The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hereby announces a call for proposals under the grant scheme for the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia).

The Norwegian Government intends to intensify its efforts in the Western Balkans to contribute to lasting stability and democratic development. Project cooperation is an important component of these efforts.

This announcement does not apply to country-specific initiatives in Macedonia and Montenegro. However, these countries can take part in regional/cross-border cooperation.

The priorities for this grant scheme are set out in the Storting’s approval of the Ministry’s budget proposal (Prop. 1 S) on a yearly basis.

The purpose of Norwegian development assistance to the countries in the Western Balkans is the development of the rule of law and stability in the region. This support has four priorities:

• Closer regional cooperation, also including countries that are EU members;
• Reconciliation and implementation of transitional justice;
• Socio-economic development through enhanced economic growth and competitiveness, increased capacity in the field of environment/climate/energy, and increased social and economic inclusion of marginalised groups;
• Good governance through support for development of the rule of law, defence sector reform, civil society and the media, minorities, and the fight against organised crime and corruption.

The target group for this call for proposals is the population of the Western Balkans. Ethnic/national and other minorities, women, children and young people will be given special priority.

Country-specific priorities

Albania

Potential grant recipients: ministries and other national institutions in Albania, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other non-commercial actors, and international NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

Priority areas:

• Implementing justice sector reform. Priority will be given to the establishment of mediation arrangements and to capacity and competence building in the courts system and prosecuting authorities.
• European integration. Priority will be given to capacity and competence building in the public sector.
• Development of the maritime sector (support not available for physical infrastructure).
• Development of the energy and ICT sectors (support not available for physical infrastructure).

Bosnia and Hercegovina

Potential grant recipients: public institutions and organisations in Bosnia and Hercegovina, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), international NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

Priority areas:

• Peace and reconciliation
• Economic growth, innovation and job creation
• Strengthening the judicial system through capacity-building in the courts system and prosecuting authorities, prison system and police.
• Combating organised crime and corruption

Kosovo

Potential grant recipients: ministries and other national institutions in Kosovo, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other non-commercial actors, and international NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

Priority areas:

• Reconciliation and transitional justice
• European integration. Priority will be given to capacity and competence building in the public sector.
• Job creation and competitiveness. ICT and renewable energy will be given priority.
• Justice sector reform, independent control bodies and police.
• Combating organised crime and corruption.
• Promoting transparency and efficiency in the parliament and public institutions.
• Gender equality and non-discrimination.

Serbia

Potential grant recipients: ministries and other national institutions and intergovernmental organisations in Serbia.

Priority areas: Support for the EU accession process (priorities refer to negotiation chapters):

• Chapter 5 – Public procurement
• Chapter 8 – Competition policy
• Chapter 10 – Information society and media
• Chapter 19 – Social policy and employment
• Chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security
• Chapter 27 – Environment
• Regional and European integration

Regional/cross-border priorities (involving two or more countries)

Cross-border cooperation

Potential grant recipients: public institutions and organisations, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other non-commercial actors, and international NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

Priority areas:

• Reconciliation and transitional justice.
• Human rights, gender equality and non-discrimination.
• Freedom of speech.
• Combating organised crime and corruption.
• Cross-border cooperation based on the country specific priorities defined above.

Civil society programme for Albania and Kosovo

Potential grant recipients:local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other non-commercial actors, and international NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

Entities that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply to establish a civil society programme for Albania and Kosovo using a combination of grants for core activities of civil society organisations and grants for technical and administrative capacity building.

