The Hungarian government supports Hungarian NGOs through ad hoc calls for proposals. Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.
Background
Hungary is an emerging donor country. The Department for International Development Co-operation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in October 2002 and is in charge of planning and co-ordinating Hungarian international development activities.
Since 2004, the Hungarian International Development Agency (HUN-IDA), a non-profit institution, has been the implementing agency for development co-operation programmes, while Hungarian missions abroad, non-government organisations (NGOs), the private sector and various organs of public administration participate in carrying out development projects in partner countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its first call for proposals in late 2003, to provide Hungarian NGOs with centralised financial support for humanitarian and development projects Until then, aid missions targeting crisis areas were based almost exclusively on donations from international NGOs.
In November 2003, the ministry concluded a cost-sharing agreement with the UN develoment programme on supporting the implementation of Hungarian international development projects in strategic partner countries, mainly Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2004, Hungary has implemented development projects accepted by the steering committee where it has a decisive vote. It intends to involve the widest possible circle of Hungarian NGOs, experts and companies.
Types of Grant
Co-funding for Hungarian NGOs
Grant Size
Minimum € 20,000 maximum € 40,000.
Own Contribution
At least 20–25% of the project value must be provided through an NGO’s own resources or contributions, either in cash or in kind.
Funding Priorities
- Governance
- Civil society
- Education
- Health
- Environment
Grantmaking Criteria
Only Hungarian NGOs are eligible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not require a particular period of existence for an NGO to be able to submit a proposal. However, it is an advantage to be able to prove that an NGO is experienced in its field. It is not necessary to work together with a partner in the South.
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Guidelines
Project proposals should be in line with following Hungarian legal texts: 1989. évi II. Act and 217/1998 (XII. 30.) – Statutory Rule – State Budget. Guidelines are published together with the calls for proposals. An example is avaliable here.
Project Duration
The average timescale of a project is 18 months, with a maximum of two years.
Deadline
After publication, applicants have 30 days to submit applications.
Application Forms
An application form is provided in the calls for proposals, and the budget must have the format as detailed here. In addition, the financial and technical capacity of the NGO has to be certified with documents as required by Hungarian Law (e.g. bank declaration, declaration from tax office).
Application and Procedures
Once the call for proposals has been published, the applicant submits its project proposal to the Department for International Development Co-operation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Then, the ministry proceeds with the evaluation, first shortlisting proposals based on formal criteria and then evaluating whether the projects proposed fit with Hungary’s development co-operation strategy. The bodies involved are the Department for International Development Co-operation and the territorial departments of the ministry as well as (HUN-IDA). From 2007 on, Hungarian embassies will be consulted as well, and there are plans to introduce a scoring system.
Languages
Hungarian
Tips
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organises consultations. NGOs are encouraged to contact the ministry or HUN-IDA by email or telephone.
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