Call for Proposals for Capacity Building of Business and Agriculture Coalitions founded (and to be strengthened) within the Framework of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project

“Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project

The “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” project (hereafter: Project) is implemented by a consortium of the following civil society organisations: “Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO (the lead organisation), “International Centre for Human Development” Public Organisation “SME Cooperation Association” NGO, Union of Communities of Armenia, “Armenian Centre for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” NGO, and Agora Central Europe o.p.s (an NGO from the Czech Republic). The Project aims at reinforcing civil society voice and dialogue with the government and local government.

The Project was launched on 15 December 2016. It is implemented with the financial support of the European Union (EU) for a duration of 34 months. The overall objective of the Action is to enhance the influence of CSOs on the public policy process, and the specific objectives are to strengthen the ability of CSOs to build coalitions and focus on constructive and strategic policy engagement with local and central government partners.

The Objective of the Project Sub-Granting Component

The activities carried out in the scope of the Project prove that many problems exist in the Project target sectors and other public sectors. Joint efforts and participation of the CSO sector, sustainable dialogue with the Government and local self-government bodies (hereafter LSGs) and evidence-based public policy development, improvement and their advocacy, as well as implementation of monitoring on the application of policies, are needed for solving these problems and achieving results. These actions can be undertaken, by the existing and operational CSO coalitions, as well as by those, which will be newly formed and by individual CSOs.

It is anticipated to provide 2 types of sub-grants in within the framework of the project: for CSOs and CSO coalitions (networks). Subgroups for CSO coalitions (networks) will be provided in two stages.

At this stage of the Project, the launch of the second phase of sub-grants allocated to business and agricultural CSO Coalitions (Networks) is announced. The objectives are:

Objective

The main objective of this sub-grant is to develop capacities of Business and Agriculture CSO Coalitions founded or to be strengthened within the Framework of the “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project

Beneficiaries

In accordance with the goals of this sub-grant call, the Business and Agriculture CSO Coalitions (Networks) that had won in the first stage and whose projects will be evaluated by the Project Team effectively and will ensure the current outcomes provided by the Project, can apply for funding in this stage.

Budget

In the second stage of sub-grants provided to Business and Agriculture CSO Coalitions (Networks), the Project will support two consortiums of business and agriculture CSOs winners in the first stage, each of which will be provided with additional financial support up to 8,500,000 (eight million five hundred thousand) AMD.

The applicants are expected to make a financial contribution to the sub-grant project in the amount of at least 10% of the funding requested. The proposals, that fail to meet the contribution requirement, will not be considered.

Salary costs and expert payments each must not exceed 25% of the budget․

The costs incurred before the official date of sub-grant allocation, as well as those not related to the sub-grant, will not be accepted.

The total changes made in the budget expenditure lines by the sub-grantee must not exceed ten per cent (10%) of the total budget. The responsible person at the Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) must be notified about that in written form in advance and must give written permission. Changes on the amount exceeding ten per cent (10%) of the total budget or changes in the sub-grant objective must be made in the sub-grant agreement in written form and be approved by both parties. Budget allocation regulations are stipulated in Chapter 5 of the ALA Grants Policy.

Application Submission Procedure

The winning applicants (including the entire composition of the consortia applying for the sub-grant call) agree to participate in a one-day mandatory discussion with Project representatives in order to receive expert advice, including financial advice on the sub-grant implementation process.

NB 1. No sub-grant agreement will be signed with the CSOs and CSO consortia refusing to participate in the above-mentioned training and discussion.

Duration:

The duration of the sub-grant projects must be 5.5 (five and a half) months.

Other Requirements

The sub-grant application form, annexes and accompanying documents shall be signed by the head of the Project lead organisation and be stamped with the stamp of the respective CSO.

The entire application package signed and sealed by the head of the lead organization of the consortia shall be sent to the e-mail address [email protected], with indication “Sub-Grant Application for Capacity Building of CSO Coalitions” in the subject line.

Attention: The applications submitted in person will not be considered.

The deadline for submission of applications is 12 January 2019, 23:59 PM.

The application and attached documents will not be returned to the applicant, regardless of the fact whether the application was accepted or not. Only one package of documents is required to be submitted.

All the issues related to sub-grants are solved in accordance with ALA’s grant policy.

The decisions on the allocation of the sub-grants will be made on 15 January, 2019. Information on the winners will be published on the Project website at www.ccd.armla.am.

Sub-grant agreements will be signed with the winning applicants on 15 January 2018. The first day of grant implementation is 16 January 2019.

In case of having questions you can contact Artak Saribekyan, the Chairman of the Grants Commission of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, at the number +37410 540199 or the e-mail address [email protected].

NB 2

The terms and conditions set out in the call may be changed, if necessary. In case of any changes, the information will be published on the Project website at www.ccd.armla.am.

Attention:

The applications submitted after the deadline and/or missing the required information or failing to meet the Project requirements, will not be considered.

Documents attached to this call