Чорноморський фонд регіонального співробітництва оголошує конкурс грантів на підтримку громадських ініціатив з протидії негативному впливу пандемії. Дедлайн -30 травня 2021 року.

Program Description

In response to the challenges imposed on the Ukrainian society during the coronavirus outbreak, the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) is launching a new call for proposals which aims to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent media in countering the negative impact of the outbreak on society. This call is part of the COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability regional action run by IREX/ERIM Europe and funded by the European Union. The project aims to support civil society, independent activists, and independent media to continue their work throughout and after the coronavirus pandemic.

Eligibility

Project proposals should be initiated by civil society organizations legally registered in Ukraine and should limit their geographic scope to Ukraine. Under the thematic area, Advancing Independent Media, the call includes independent media organizations.

Under the current call, BST will support proposals that fall under one of the following thematic areas:

Lot 1: Civil Society-led Mobilization of Social Support – projects up to EUR 20,000: Cooperation of the CSOs with local authorities, businesses and IT companies, educators and scientists, and independent media in supporting groups affected by the coronavirus crisis.

• Strengthen the capacity of solidarity projects initiated during the pandemic, such us volunteer networks, CSR initiatives that brought together employees, CSOs staff, public officials, etc.
• Develop solutions to open more effective communication channels between authorities, CSOs, businesses, citizens regarding the coronavirus crisis
• Empower community-led organizations and initiatives to lead COVID-19 prevention and control efforts. This might refer to creation and functioning of community self-help groups, initiation of community hubs, etc.

Lot 2 – projects up to EUR 25,000

2.1 Advancing Independent Media

Under this line we are funding two types of projects:

1. Continued supply of accurate information about the further evolution of the crisis and its impact on different spheres of society;
2. Debunking fake news through factchecking and exposing cases of disinformation—a special focus will be placed on information about Eastern Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic. These proposals should take into consideration current developments under the crisis, such as vaccination, pandemic fatigue, etc.

2.2 Exchange and Cooperation Grants

• shared expertise between CSOs in different regions of Ukraine on how to develop appropriate strategies to effectively cope with a very different future operating environment
• strengthening the capacity of the regional and national networks to be an active stakeholder in the regional and national fora related to their areas of activities
• create coalitions and networks to propose policies and laws that benefit the vulnerable groups most affected by the coronavirus crisis

2.3 Government Oversight

• oversight of public procurement procedures, investments in the health sector, subsidies, and economic aid
• alternative public policies drafted to contain the crisis and mitigate its economic and social effects
• monitor restrictions to human rights, media freedom, personal privacy. This could be directly related to increased use of digital surveillance tools.

Application Process

Proposals will be received on an ongoing basis, the first deadline being May 30 at midnight. Priority will be given to organizations working in the areas outside Kyiv and those working in partnership with other organizations. BST encourages applicants to be creative and bold and propose initiatives that make use of the new technologies/platforms endorsed during the pandemic.

The award ceiling for each lot may only be exceeded by exceptional projects. Proposals under EUR 10,000 will not be taken into consideration. Management costs (excluding experts) and administrative costs are cumulatively limited to 25 percent of the overall award. The purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and end beneficiaries, as well as needed IT&C equipment and services is allowable.

The minimum duration of a project is 6 months, and the maximum duration is 12 months.

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected]. Please include in the subject line of the email Ukraine EC proposal.

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English only:

• application form
• budget form

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be taken into consideration.

For more information, please email us at [email protected].

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