This programme co-finances projects in the field of conflict prevention and peace building. Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.
Background
Belgium’s overall development co-operation – including its peace-building instrument – is undergoing major reforms. However, the financing and management of non-government co-operation initiatives remain in the domain of the Directorate General for Development Co-operation (DGDC) which directly reports to the Federal Minister of Development Co-operation. Its role is to conceive development co-operation policy guidelines, to manage co-operation instruments, allocate funds and follow up and evaluate their use. Within the DGDC, the unit in charge of the peace-building instrument is called S0.5 Conflict Prevention and Peace Consolidation.
Types of Grant
Co-funding of projects in the field of conflict prevention and peace building.
Grant Size
On an annual basis: a minimum of € 100,000 and a maximum of € 1,000,000.
Own Contribution
The grants may cover up to 100% of the project costs.
Funding Priorities
The budget line is supplementary to the other budget lines. The projects subsidised complement the initiatives that cannot be supported for reasons of status or procedure through geographical, multilateral or other co-operation channels. The initiatives listed below can be subsidised from the peace-building budget line.
Priority focus points:
- parliaments, development of a democratic culture, local elections assistance
- transitional justice and reconciliation
- disarmament, demobilisation and ex-combatant reintegration
- children in armed conflicts
- humanitarian demining and consolidation of society
- fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and consolidation of society in conflict or post-conflict areas
Other focus points:
- conflict mediation
- dialogue and reconciliation
- media freedom and democratisation
- local elections assistance
Grantmaking Criteria
Applicants:
Requests for financing of projects under the peace-building budget line can be introduced by Belgian, foreign or international organizations which:
- are non-profit-making;
- have no legal relationship with an academic institution and do not come under the legal or financial responsibility of an academic institution;
- have their seat and enjoy legal status in Belgium or in another country of the European Union, in Norway, Switzerland, Canada or the USA;
- have sufficient experience and demonstrated capacity to support processes in the field of conflict prevention, peace building, democratisation, respect for and promotion of human rights;
- have a sufficient financial and organisational background to ensure the monitoring of projects.
NB: NGOs authorised by the DGDC can apply for financing under the peace-building budget line only if the projects proposed fall outside the framework of a multi-annual programme financed by the NGO co-funding line. Only ‘non-recognised organisations’ seeking to obtain financing for activities in the field of conflict prevention and peace consolidation can benefit from the peace-building budget line.
Projects:
Special attention is paid to the quality of the dossiers, the capacity of the partners as regards management (in particular, administrative and financial management and in the field of peace building), and the probable impact of the project. A small part of the budget is also reserved for innovative, pilot projects or partnerships. This type of initiative can sometimes generate a longer-term, structural co-operation.
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Guidelines
The instrument is defined by a royal decree which is currently being reviewed. The new decree will be published in 2007.
Project Duration
12 to 36 months
Deadline
30 June of the year preceding the project activities
Application Forms
Application forms are provided by the DGDC. Each dossier must include:
- a project sheet;
- the actual project, including the justification of the request for financing under the peace-building budget line;
- a global logical framework;
- a detailed activity budget; and
- identity data on the applicant organisation and its partners (when applicable).
Each application must be accompanied by a copy of the current Articles of Association of the recipient organisation and a recent annual report, a report of activities or publications proving the applicant’s expertise in the field of peace building.
Application and Procedures
Individually or in a consortium, the NGO first submits its project proposal to unit S0.5 ‘Conflict Prevention and Peace Consolidation’ of the DGDC. Upon receipt, the unit formulates a proposal and sends it, together with the Inspector of Finance’s input, to the Development Co-operation policy officer with the recommendation:
- either to approve the project and the funding request and to grant the requested subsidy;
- to approve the project and/or the funding request in an amended form and to grant the appropriate subsidy;
- or not to approve the project and the funding request and not to grant any subsidy.
It rests with the Development Co-operation policy officer to make the final decision on funding, on the basis of the proposal set forth by the peace-building unit, accompanied by the Inspector of Finance’s recommendation.
Languages
French, Dutch or English
Tips
Sub-Saharan Africa, especially the wider Great Lakes area is targeted. NGOs can submit joint programmes, with one NGO taking the lead within these consortia. The law encourages such partnerships, and in practice they receive higher funding. Non-Belgian NGOs can obtain support through a partnership with Belgian NGOs.
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