The draft NGO Fund framework Pawel Krzeczunowicz, Polish NGO Office in Brussels Rasmus Reinvang, WWF Norway

What is this ? The document before you is a proposal. It has been elaborated by the Polish NGO Office and WWF Norway on commission from the Financial Mechanism Office in dialogue with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish Ministry of Economy and Labour. Based on this proposal and the public consultation taking place following this conference, the Financial Mechanism Office and Polish authorities will agree on the exact framework for the Polish NGO-fund.

Background Norway’s “Action Plan for EU Candidate Countries 2001 – 2003” –Bilateral support for ca. 50 projects in Poland –A number of Norwegian NGOs involved The Polish NGO-fund - an innovative aspect of Norway’s EEA-commitment –Recommendation of Norwegian NGOs –Promoting sustainable development and setting an example for EU funds

The set-up of the NGO-Fund The NGO Fund will –be of 37,5 million Euros over a five-year period, –provide grants in three priority areas –be managed by a Polish intermediary body The intermediary body will be chosen through an open call for proposals made by the Focal Point. It may be necessary to have more than one intermediary body. The number will depend on the applications received.

The priority sectors for the Financial Mechanisms for Poland The support for Poland has the following priority sectors: protection of the environment sustainable development conservation of European cultural heritage development of human resources health and childcare implementation of legislation in the field of internal security and border control, such as support for ‘Schengen’ action plans regional policy and cross-border activities implementation of acquis communautaire through technical assistance The NGO Fund will operate within of this overall framework.

The priority areas of the NGO Fund + some examples Democracy and civil society –Human rights and civil liberties –Democratic processes –Human resource development Environmental protection and sustainable development –Environmental education –Natural and cultural heritage conservation –Monitoring and advocacy Equal opportunities and social integration -incl. sustainable regional development General goal: Increased cooperation between EEA member states

Next steps I Consultation Conference on April 7, followed by a two week period of open consultation via the ngo.pl Internet portal. Comments are passed on to the Focal Point and the FMO. Final version of the Framework The feedback received from the Polish and Norwegian NGO communities feeds into the writing of the official NGO Fund Framework (Focal Point, FMO)

Next steps II Application for a block grant The Focal Point makes an official application to the FMO for a block grant to be used for an NGO Fund in Poland. Call for proposals for the intermediary The Focal Point organises a competition to select the organisation(s) that will manage the grants process to individual NGOs in one or more of the priority areas.

Next steps III Negotiating the grant to implement the Fund The detailed conditions regarding Fund implementation are negotiated between the Focal Point and the Fund intermediary. Preparation of the Fund intermediary The Fund intermediary (or intermediaries) prepare to organise calls for proposals for individual NGO grants

hei When will it be operational? Before the end of 2005 !

Contact information Pawel Krzeczunowicz, Representative, Polish NGO Office in Brussels Rasmus Reinvang, EU Environmental Policy Officer, WWF Norway