The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-funds projects proposed by NGOs. Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.
Background
Non-government organisations (NGOs) are important partners of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the development and execution of annual assistance plans. Current contacts to NGOs are made through the Zagranica Group (a platform of 40 organisations working abroad).
Every year, the ministry announces several calls for proposals directed at NGOs. In 2004, the total amount of funds provided in this way was € 331,000, and in 2005 it was € 2.49 million. In 2006, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced seven calls for proposals with a total amount of € 7.77 million:
- foreign assistance and development cooperation to: Angola, Afghanistan, Belarus, Georgia, Iraq, Moldova, Palestinian autonomy, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Central Asia and Balkans;
- the Polish-Canadian Development Co-operation;
- support for independent information in Belarus, with special attention on radio broadcasts;
- development education;
- an exhibition on the Millennium Development Goals;
- humanitarian assistance – in 2005, Asia after the tsunami, and in 2006 Lebanon;
- media initiatives for Belarus.
Types of Grant
Co-funding of projects proposed by NGOs; mainly technical assistance.
Grant Size
The call for proposals on foreign assistance development co-operation amounted to € 5.465 million. This amount was allocated to 113 projects which received average funds of € 48,300.
Own Contribution
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not ask the applicants to present an obligatory contribution.
Funding Priorities
In 2006, contrary to the previous years, the call for proposals for NGOs covered a much broader scope of subject matter and geography. This was possible because the scope of calls for proposals now included support for democracy and the development of civil society. This gave the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the opportunity to offer financial support for projects whose subject or manner of delivery falls outside Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Projects can be funded under the following topics:
For countries undergoing political transformation:
- sharing knowledge on the implementation of economic and political reforms;
- presentation of Polish transformation experiences;
- technical assistance in economic, social and institutional transformation activities;
- sharing Polish experiences of the process of EU integration;
- sharing knowledge on the activities and development of local governance;
- technical assistance for companies in building and developing the market economy.
For developing countries:
- water supplies;
- purchase of equipment for schools, health centres, and first-aid posts;
- construction of schools and hospitals and other health care and educational institutions.
Grantmaking Criteria
Polish NGOs or international NGOs with an established office in Poland are eligible. Experience in the particular field of the development project is not obligatory, but expected. However, it is obligatory to demonstrate proven experience in international co-operation and in co-operating with local partners in the recipient country. Depending on the call for proposal, additional criteria are included.
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Guidelines
Separate regulations were prepared for each partner country, indicating the subjects for support and co-operation. To facilitate the proposal-writing process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published guidelines for NGOs.
Project Duration
Maximum one year
Deadline
Four months after publishing the call for proposals
Application Forms
The standard application form (including a logical matrix). Together with the standard application form, applicants should also submit a project budget on the standard budget form. All documents are in Polish.
Application and Procedures
Within one month after submission the Miinistry of Foreign Affairs checks all submitted projects. Then each project is read by two independent experts and discussed by all members of the territorial committee. An independent observer from the NGO sector participates in the evaluation, to assure transparency of project selection. This independent observer is designated by the Council for Co-operation with NGOs.
Languages
Polish
Tips
Every applicant can get advice by sending an email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: dwr@msz.gov.pl.
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