Deadline: 20 January 2020

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is seeking proposals for its MATRA for European Cooperation Embassy Program 2020.

The Matra Fund supplements the European Commission’s efforts and aims to help countries strengthen democracy and the rule of law, thus enhance stability.

Types of Project

The Matra Program is demand-driven. It supports initiatives of Albanian NGOs. The project support is aligned with their policy priorities. To be eligible for support, projects must promote the process of transformation in the following areas:

• Rule of Law
  • Proposal should be in line with the Cross-sector Justice Strategy (2017-2021) and its Action Plan, as well as the High Judicial Council’s Strategy and Action Plan. Overall, the project should focus on reforms that are part of the European Integration Agenda in the areas of Rule of Law and Justice Reform. It should contribute to advancing the justice system in Albania.
  • Specific topics that are of interest to this Embassy:
    • Support the enhancement of justice efficiency, accountability and professionalism through all the system’s institutions;
    • Monitoring of judicial and prosecutorial performance;
    • Awareness raising and increasing transparency for the general public on matters related to Rule of Law and Justice Reform.
• Anti-Corruption
  • Proposal should be in line with the Inter-Sectorial Strategy Against Corruption 2015-2020 and its Action Plan (2019-2023). Overall, the project should focus on reforms that are part of the European Integration Agenda.
  • Specific topics that are of interest to this Embassy:
    • Behavioral change initiatives by engaging youth and communities at grassroots level;
    • Awareness raising and increasing public trust in the existing anti-corruption mechanism;
    • Strengthening of policy dialogue on anti-corruption between Government and Civil Society;
    • Contribution to anti-corruption measures and outreach at local level.
• Organised Crime / Money Laundering
  • Proposal should fit within the context of the EU integration process of Albania, and should aim at a strengthened role of civil society in the fight against organized crime and money laundering. Within this field they specifically welcome projects that increase public awareness and accountability by encouraging an informed and evidence-based public debate.
  • Specific topics that are of interest to this Embassy:
    • Investigative reporting or thorough research focused on organized crime and/or money laundering in Albania;
    • Strengthening monitoring and evaluations of government activities countering organized crime and/or money laundering;
    • Strengthening of policy dialogue on the fight against organized crime and/or money laundering between government and civil society;
    • Engagement of youth and communities to discourage tolerance of and prevent involvement in crime.
• Democratization, good governance and civic engagement
  • Proposal should contribute to a more capable and responsive public sector towards citizens’ needs, as well as to advance and respond to demands of EU integration process. It should aim at improving public administration to become more efficient, accountable, transparent, inclusive and effective at national and local level.
  • Specific topics that are of interest to this Embassy:
    • Strengthening of independent government oversight institutions and/or agencies. Preference is given to projects that focus on accountability and promote civic engagement and strengthen inclusiveness in the decision making processes.
    • Enhanced transparency and access to information for the citizens, leading to improved quality of services for citizens and businesses.
    • Strengthening the cooperation between different stakeholders (national and local governments, civil society organisations, private sector and citizens) in addressing the major reforms in the framework of the EU integration process.
    • Strengthening the role of women, both in decision making and effective implementation.

Funding Information

• The project has a duration of 24 – 36 months.
• Overall budget for project should range between EUR 60.000 and EUR 120.000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications are only taken into consideration when the Embassy provided format is used.
• Applications must be relevant to the specific Matra objectives.
• The project needs to reinvigorate the local ownership of the issue that is at the core of the project.
• If cooperation with the government authorities is foreseen, outreach to the relevant stakeholders should be done before submitting the concept note.
• The applicant should preferably contribute to the project (financial or in kind). This needs to be specified clearly in the activities and budget overview.
• Preference is given to proposals:
  • That are gender sensitive;
  • That take inclusiveness seriously and create equal access to project results for all groups in society. In this sense they encourage organisations to set up activities in areas where needs are higher, in some cases this means activities outside the capital;
  • That clearly state how the results will turn into sustainable improvements;
  • That are cost sensitive, whenever possible seek in kind contributions, use alliances with the business community, work with volunteers etc;
  • That use innovative ways to tackle issues (involve the private sector, use a broad coalition sharing a common concern, make use of digital tools, have a clear media strategy,..).

Ineligible

Not eligible for funding under the Matra Embassy Program:

• Humanitarian aid;
• Commercial activities;
• Business registered organizations;
• Projects with a predominantly academic focus, i.e. feasibility studies, research etc.;
• Projects that exclusively or largely include the delivery of goods or materials;
• Infrastructural or construction projects;
• Scholarships or education programs;
• Social programs.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2PbuX5d