Western Balkans Fund Call for Proposals

This Call for Proposals seeks to support regional cooperation and development in the Western Balkans, targeting civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state, non-profit entities. The focus is on fostering collaboration between local stakeholders in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The ultimate goal is to strengthen participatory democracies, promote inclusivity, and enhance regional integration in alignment with EU values and objectives.

Objectives

The main objectives of this call include:

• Establishing partnerships among CSOs across the Western Balkans to tackle shared challenges.
• Boosting organisational capacities through training, awareness campaigns, and research for policy development.
• Promoting inclusivity by ensuring marginalized groups are represented and empowered to take leadership roles in regional activities.

Areas of Intervention

The call for proposals is structured around three strategic areas for intervention:

1. Cultural Cooperation: Initiatives that foster a shared regional cultural identity, encourage intercultural dialogue, and promote sustainable cultural activities that also focus on environmental stewardship. These projects aim to nurture connections between nature and culture, contributing to peace and eco-consciousness in the region.
2. Education and Scientific Exchange: Projects that support education development, capacity building, and mobility. This area encourages environmentally sustainable practices in educational initiatives and the promotion of scientific exchanges for long-term regional growth and development.
3. Sustainable Development: Initiatives that integrate the green agenda into regional economic development. These projects should focus on environmental responsibility, creating institutional partnerships that balance economic growth with ecological well-being.

Financial Allocation

The total financial allocation for this Call for Proposals is EUR 360,000. The European Union supports the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) in this initiative, ensuring balanced funding across the six WBF Contracting Parties. The contract authority reserves the right to cancel the call or not award all available funds if proposals do not meet the required quality or quantity standards.

Grant Size and Co-financing Requirements

Each project can receive a maximum grant of EUR 15,000, covering up to 80% of total eligible costs. Applicants must contribute at least 20% of the total eligible costs as co-financing. The co-financing amount must be secured independently and cannot come from other EU funds. For example, if the grant amount is EUR 15,000, applicants must provide at least EUR 3,750 in co-financing.

Projects with higher levels of co-financing will be prioritized, as they are seen as more sustainable and impactful in terms of regional cooperation.

Project Duration

Projects must be implemented within a timeframe of 3 to 6 months, including the reporting period (last 30 days). This ensures that the project is completed within a reasonable period, allowing for timely reporting and accountability.

Eligibility of Applicants

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a legal entity (individuals or unregistered entities are not eligible).
• Be established in one of the WBF Contracting Parties (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Serbia).
• Be a non-profit organization.
• Be from specific sectors, such as:
  • CSOs, NGOs
  • Local or regional public entities
  • Business associations (e.g., chambers of commerce, tourism associations)
  • Educational institutions (universities, schools, research centers)
  • Media organisations and associations
  • Cultural and sports institutions (e.g., museums, libraries, sports associations)

Organisations must not be for-profit entities, central government institutions, political parties, or religious institutions.

Financial Regulations and Eligible Costs

• Eligible Costs: Costs directly related to project implementation within the project duration. All costs must be realistic and justified based on market rates for the region.
• Human Resources (HR) Costs: Total HR costs (WBF and co-financing) must not exceed 30% of the total grant amount.
• Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are limited to 7% of the subtotal direct eligible costs.
• In-kind contributions are not eligible.

Final Beneficiaries

The final beneficiaries of the funded projects will be the communities in the Western Balkans, particularly marginalized and underrepresented groups, who will benefit from enhanced regional cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and sustainable development practices.

In conclusion, this Call for Proposals offers an important opportunity to strengthen regional ties, promote cultural exchange, improve educational and scientific cooperation, and encourage sustainable development across the Western Balkans, all while fostering a more inclusive and democratic environment for the people of the region.

Deadline: 19 February 2025

Source: WBFportal.org – WBF Online Grants Management System