The European PROGRES development programme published a Call for Proposals (CfP) for provision of grants to civil society organisations (CSOs) aiming to improve the position of the Roma community. The grants are to be used to initiate and implement measures in the field of education, employment, social protection, healthcare and security, which should contribute to the social inclusion of Roma individuals. The European Union and the Government of Switzerland have earmarked 150,000 Euros for this activity.
Organizations eligible to apply for this Call for Proposals will include Roma and other civil society organizations, as well as Roma associations, with proven track-record in implementing Roma-related projects. Organizations and associations have to be registered in one of the 34 local self-governments covered by the Programme, or based outside the listed municipalities but in mandatory partnerships with related organizations in one of the 34 Programme municipalities.
"Through this Call, the European Union and the Government of Switzerland support the Roma community in Serbia to take active part in piloting and implementing measures for social inclusion of the Roma. We have recognized and will support the potential of the Roma community to make breakthroughs in the process of its integration into society and thus improve its status," said Graeme Tyndall, European PROGRES Programme Manager.
Each organization is allowed to submit only one project proposal, and each applicant may be awarded only one grant in the amount which may not be lower than 2,000 Euros and higher than 10,000 Euros in the dinar equivalent. The funds will be approved only for project proposals related to the objectives set out in the Strategy for Social Inclusion of the Roma, and to the specific measures envisaged within the framework of those objectives and the Call.
"The evaluation of projects is a competitive process that will be conducted in two stages. The first stage involves the submission of project concept notes, while at the second stage, applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to attend a training program through which we want to strengthen their capacities for the implementation of selected measures aimed at improving the socio-economic position of the Roma at the local level," said Ana Nedeljković, Manager of the European PROGRES Good Governance and Social Inclusion Sector.
Only those civil society organizations that successfully complete the training program will be eligible to apply with full-fledged project proposals.
With a view to raising awareness about the requirements of the Call for Proposals, in May 2016 European PROGRES will hold information sessions for all interested organizations in Southeast and Southwest Serbia.
The Call for Proposals will be open until 4 July 2016. For more information about the Call as well as a detailed list of documentation necessary to apply please visit the website of the European PROGRES http://www.europeanprogres.org/pozivi/en/ .
