1. Thematic areas and overview of the opportunities for bilateral cooperation under the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria Bilateral Workshop between Bulgarian Civil Society Organizations and Organizations from the Donor States (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway) Sofia, 7 November, 2018

2. Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria
The objective of the Active Citizens Fund is:
“Civil society and active citizenship strengthened
and vulnerable groups empowered”
Allocation of EUR,
provided by the Donor States – Norway
Iceland and Liechtenstein
Fund Operator is Open Society Institute – Sofia,
in partnership with the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation and the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation
The Fund shall operate until 2024.
Strengthening bilateral relations is one of the objectives of the EEA Grants and is priority of the Active Citizens Fund.

3. The Fund’s website: www.activecitizensfund.bg
Two calls for strategic projects – the first call is OPEN (deadline 28 January 2019)!
Small initiatives scheme (rolling call) – the guidelines are published!
Two bilateral measures (seed money and support for small bilateral initiatives) – the first bilateral measure is OPEN! (deadline 23 November 2019)
Project proposals are submitted via the Electronic Proposal System (EPSS) by the lead applicant (Bulgarian entity). Partners do not register in the EPSS.
Applications for the Bilateral measures are submitted per
English version of (guidelines and documents in English, incl. Q&A section for foreign partners)

4. 6 thematic priorities (thematic outcomes) of the Fund in Bulgaria

5. Strengthened democratic culture and civic awareness
Increased support for human rights
Vulnerable groups are empowered
CSOs actively address gender equality and GBV
Increased civic engagement in environmental protection/climate change
Enhanced capacity and sustainability of the civil society sector including CSOs

6. Thematic outcome with outcome indicators predefined outputs (project specific goals) predefined output indicators
Predefined target groups - end beneficiaries and intermediaries
Guidelines for applicants - available in English!
The project proposals (under the two strategic calls and small initiatives scheme) shall be submitted in Bulgarian language by the lead applicant. Partnership statements and agreements – in English for foreign partners.

7. First call for strategic projects – NOW OPEN
Total indicative budget for the first call EUR
Grant amount – to EUR.
10% own contribution. Duration of projects – months.
Eligible applicants: CSOs established in Bulgaria under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act and registered for public benefit. One proposal per lead applicant.
All types of donor states entities are eligible partners. They can be partners in more than one project. All partners must have a clear role and contribute to the project objective. Bilateral projects can receive + 5 points in the quality evaluation phase.
Maximum EUR per single entity for the entire duration of the Fund.
Up to 40% of the total requested grant amount for a single partner in a project (maximum EUR);
Up to 60% of the total requested grant amount for all partners in projects with more than one partner.

8. Measure 1: Seed money facility – NOW OPEN
Applicants under the measure can receive up to EUR to cover certain type of costs in relation to the development of partnership project proposals. Deadline: 23 November 2018
Who can apply:
organizations from Bulgaria that meet the eligibility criteria for participation in the strategic call and would like to develop a partnership project with donor states entities
donor states entities, intending to participate with a partnership project in the strategic call.
Eligible costs: costs for transportation, costs for hotel accommodation, per diem allowances. Costs will be reimbursed.
Apply per by filling in a short application form, available on
Organizations from the donor states apply in English.
Applications will be processed in the order of submission until the available budget is exhausted.

9. Measure 2: Funds for small bilateral initiatives: Applicants under the measure can receive up to EUR to cover certain type of costs in relation to the implementation of small bilateral initiatives. The measure will be launched in the first half of 2019.
The second Bilateral Seminar will be organized in 2020/21
Donor states entities can participate in regional events organized by the Fund Operator

10. Small initiatives scheme (rolling call)
Total indicative budget for the scheme: EUR
Grant amount requested – to EUR.
10% own contribution. Duration of projects – 2-12 months.
Eligible applicants: CSOs established in Bulgaria under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act and registered for public benefit. One proposal per lead applicant.
All types of donor states entities are eligible partners. They can be partners in more than one project. All partners must have a clear role and contribute to the project objective.
Start of the scheme: 15 March 2019

11. Tips and advice…
Consider that: the project proposal is submitted by the lead applicant, in Bulgarian language. The entire responsibility for the implementation of the grant contract, including financial reporting is with the lead applicant (project promoter). The Fund Operator maintains no formal relations with partners in projects. The expectations, roles and responsibilities of partners must be clear from the beginning.
Read the Guidelines for applicants (available in Bulgarian and in English);
Read carefully the General Conditions to grant contracts/the General Requirements to project partners (available in Bulgarian and in English) – annexes to the Grant contract and the Guidelines for applicants;
Read carefully the templates of partnership declarations/agreements and be clear about responsibilities, outputs and budget;
Keep in mind that there are certain differences in administrative culture (in terms of financial reporting, collection of receipts, signatures, stamps… etc.). Advice: Audit report instead of submission of financial documents for foreign partners - is eligible cost under the Fund and can be included in the project budget.

12. Citizens involved in public policy decision-making
Thematic outcome 1: Strengthened democratic culture and civic awareness
Specific projects’ goals:
Citizens involved in public policy decision-making
Research conducted to inform public policy decision-making and debate
Civic and media literacy education implemented and promoted
Transparency and accountability of public institutions promoted
Monitoring of local and national elections and public appointments carried out
Application of ethical standards in Journalism monitored and promoted

13. Thematic outcome 2: Increased support for human rights
Specific projects’ goals:
CSOs involve young people in field activities, including in volunteering and awareness campaigns on human rights issues
Media-CSOs partnerships established on specific human rights issues
Implementation of international human rights standards promoted
Services provided to victims of discrimination and human rights violations
Human rights education tools developed and implemented
Human rights awareness campaigns carried out
Counter speech and strategic communication to curb negative stereotypes towards vulnerable groups performed

14. Thematic outcome 3: Vulnerable groups are empowered
Specific projects’ goals:
Innovative (new or improved) methods and approaches addressing the needs of vulnerable groups promoted
Members of vulnerable groups trained or involved in advocating for their needs/the needs of their communities
Economic participation of vulnerable groups supported

15. Thematic outcome 4: CSOs actively address gender equality and GBV
Specific projects’ goals:
Research on the current situation, needs, solutions, good practices in relation to GBV and gender equality
Monitoring and watchdog activities on the implementation of policies in relation to gender equality and GBV
Strategic communication and advocacy campaigns for the general public, politicians and inside the target group

16. Programme Outcome 5: Increased civic engagement in environmental protection/climate change (total budget: € )
Specific projects’ goals:
Access to and use of research on environmental protection/climate change is supported
Policy monitoring and advocacy in relation to environmental protection/climate change is carried out
Partnerships with public/private institutions on environment/climate change established/sustained
CSOs supported to carry out educational activities on environmental protection/climate change issues

17. Thematic outcome 6: Enhanced capacity and sustainability of the civil society sector including CSOs
Specific projects’ goals:
Partnerships between CSOs and public/private entities established or supported
Capacity building provided to CSOs
Advocacy campaigns for an improved legal and fiscal environment for civic activities and CSOs carried out
Platforms and networks among CSOs developed or sustained
Citizens awareness about the role of the CSOs in society enhanced .

18.
Thank you!