The purpose of the programme will be to build up a strong civil society in both Kosovo and Albania, with the following priority areas:

• Non-discrimination and gender equality
• Independent media
• Minorities and marginalised groups
• Environmental protection
• Youth employment

Specific allocation criteria for the civil society programme in Albania and Kosovo

• The activities of the civil society programme are restricted to Albania and Kosovo.
• The financial framework for the civil society programme is NOK 5 million for the first year, including administrative costs.
• The programme may run for up to three (3) years. Any extension beyond one year will be dependent on an allocation by the Storting and a positive assessment of the administrative efficiency of the programme.
• Support under the programme will be provided for one year at a time. The tentative date of the first call for proposals is 1 September 2018.
• The chosen partner organisation will draw up evaluations of the applications that are received and recommendations concerning support.
• Before the partner organisation enters into agreements with any applicants for grants for core activities or for technical and administrative support, the Norwegian Embassy in Pristina must confirm that it has no objections to the partner’s recommendations.
• Individual grants for will be in the range EUR 25 000 top EUR 100 000.

Applicants must be able to document that they meet the following eligibility criteria:

• experience in providing support both for core activities and for building up the technical and administrative capacity of civil society organisations;
• experience within the priority areas for the programme;
• experience of working in Albania and Kosovo; and
• annual turnover exceeding EUR 1 million for each of the past three years, or other documentation that the project is financially sound.

General allocation criteria

The purpose of the project must be consistent with the objective of the grant scheme.

Funding under this scheme is to comply with the OECD/DAC criteria for ODA (official development assistance). To be eligible to apply for support, the applicant must be a legal person. Priority will only exceptionally be given to grants of less than NOK 1 million.

There are four cross-cutting issues in Norwegian development policy

• human rights
• women’s rights and gender equality
• climate change and environment
• anti-corruption

Material risk factors that may have a negative impact on the four cross-cutting issues shall be identified, analysed and managed factors throughout the project cycle.

Priority will be given to the following types of projects:

• Projects that help the recipient country to meet EU or NATO requirements that are necessary for further Euro-Atlantic integration
• Projects that promote regional cooperation
• Projects that promote inclusion, the rights of ethnic minorities and other minority groups, as well as women, children and young people .

Performance and sustainability

• Importance will be attached to applicants’ insight into regional issues and their ability to document relevant qualifications and other expertise, including results from previous efforts.
• The project should be based on a sound understanding and analysis of gender issues. The application must discuss the balance between women and men in recruitment and training in connection with the project.
• The project should be aligned with the main priorities of the recipient country.
• There is a long-term perspective and continuity, and the project will be viable and able to continue without Norway’s support in a reasonable space of time.
• The project should enjoy strong local support. Applicants must be able to document that they have established close contact with a local cooperation partner or partners in the country in question.

Budget and financing

• Priority will be given to projects that are able to generate local or national involvement or funding. Applicants should consider how the project fits with other actors’ activities in the same field, and projects that have the potential to create synergies will be given priority
• Projects where the applicant can make an independent financial contribution will be given priority.
• Projects whose overheads exceed 7 % of the total budget will only receive support in exceptional cases, and applicants will be required to explain why this is necessary. In cases where Norway is represented on the board of the organisation, a board decision will carry considerable weight.

Funding will not be provided for:

• financing the export or import of goods or services
• operating costs beyond initial costs in the start-up phase
• establishing activities in Norway
• strategic and financial investments in business activities
• transport of relief supplies

The embassy in Belgrade is responsible for managing development assistance to Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, while the embassy in Pristina is responsible for Albania and Kosovo and the embassy in Sarajevo for Bosnia and Hercegovina. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages regional projects. Applicants must refer to the relevant national or regional priorities in their applications.

The Grants Portal must be used for all applications.

Applicants must be registered in advance to use the portal. Please note that it may take up to four weeks from registration to approval.

Enquiries:

Albania and Kosovo: Embassy in Pristina. Email:
Contact: Stein-Ivar Lothe Eide.

Bosnia and Hercegovina: Embassy in Sarajevo. Email:
Contact: Signe A. Engli.

Serbia: Embassy in Belgrade. Email:
Contact: Janne Knutrud.

Cross-border cooperation: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Section for South East Europe. Email:
Contact: Annette Bull.