The NGO Fund is part of the support given to Romania through the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism by the three EEA-European Free Trade Agreement states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Financial Mechanism aims to reduce social and economic disparities and to enable all EEA countries to participate fully in the Internal Market.

The NGO Fund - Aim and objective The NGO fund is established to ensure participation of civil society organisations in the reduction of economic and social disparities within the EEA (and in this case, in Romania in particular). NGO Fund Objective: to strengthen civil society in Romania by supporting projects under five thematic areas.

The NGO Fund – thematic areas 1. Consolidating democracy 2. Children and youth - Opportunities for community involvement 3. An inclusive society - Social inclusion and access to social services 4. Environment 5. Cultural heritage

The NGO Fund – Eligible applicants Non-governmental organisations as defined by EEA EFTA are: Legal entities established under the legal system of Romania (e.g. foundations, associations, societies); self-governing organisations not subject to direction by public authorities, independent of political control social partners (employers organisations and trade unions); Other types of independent organisations enjoying a specific legal status (e.g. professional organisations, Red Cross societies, etc). The definition does not include political parties and churches.

The NGO Fund – Applicants & partners Applicants Only NGOs registered in Romania can be an applicant for a grant. Partners Projects may involve partners - NGOs and other types of not-for-profit entities (such as local authorities, public institutions, etc.), participation justifiable by the aims of the NGO project. - from Romania and relevant organisations from other countries (whether from the EEA EFTA states Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, or other EU member states).

The NGO Fund – Projects & co-financing Projects Part of the NGO project may be dedicated to the institutional development of the end-recipient. Co-financing The grant rate of financial assistance to the end- recipients will be of up to 90% of eligible project costs. The end-recipients are expected to contribute 10% from their own resources or from other funding.

The NGO Fund – Budget allocations (Euro) 1. Consolidating democracy Youth and children – opportunities for participation in community life An inclusive society Environment protection Macro grants Small grants Cultural heritage Macro grants Small grants

The NGO Fund – Duration and calls for projects NGO Fund Duration – June 2008 – April 2011 Two calls for projects Call 1 - to be launched in July 2008 – with a budget allocation of 40% Call 2 - to be launched in 2009 with a budget allocation of 60% Projects duration Maximum November 2010

The NGO Fund – Operator and partners Civil Society Development Foundation Overall management and management of macro grant schemes Environmental Partnership Foundation – management of small grants scheme for environment Fund for the Development of Carpathian Euroregion management of small grants scheme for cultural heritage

The NGO Fund – Size of grants For Call 1 1.Consolidating democracy - maximum Euro 2. Children and youth - opportunities for community involvement - maximum Euro 3. An inclusive society - Social inclusion and access to social services - maximum Euro 4. Environment - Two types of grants Large grants - Minimum – maximum Small grants - Minimum – maximum Cultural heritage - Two types of grants Large grants - Minimum – maximum Small grants - Minimum – maximum

The NGO Fund – What next? July formal launch July – September – info sessions around the country and Q&As End of September October - deadlines January contracting

Contacts Fundatia pentru Dezvoltarea Societatii Civile Tel , Fax Good luck!