The Bratislava–Belgrade Fund finances actions of NGOs in Serbia and Montenegro. Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.
Background
The Bratislava–Belgrade Fund is the instrument used to fund bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Slovak Republic to the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. In 2006, the fund’s budget was SKK 50 million (approximately € 1.5 million). There are close long-term relations between the Slovak Republic and Serbia and Montenegro, and a large Slovak minority resides in Vojvodina. Since 2000 several Slovak non-government organisations (NGOs) implemented projects aimed at the development of civil society, the protection of human rights of vulnerable citizens and the provision of humanitarian aid. Similarities in history of both countries and Slovakia’s former experience with transition processes create favorable conditions for the successful implementation of Slovak aid to Serbia and Montenegro. The fund is managed by the Civil Society Development Foundation (CSDF) which created an Administrative and Contracting Unit (ACU BBF) for this purpose.
Types of Grant
Co-funding
Grant Size
The steering committee of the Bratislava–Belgrade Fund held its session on 30 May 2006 and approved seven projects for a total amount of about € 890,000. This is an average of € 130,000 per project.
Own Contribution
Projects often receive additional co-funding by the Canadian and Austrian development co-operation agencies. For investment projects the applicant has to contribute at least 10% of the total investment expenditure of the project.
Funding Priorities
Assistance to Serbia and Montenegro follows a country strategy paper which outlines three priority sectors: strengthening civil society, development and renewal of basic infrastructure, and support for Serbia and Montenegro’s integration into international groupings and organisations.
Grantmaking Criteria
Only Slovak applicants are eligible. This includes businesses, state organisations and NGOs. Projects have to fit with the preferred areas of support of the Serbia and Montenegro strategy paper.
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Guidelines
Guidelines for the provision of ODA funding can be obtained in English and Slovakian from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The country strategy paper for Serbia and Montenegro can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is also a document called ‘useful steps in applying for BBF support’.
Project Duration
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Deadline
Deadlines vary depending on the call for proposals. The CSDF offers the service to inform about deadlines via email. Send a message to applicatons@npoa.sk, stating that you are interested in being informed about the deadlines.
Application Forms
Application forms can be requested from the CSDF.
Application and Procedures
An initial project proposal can be sent to applications@npoa.sk (this is not obligatory). The CSDF will then answer with recommendations in writing on how to improve or adjust it. Then, the proposal can be redesigned in the form of a Final Approval Project Document; it has to be submitted before the deadline with all obligatory annexes (otherwise the application is rejected). Usually the decision of the Bratislava–Belgrade Fund committee comes two to three months after the deadline for submission of the Final Approval Project Document.
Languages
English
Tips
Non-Slovak NGOs should look for Slovak partners to submit their project. There are several possibilities for identifying a partner either in Slovakia or Serbia and Montenegro:
- through the Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro to the Slovak Republic;
- through the Embassy of Slovakia to Serbia and Montenegro;
- through members of the Slovak Co-ordination Committee (state and public administration);
- through current contractors and final BBF beneficiaries (documents available to download from www.npoa.sk).