, public entities, political parties and commercial organisations. Religious institutions and political parties are not considered NGOs”. Eligible applicants shall abide by the principles of democratic values and human rights.
- More specifically, eligible candidates must meet the following general conditions:
- Are non-profit organisations that have not been created nor operate to generate personal profit. Although they may have paid staff and may engage in revenue-generating activities, they do not distribute profits to their members nor to their board. Where revenue-generating activities are undertaken, these should not represent the purpose of the NGO but should be solely a means to support its mission and values;
- Have members who do not have any direct commercial interest in the outcome of the work of the organisations or of its commercial activities and should not pursue the commercial or professional interests of their members. This requirement therefore excludes trade and professional associations, where the aims and purposes of the association are to further the specific interests of its members only;
- Are voluntary in nature, formed voluntarily by groups or individuals and usually involving an element of voluntary participation in the organisation;
- Act in the public arena and for the public good on concerns and issues related to the well-being of people, groups or society as a whole;
- Have some degree of formal or institutional existence, unlike informal or ad hoc groups, involving formal statutes or other governing document(s) defining their mission, objectives and scope;
- Have transparent structures and an elected chair / board, and are accountable to their members and donors;
- Are independent of local, regional and national government and other public authorities,
- Are independent of political parties and commercial organisations.
- Political parties and religious organisations, social partners or profit-distributing cooperatives are not considered NGOs and are not eligible.
- Social enterprises are not considered NGOs and are not eligible.
- Foundations and faith-based organisations are considered eligible NGOs as long as they fulfill the requirements.
For more information, visit https://www.activecitizensfund.gr/en/open-call/organisational-grants-to-support-the-institutional-development-of-civil-society/