This programme co-finances of Belgian authorised non-government development organisations from 2007 onwards. Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.

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

Belgium’s overall development cooperation – including its non-government instruments – is undergoing major reforms. However, the financing and control 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. The unit in charge of non-government co-operation with Belgian non-government actors works under the responsibility of Directorate 3 ‘Non-government Programmes’, and different units deal with different types of Belgian non-government actors.

Co-funding of projects of Belgian authorised non-government development organisations from 2007 onwards.

For projects of the ‘South’ line, the project budget must be a minimum of € 125,000.
For projects of the ‘North’ line, the project budget must be a minimum of € 40,000.

The instrument co-funds 80% of project costs. Own contributions amount to 20% And have to be covered by funds originating in OECD countries. A minimum of 15% have to be financial contributions, and no more than 5% can be in-kind contributions.

Funding is allocated on the basis of a six-year strategic framework prepared by the applicant NGO and submitted to and approved by the DGDC. This strategic framework outlines the NGO’s mission and how it chooses to attain it, giving information on target groups, partners, geographical zones, sectors and themes.

The instrument is articulated along two lines:

• The ‘North’ line aims at promoting equal and solid North–South relations either through fostering mobilisation of Belgian population and political, economical and social actors, through international networking and actions, or in supporting and enhancing the work of NGOs engaged in the field of North–South solidarity.
• The ‘South’ line aims at directly or indirectly enhancing the socio-economic environment of disadvantaged populations in the South in a sustainable development perspective through capacity building and/or supporting actions by the applicant NGOs.

Eligible are Belgian NGOs authorised by the DGDC as defined by the royal decree of 14 December 2005. These NGOs are allowed to submit strategic frameworks which are the basis for receiving funds from this instrument. A list of the 135 Belgian organisations which currently have this status can be found here.

To be eligible, a project has to respond to the following criteria:

• It must be integrated into the strategic framework.
• It must specify the expected results at the end of the project period.
• It must include a precise budget with the material, financial and human means needed for attaining the project objective.
• The criteria of pertinence, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability – as defined by the Development Co-operation Committee of the OECD – must be met.
• The project must be results oriented. The project proposal gives details on all expected sub-results which will lead to reaching the defined objectives. For each expected result a baseline is defined, and evaluation indicators, a risk analysis and a calendar are provided. A logical framework is added.
• A project can exclusively answer objectives of one of the two lines (either North or South).

top

 

The instrument is defined in the royal decree relating to the subsidisation of programmes and projects proposed by authorised non-government development co-operation organisations signed on 24 September 2006.

The project duration is a maximum of two years.

Deadlines are not defined.

Application forms will be put in place by a ministerial decree but are still pending. The application package, however, has to include the following documents:

• The current strategic framework;
• A problem analysis;
• The programme proposal, showing that it answers the eligibility criteria;
• A budget;
• A cash flow forecast;
• The proposed agreements between the applicant and other partner organisations.

The application is submitted to the DGDC, directorate 3 ‘Non-government Programmes’. Within 120 days of receipt the minister will decide whether to accept the proposal.

Not defined

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.

top