Announcement of opportunity to apply for grants for projects under chapter 164, Peace, reconciliation and democracy, item 71, ODA-approved Balkan countries

Subject to the Storting’s approval of the Government’s budget proposal for 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby announces an opportunity to apply for grants for peacebuilding and statebuilding projects in the Western Balkans.

The projects must be in line with the objectives of the grant scheme, as set out in the budget proposal (Proposition No. 1 (2009-2010) to the Storting), and the grant scheme rules.

The deadline for applications is 15 February. Applications received after 15 February will be considered in the second half of the year in so far as the budget allows.

As a rule, applications should be sent by email to: post@mfa.no with a copy to: s-vb@mfa.no. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs form S01 should normally be used for applications for grants under this scheme.

More information about application requirements can be found in the grant scheme rules, and in application form S01 and the accompanying instructions.

Priority areas in 2010 as set out in the budget proposal

Applicants should be aware that the Government has attached importance to supporting projects in the following areas:

• Good governance and institution-building, including reform of the defence, security and justice sectors
• Peace and reconciliation within and between countries in the region, and safeguarding minorities’ and other vulnerable groups’ rights
• Democracy and human rights, including gender equality
• Economic development and job creation through private sector development, research and innovation, and education services, with focus on women and young people
• Development of a sustainable energy sector where environmental and climate change considerations are taken into account

In addition, priority will be given to the following countries:

• Serbia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo
• Macedonia

In selecting priority areas, consideration is given to the priorities set in international organisations and forums, including the EU and the UN, as well as the priorities set in the individual recipient countries. The closer institutional links between the region and the EU, and the transfer of considerably increased funds from the EU to countries in the region, makes it particularly important to coordinate international assistance.

The Norwegian embassies in Zagreb, Sarajevo, Beograd, Pristina and Skopje administer their own funds for small-scale projects aimed at developing civil society. Applicants for projects in these countries with an annual budget of less than NOK 200 000 are referred to these embassies. See the embassies’ websites for any additional information on the application procedure and opportunities to apply for grants: www.norway.info.

Assistance for the government administration in Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia is to be channelled through Norway’s bilateral cooperation with these countries, and separate national application procedures are to be followed. Separate information is available about this.

Performance criteria

Applicants are referred to the requirements for applications and project performance, and the award criteria, set out in the scheme rules. The criteria (see chapter 3 in the rules) that apply for the particular priority areas set out in this year’s budget proposal are as follows:
 
Good governance and institution-building, including reform of the defence, security and justice sectors.

Projects should, within a reasonable space of time, enable the target group technically and administratively to take responsibility for the process/area in question, for example by:

• establishing new institutions
• implementing legislation
• training personnel

Peace and reconciliation within and between countries in the region, and safeguarding minorities’ and other vulnerable groups’ rights

Projects should promote dialogue and cooperation between population groups in areas that have previously been affected by conflict, for example by:

• establishing or increasing the use of joint services, e.g. health and education services
• building up documentation on and dealing with war crimes, including increasing the rate of prosecution of suspected of war criminals
• safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups through the development of legislation and the establishment of a supervisory body or ombudsman, advisory services and interest groups

Democracy and human rights, including gender equality

Projects should strengthen civil society organisations and the media, and help to make them sustainable and independent of foreign aid in the long run. Other relevant projects include efforts to ensure that European human rights standards are upheld and enforced under national legislation.

Economic development and job creation through development of the private sector, and research, innovation and education services, with focus on women and young people

Projects should promote private sector development and create jobs in the countries in the region, for example by:

• establishing relevant structures and institutions, developing legislation, and building capacity in the public and private sector with a view to improving conditions for business activities, and ensuring a more predictable investment climate
• establishing advisory and incubator services and other technical assistance for developing private sector activities
• establishing innovative communities for research, and product and service development
• establishing educational institutions that can ensure a workforce with relevant skills and competence

Applicants for grants for research and education projects should note that there will be a call for offers for relevant Norwegian higher education institutions to take over responsibility for administering efforts in this sector. With regard to private sector development and job creation projects, most of the funds are tied up in a programme portfolio that Norway has built up over many years. There will therefore be limited opportunities for supporting such efforts.

Development of a sustainable energy sector where environmental and climate change considerations are taken into account

Projects should help the public sector to develop, implement and apply relevant (EU/EEA) rules relating to energy, finance and the environment, and to establish the institutions needed for the development of energy projects that comply with international environment and climate requirements, for example by:

• building competence and capacity in relevant public bodies, including projects channelled through or in cooperation with international financial institutions such as the EBRD, the IFC and the Energy Community for Southeast Europe
• facilitating transfer of expertise and, if relevant, loan-based financing for energy-saving initiatives in the private sector, including efforts in cooperation with international financial institutions.

Further information

All enquires about the grant scheme should be sent to:

The Western Balkans Section, email: s-vb@mfa.no

The grant scheme rules, application form, etc. can be found at this website.