EU Support for Civil Society and Media Program in Kosovo 2018-2019

The IPA Civil Society Facility & Media Programme 2018-2019 for Kosovo* Call for proposals Framework Partnerships Agreements and associated annual operating grants Call for Proposals EuropeAid/162866/DD/ACT/XK Deadline 20/08/2019 EUOK/Cooperation 07/2019 *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

IPA CSF and Media Programme (features) EU support to promote democracy and governance; Biannual Programme with annual financial allocations fast track implementation (contracting N+1 principle) Based on stakeholders (non-Gov) consultations Pursues main policy objectives and results of the CS and Media Guidelines Diverse implementing modalities (grants, services, redistribution of grants, core funding) Complementarity between regional (multi-country) and country actions

The IPA CSF Facility and Media Programme 2018-2019 Projects in the WB Region: TACSO III Media literacy, governance, support to existing self-regulatory mechanisms (UNESCO) Regional Thematic Networks of CSOs Cooperation between CS from Serbia and Kosovo Support to small-scale initiatives (EED) Gender equality and ending violence against women (UN Women, regional CS networks, prizes to Roma women's organisations)

The IPA CSF Facility and Media Programme 2018-2019 Projects in Kosovo Support to Media resilience, audience confidence, quality information Framework Partnerships Programmes Second phase of CS Resource Centre Technical assistance to further advance CS- Gok cooperation Support to projects with high sustainability and innovation profile

Guidelines for EU support to civil society* : main objectives: Enabling legal, policy and financial environment for CSOs; Cooperation between CSOs and public institutions; Capacities of CSOs : transparent, accountable, effective, sustainable * DG Enlargement Guidelines for EU support to civil society in enlargement countries, 2014-2020

Call: Framework Partnerships and annual operating grants Global Objective: to strengthen capacities of civil society organisations, advancing their role of competent, transparent, effective civil society actors that are accountable Specific Objectives/priority: to support long-term commitment of civil society actors in giving citizens a voice to influence public sector reforms through evidence based programmes, analysis, monitoring and concrete advocacy initiatives.

Framework Partnerships: - Switch from project based intervention to structured long term partnership - concluded with organisations that demonstrates experience and professionality in a given sector as well as effectiveness of their programme and sound financial mgmt - It is based on common objectives of the EC and the CSOs - it is supported by a long term (>4 years) strategic plan - Strategic plans of selected framework partners may be supported with annual operating grants (aka core funding)

Framework Partnerships: priority areas of the call - Education (e.g. early childhood, drop out and early school leaving, accountability of institutions, engaging parents and students to demand quality of teaching, combat/report nepotism) - Child protection (e.g. combating child labour, any form of violence and child exploitation; support and advocacy programs for children with fewer opportunities and their parents) - Fight against corruption and informal economy e.g. exposing and reporting corruption at all level including unfair competition and informal economy; public awareness of daily effect of extortion (racketing), corruption; cooperation with Authorities to improve reporting, control and prevention mechanism

Framework Partnerships: priority areas of the call - Consumer protection: e.g. role of consumer organisations in promoting consumer education and information; protection of safety of consumer and economic interests especially in sectors with impact on public health; cooperation with authorities to advance market surveillance - Safety at work: promoting safety and health of workers, exposing cases of intimidation, discrimination, harassment, etc.; public awareness of standards in the area of labour law, equality, health and safety at work; cooperation with authorities to improve enforcement of legislation, control and prevention.

Framework Partnerships: priority areas of the call - Environment protection: e.g. promoting sustainable development through programs; advocating for energy efficiency and incentives to the private sector and household; environmental education and awareness raising; acting as watchdog for nature conservation, waste management, water and air quality - Cultural diversity: advancing reconciliation especially between youth communities; valorisation of cultural diversity through programmes; cooperation with authorities to advance the cultural and touristic sectors

This call is structured in two stages/phases: First phase aims to select Framework Partners on the basis of the strategic plans submitted by applicant CSOs. Strategic plans are: - long term - based on mission and objectives - with main programmes and activities to achieve - clear results - over a minimum of 4 years (application template for strategic plans)

First phase IMPORTANT: Strategic plans (template in Annex) in order to be considered must aim to obtain at minimum the below three results: Strengthened capacity for analysis, advocacy and monitoring of key sector reforms; Better environment for civil activism, volunteering and state-civil society dialogue; Higher legitimacy, transparency and accountability of CSOs in Kosovo.

Second phase aims to award annual operating grants to selected Framework Partners on the basis of the submitted annual work program The Contracting Authority will invite Framework Partners to submit an application for annual operating grant for the year 2020 (12 months) Deadline for submission of applications and other details will be communicated during an information session for selected FPs IMPORTANT: Within the duration of the FPAs, the contracting authority may invite partners to submit applications for operating grants for subsequent financial years

Overall financial allocations under this call for the award of first annual operating grants (i.e. second phase) 300,000 Grant Sizes: - minimum amount 40,000 - maximum amount 60,000

Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum percentages of total eligible costs: Minimum percentage: 51% of the total eligible costs of the annual work programme. Maximum percentage: 90% of the total eligible costs of the annual work programme The balance must be financed from sources other than the budget of the EU (such as own resources , public funds, other donors) Volunteers' work may comprise up to 50% of the co-financing

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants (no co-applicants) legal person and be non-profit making and be a CSO established in a Member State of the EU or in an IPA II beneficiary or established or registered in Kosovo at least two years from the date of publication of the call an organisation whose aims and objectives in its statute or other official document are focussed in the relevant priority area of this call a minimum of two years of experience in Kosovo in the relevant priority area of the call (Pador) be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the annual work programme, not acting as an intermediary.

Framework Partnership Application (strategic plan) - Application form: IMPORTANT Applicant must specify which parts of the strategic plan is relevant for a partnership with the EU: i.e. which common objectives are shared with the EU, particularly with regards to the Communication A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans . - Estimate of the budget foreseen to implement the entire Strategic Plan (Annex B spread sheet 01, only) - Logical framework for strategic plan (Annex C). - applicant may not submit more than one application under this call for proposals.

Application for operating grant (annual work programmes) - Application form: IMPORTANT: The operating grant supports applicant's annual work programme directly linked to the strategic plans of the FPA. - Detailed budget of the annual work programme (Annex B) - Logical framework of the annual work programme which should refer to results, indicators and targets of the logframe of the strategic plan for FPAs(Annex C).

1. Info sessions 8 and 9/07/2019 30/07/2019 2. Deadline for requesting any clarifications from the Contracting Authority 3. Last date on which clarifications are issued by the Contracting Authority 4. Deadline for submission of FPA applications 09/08/2019 20/08/2019 [ September 2019 5. Information to lead applicants on opening, administrative checks and Framework Partnership evaluation (stage 1) October 2019 6. Signature of Framework Partnership Agreements 7.Invitations to submit applications for annual operating grants (stage 2) and info session October/November 2019 10. Information to Applicants on the evaluation of the applications for annual operating grants December 2019 11. Contract signature December 2019

Contacts For more information please check the EUOK/EUSR website eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kosovo or go to EuropeAid website and search for the call EuropeAid/162866/DD/ACT/XK Written questions concerning the call to be submitted to DELEGATION-KOSOVO-FINCON@eeas.europa.eu Written questions concerning functioning and online submission via PROSPECT to EuropeAid-IT-support@ec.europa.eu 20

FPAs and annual operating grants Questions?