Open Call for Proposals for Bilateral Initiatives: Active Citizens Fund of the EEA Grants
The strengthening of bilateral relations and mutual knowledge and understanding by way of networking, exchange of experiences and shared results between civil society organisations (CSOs) and entities in the donor countries is an important priority for the Active Citizens Fund.
Civil society organisations working in public benefit that work in the following five areas are eligible to apply:
- Democracy, active citizenship, good governance, and transparency
- Human rights and equal treatment through combating any discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity
- Social justice and inclusion of vulnerable groups
- Gender equality and gender-based violence
- Environment and climate change
Initiatives funded under this Open Call for Proposals must contribute to at least one of the following outcomes and outputs of the Active Citizens Fund:
| Expected programme result | Indicator | |
| Bilateral outcome | Enhanced collaboration between beneficiary and donor state entities involved in the programme | Level of satisfaction with the partnership |
| Level of satisfaction with the partnership | ||
| Level of trust between cooperating entities in Beneficiary States and Donor States | ||
| Share of cooperating organisations that apply the knowledge acquired from bilateral partnership | ||
| Share of participants in bilateral initiatives funded by the ACF bilateral fund reporting improved knowledge/methods/approaches | ||
| Bilateral output 1 | Partnerships between beneficiary and donor state entities supported | Number of projects involving cooperation with a donor project partner |
| Bilateral output 2 | Cooperation between beneficiary and donor state entities facilitated through the ACF bilateral fund | Number of bilateral cooperation initiatives funded by the ACF bilateral fund |
| Number of individuals participating in bilateral activities funded by the ACF bilateral fund |
Funding is available for two types of activities:
- partner search and the development of joint projects and project applications;
- networking, exchange of experiences and sharing best practices between civil society organisations (CSOs) in Estonia and entities in the donor countries.
Activities may take place in Estonia or donor countries. Given the restrictions on travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic the activities may also take place online.
The maximum size of the grant is EUR 2,500. The grant rate is up to 100% of eligible expenditures of the project. The total budget of the Call is EUR 20,000 which may be increased in case of high demand.
The following expenditures are eligible under the current Call for Proposals:
- expert fees;
- participation fees;
- travel expenses (transportation, per diems, accommodation);
- other reasonable expenses needed to carry out joint activities.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and decisions are made within two weeks of the submission of applications.
Please find the application form HERE.
Applications, along with detailed budget and CVs of project key participants should be submitted electronically via e-mail sent to acf@oef.org.ee. All documents must be in one digital container signed by an authorized person.
Additional information:
Katrin Enno
Open Estonia Foundation
Tel. + 372 502 5301
katrin@oef.org.ee
The Active Citizens Fund is a specific programme area within the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The objective of the Active Citizens Fund is: “Civil society and active citizenship strengthened, and vulnerable groups empowered”. The Programme will seek to develop the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, strengthening its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights, and empowerment of vulnerable groups. The Programme shall be based on the common values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
The fund shall contribute to the overall objectives of the EEA and Norway Grants, to reduce economic and social disparities, and to strengthen bilateral relations between the beneficiary and donor states.
The Open Estonia Foundation in consortium with the Network of Estonian Non-profit Organisations have been appointed as the Fund Operator of the Active Citizens Fund in Estonia by the Financial Mechanism Office through an open and competitive tender process. Between 2019 and 2024 a total of 3,3 million euro will be available for the Estonian CSOs through open calls for proposals and other support activities.