Background	Project Duration
Grant Size	Deadline
Own Contribution	Application Forms
Funding Priorities	Application & Procedures
Grantmaking Criteria	Languages
Guidelines	Tips

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports development projects of Danish NGOs through various funding schemes. In 2008, 57 Danish NGOs received a total of 1 million DKK (€145 million) for their initiatives in developing countries.

The Agency for Danish International Development Assistance (Danida) is responsible for all large project proposals submitted by Danish NGOs (with a grant size of more than 5 million DKK (€672,140). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned the Project Advice and Training Centre   an association of more than 200 small and medium sized Danish NGOs, with administering all other applications.

Six large Danish NGOs are currently operating under multi-annual Framework Agreements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

• Care Denmark
• Danish Red Cross
• DanChurchAid
• Ibis
• Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke
• Save the Children Denmark

This cooperation instrument has been launched with the objective to enable experienced Danish NGOs to flexibly plan and implement development activities over a longer duration within the negotiated budget. These organisations have the freedom to identify, plan, implement and monitor projects of their own choosing within the given frames.

Single projects are the main instrument of support for Danish civil society organisations which have not entered into Framework Agreements. It is also possible for NGOs to form alliances or networks within a specific thematic area and to apply for Single funds for these joint programmes.  Under the single project allocation, an annual sum of 55 million DKK (€7.3 million) has been earmarked for innovative efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS and for the promotion of women in Africa.
The Mini-Project Fund supports small-scale projects of Danish NGOs in cooperation with local civil society partners in developing countries. The Project Advice and Training Centre and a number of umbrella organisations are responsible for administering such funds.

In 2009, the six Framework Organisations have received between 43 million DKK (€5.7 million) and 153 million DKK (€20.5 million) respectively from Danida.

For single projects, Danida is responsible for applications for more than 5 million DKK (€672,140), while the Project Advice and Training Centre administer applications for all other grants. The maximum grant size for grants in excess of 5 million DKK will have to be negotiated with Danida.

With the exception of Framework Agreements (10% self-financing by the NGO), Danida will provide up to 100% of the total eligible project costs.

All proposed project activities should follow the general objectives and principles of Danish development policy as laid down in the annual “Priorities of the Danish Government for Danish Development Cooperation”, the Strategy for Danish Development Policy “Partnership 2008” and other relevant thematic policies. Moreover, applications should make reference to the specific Danish country strategy, if applicable. However, the target country of the project proposal must not necessarily be one of Denmark’s programme countries.

The “Strategy for Danish Support to Civil Society in Developing Countries” (2008) particularly emphasises that Danish-supported NGO-projects must have as their development objective to strengthen civil society in developing countries. The NGO-project can be within the following areas:

• Capacity development 
• Advocacy
• Service delivery in connection with support to capacity development and advocacy 
• Partnership activities.

The cross-cutting issues of gender, sustainable development and human rights and democracy should be mainstreamed into the project proposal, if possible.

Only Danish NGOs and networks are eligible to apply for funds from Danida.

The “General Guidelines for grant administration through Danish NGOs” (new version of April/May 2010) lists the responsibilities and obligations which apply to all Danish NGOs receiving grants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for development and humanitarian activities. Among other things, NGOs are required to:

• Have the technical and administrative capacity for proper administration of allocated government funds
• Ensure that partner organisations are not registered on either the UN or EU list of terrorist organisations
• Comply with Danida’s anti-corruption code of conduct and ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ anti-corruption clause is entered in all contracts and agreements with partners and suppliers
• Use transparent staff selection procedures (if applicable) and fair employment conditions

The following guidelines are available for download at the Aid Management Guidelines’ web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:  

• “General guidelines for grant administration through Danish NGOs” (April/May 2010) 
• “Administrative guidelines for Danish framework organisations operating under framework agreements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” (April/May 2010)
• “NGO Pool for Innovative HIV/AIDS Activities and Initiatives for Women in Africa”– Guidelines

The guidelines for the Mini-Project Scheme are available on the web site of the Project Advice and Training Centre.  

February 1st.

For the Mini-Project Scheme, the Project Advice and Training Centre is accepting applications by January 1st, April 1st, June 1st and October 1st.

In previous years, the deadline was May 30^th of each year.

Application forms can be downloaded from the following Danida website (in Danish)

For the Mini-Project Scheme, forms are available from the Project Advice and Training Centre.  

The Project Advice and Training Centre should serve as the starting point for Danish NGOs interested in applying for funds from Danida. PR offers seminars and workshops as well as individual counselling in relation to project formulation, strengthening organisational capacity, etc. It is also facilitating networks among NGOs with common regional of thematic interests focuses. Southern civil society groups should also not hesitate to contact PR if they are interested in forming partnerships with Danish NGOs.

Another resource is IBIS, the Danish NGO platform, who can also be contacted for more general information on development cooperation and on accredited NGOs.  

German

The Project Advice and Training Centre should serve as the starting point for Danish NGOs interested in applying for funds from Danida. PR offers seminars and workshops as well as individual counselling in relation to project formulation, strengthening organisational capacity, etc. It is also facilitating networks among NGOs with common regional of thematic interests focuses. Southern civil society groups should also not hesitate to contact PR if they are interested in forming partnerships with Danish NGOs.

Another resource is IBIS, the Danish NGO platform, who can also be contacted for more general information on development cooperation and on accredited NGOs.