Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy (North Macedonia)

Deadline: 22-Apr-24

The Delegation of the European Union to North Macedonia launches a call for proposals under the Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy, the successor of the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

This thematic program is aligned with the priorities of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy as well as with the Multi-annual indicative programming for the Thematic Program on Human Rights and Democracy.

The 2023 North Macedonia Country Report notes that the legal framework on the protection of fundamental rights is largely in line with European standards, however numerous challenges remain to be addressed, including recommendations of European and international human rights bodies.The European Commission acknowledges the role of civil society organisations playing the role of watchdog and for their participation in the decision-making process on key laws, including the laws on prevention and protection against discrimination and on prevention and protection against violence against women and domestic violence. The civil society organisations significantly contributed to ensuring the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially with respect to assistance provided to the most vulnerable categories.

Objectives and Priority Issues

• The global objective of this call for proposals is the promotion and protection of:
  • human rights and fundamental freedoms;
  • democracy;
  • the rule of law in North Macedonia.
• The specific objective(s) of this call for proposals are:
  • Advancement of rule of law and democratic institutions;
  • Protecting and empowering individuals; and
  • Safeguarding freedom fundamentals, including harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of new technologies.
• The priorities of this call for proposals are:
  • To support capacity building for investigative journalism and its mainstreaming within editorial departments, with a focus on promotion and protection of human rights, access to information, fight against disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and cyber threats;
  • To provide and improve services directed towards vulnerable and marginalized groups, nonmajority communities, inmates in correctional facilities and migrants, with an aim to enhance social justice and strengthen local CSO networks engaged in these areas;
  • To advocate and promote sustainable solutions for non-discrimination and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, as well as women and girls, with a view to eliminating inequalities, hate speech, and stigmatization, and promoting gender sensitive education;
  • To undertake advocacy, awareness raising, civic education and pilot projects on the rights to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, in particular, in relation to air and water pollution or climate change impacts;
  • To advocate and promote protection of child rights, with focus on juvenile justice.
  • To support and promote use of green energy, alternative energy sources and circular economy, with emphasis on reduction of pollution and environmental protection.

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 890,000 from the budget 2023 and EUR 510,000 under the budget 2024. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.
• Size of grants:
  • Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
    • minimum amount: EUR 90,000
    • maximum amount: EUR 150,000.
  • Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum percentages of total eligible costs of the action:
    • Minimum percentage: 60% of the total eligible costs of the action.
    • Maximum percentage: 90% of the total eligible costs of the action
  • The balance (ie the difference between the total cost of the action and the amount requested from the contracting authority) must be financed from sources other than the general budget of the Union or the European Development Fund.

Eligibility Criteria

• Lead applicant
  • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
    • be a legal person and
    • be non-profit-making and
    • be a specific type of organization such as: civil society organizations and
    • be established in the Republic of North Macedonia at least two (2) years before this call is launched and
    • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.
• Co-applicant(s)
  • Co-applicants participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the lead applicant.
  • Co-applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria as applicable to the lead applicant himself.
  • If awarded the grant contract, the co-applicant(s) (if any) will become beneficiary(ies) in the action (together with the coordinator).
• In addition, please note that contracts cannot be awarded to or signed with applicants included in the lists of EU restrictive measures.

For more information, visit European Commission.