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BACKGROUND
Democratic equality, representative democracy and in particular, participatory
democracy, are the democratic principles promoted throughout Norwegian external
assistance. A vibrant and strong civil society is crucial to participatory democracy. If
capacitated, organized civil society can contribute to more effective policies,
equitable and sustainable development and inclusive growth and add value to local
and/or national governance. Competent, visible and effective, civil society
organizations remain the main channel through which citizens may take an active
part in setting the political agenda, contributing effectively to a growing demand for
transparent and accountable governance.
In view of this, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established separate
funds for support to civil society organizations in the Western Balkans in 2011,
administered by the Embassies in Belgrade, Prishtina and Sarajevo.
The Embassy in Belgrade has supported 15 projects in the year 2012 as the first
phase of this funding program. The details on the awarded projects are available at
http://www.norveska.org.rs/Global/SiteFolders/webbel/List%20of%20SCS%20projects
%20in%20Serbia.docx.
Country context
Civil society organizations (CSOs) have been crucial for embedding the democratic
processes in Serbia. They continue to be active in the social, economic and political
life of Serbia. However, according to recent assessments of the civil society in
Serbia, CSOs are in the midst of realignment 1. Human right NGOs that led the sector
in the 90s are now struggling to sustain their activities. Many CSOs face a problem
with defining and reaching their constituencies. Some of them are over-depend on
donor funding. A recent study found that 85% of 3,000 surveyed NGOS believe that
the sector has too little influence on state policies. Public in Serbia still views CSOs
negatively2. People regard the sector as self-focused and unable to engage in
meaningful, salient actions. Inability to gain public support erodes the efforts of
the sector. Coalitions are rare and made on ad-hoc terms.
The limited capacities of the CSOs are one of the reasons for the existence these
problems. Many CSOs operate on a project-by-project basis which diminishes
sustainability potentials and disables coherence and long-term planning. The
available funds for the running costs of the CSOs are particularly and typically rare.
Republic of Serbia Civil Society Assessment report, Catherine Barnes for USAID
Serbia and Montenegro
Strategic Puls Group, May 2009 Public Perception and Attitudes Towards NGO
Sector in Serbia
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the civil society as this in turn, increases their sustainability and professionalism
and contributes to transparency, legitimacy and public accountability.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy publishes the present Call for proposals with a view
to selecting on the basis of a triennial strategic plan and detailed annual work
plans groups of civil society organizations which shall receive the support for the
running costs of their operations for a period of 12 months, and with the possibility
of extension to three years in total. The Call does not intend to provide funds
for specific individual projects, but to cover costs inherent to the
functioning of groups of civil society organizations that are active in the
priority areas of the Call.
Priority areas
Applicants responding to this Call must demonstrate their competence, experience,
achieved results and feasible short term and long term plans in any of the following
priority areas of the Call:
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Eligible activities
This Call for Projects will fund running costs that improve infrastructural and
organizational sustainability, impact and public outreach of the civil society
organizations activities in the priority areas of the Call; provided they bring clear
and tangible benefit to local communities and its residents.
Activities that can be funded include:
The deadline for applications is 9 th November 2012; 16hrs CET. Selection is likely to
be finalized by 10th December 2012.
Expertise costs
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Travel costs
Equipment
Office supplies
Maintenance
Communication costs
Visibility costs
Limitations on staff salaries and experts fees: Core management salaries, including
executive directors, programme directors, financial managers and administration
cannot exceed rates set for the similar work in state institutions in Serbia. All staff
salaries and fees are to be paid to individual bank accounts, and not to any
economic operators registered by the staff and/or experts in question. No
outsourcing of core management is allowed. Staff receiving salaries cannot act as
experts at the same time. Payments of fees and/or salaries to public servants are
not allowed.
Other limitations:
Office related costs shall be paid on the basis of 10 m2 per staff member.
Reconstruction and refurbishment costs shall be approved only if the premises in
question are accessible to wheelchair users.
Ineligible costs
The following expenses will not be covered:
items already financed from other sources, including all budget lines
requested, and all donors of the applicants concerned;
Overheads.
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Applications must include a budgetary estimation for the three year period, for
information purpose, with the detailed budget requested for the initial 12 months of
the operating grant.
The Application Pack includes:
Three year strategic plan, with a gantogram (Gant Chart) for the first 12
months (example is provided in Annex 1)
Information on the global income and expenditure for the past 3 years, for
each applicant concerned
Max points
10
20
20
Innovativity
20
Budget effectiveness
20
10
TOTAL
100
After the deadline for submitting the project proposals expires, but before the final
decision on financing is made, the Embassy may make some suggestions to the
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Implementation Schedule
Year 1 (Month)
Lead & Participating Bodies
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Organisational and management capacity improvement
Activity
Activity 1
Activity 2
Lead applicants
All partners with inputs from the
Associates
Outputs
Xx staff trained
Etc.
Outreach plans
Advocacy plans
Coalition building
Visibility plans
Annex 2 Example of the detailed budget (with instructions) click twice on the
icon bellow to open
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Example of Budget
SCS 2.xls
S51Applicationform.d
oc
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