Deadline: 4-Dec-22
The Open Estonia Foundation announces a competition for small projects of non -governmental organizations, the goal of which is greater capacity and sustainability of non-governmental organizations.
The competition aims to promote the capacity and long-term sustainability of non-governmental organizations with the aim of strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations in introducing democratic values and practices, involving citizens in policy-making and promoting cooperation with the private and public sector. Greater transparency of NGOs, ability to involve local communities and stand up for their interests, as well as awareness of the role of NGOs in carrying out social changes are also supported.
Program Goals
ACF’s overall goal is to strengthen civil society and increase civic engagement and empowerment of vulnerable groups. Projects financed through the program must contribute to achieving the following results :
- Stronger democratic culture and greater civic awareness;
- Broader support for human rights and equal treatment;
- Greater influence of vulnerable groups;
- Greater capacity and sustainability of freedom.
Areas
Non -governmental organizations operating in the public interest , which are active in the following areas, can apply for support:
- democracy, civic engagement, good governance and transparency;
- ensuring human rights and equal treatment, combating discrimination based on race or ethnic origin, religion or worldview, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity;
- social justice and inclusion of vulnerable groups;
- gender equality and gender-based violence;
- environment and climate change.
Funding Information
The requested grant must be between 10,000-20,000 EUR and the duration of the project period is 12-14 months. The project can start from March 2023 and the project must be completed by April 30, 2024. The budget for the application round is EUR 329,860, of which EUR 229,860 is intended for NGOs operating nationwide and EUR 100,000 for NGOs operating at the local level.
Eligibile Activities
Projects promoting the ability of non-governmental organizations to act are invited to the competition, the focus of which is, for example:
- development of transparency and accountability of non-governmental organizations’ activities;
- enhancing the management of non-governmental organizations;
- bringing new knowledge, skills and people into the activities of the free community;
- development of cooperation networks of non-governmental organizations;
- learning from each other and sharing experiences, e.g. mentoring;
- development of impact assessment of one’s activities;
- developing partnerships with other sectors;
- activities to increase the financial capacity of the NGO, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants for ACF are non-profit organizations registered in Estonia (established on the basis of the Non-Profit Associations Act) and foundations (established on the basis of the Foundations Act), are non-governmental organizations and meet the requirements:
- are non-profit and not established for personal gain. Although they may have their own employees and generate income, this income is not shared with their members or council members. Earning income cannot be the purpose of the association, but supports the promotion of the objectives and values of the association.
- the association does not pursue the commercial or professional interests of its members. Therefore, trade and professional associations whose aim is narrowly to promote the interests of their members are not eligible for assistance;
- are based on voluntarism, i.e. leadership of formed groups or individuals on the basis of voluntarism, and participation in the activity is voluntary;
- act publicly and in the name of the public good, targeting problems and issues related to the well-being of people, groups or society as a whole;
- their activities are to some extent institutionalized (in contrast to informal and ad hoc groups), including statutes and other documents regulating the activities of the association, which define their goals and areas of activity;
- their operations and structure are transparent and accountable to their members and donors.
- are independent from local, regional and central government and other public sector institutions;
- are independent of political parties and companies. Non-governmental organizations do not include political parties, religious institutions, social partners and profit-sharing cooperatives.
For more information, visit https://acf.ee/uudised/artikkel/uus-avaneb-aktiivsete-kodanike-fondi-viimane-taotlusvoor-vaikeprojektidele-vabauhenduste-tegutsemisvoimekuse-suurendamiseks