Targeted support to civil society through dedicated programmes for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was one of the major successes of the previous funding round. Building on this success, NGO programmes are now being set up in all 15 countries. The €147 million in dedicated funding from the EEA Grants represents an increase of over 70% compared to the previous period. NGOs are also eligible for funding under many of the programmes funded in other sectors through the EEA and Norway Grants.
Worth €10.9 million (made of the €10.4 EEA grant allocation with remainder coming from national co-financing), the Latvian NGO programme will focus on core areas such as promoting democratic values, including human rights and good governance, social inclusion, anti-discrimination. It will also back projects providing welfare services and promoting multicultural dialogue and address the needs of minority groups such as the Russian-speaking population.
Fund Operator, Society Integration Foundation, is now preparing the first open call for project proposals from Latvian civil society groups. A launch event for the programme will take place in the autumn of this year.
Information about the timing of the call will be published on the website of the Society Integration Foundation and www.eeagrants.org as soon as this is available. While applicants need to be registered as NGOs in Latvia, entities from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway may participate as project partners. Projects receiving support may be implemented until 2016.
Through the NGO programmes, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to promoting human rights and empowering vulnerable groups, tackling social inequalities, fostering active citizenship, and increasing NGO-involvement in policy and decision-making processes.
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