Domestic and Gender-based Violence

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? Despite the Estonian government’s clear commitment and concern, gender-based violence and trafficking remain  grave challenges for the Estonian society. Domestic violence is widespread but tends to go unrecognised, and a lack of specialist knowledge and research on the issue limits the government’s possibility to tackle the problem efficiently.  Trafficking in human beings is increasingly becoming an area of concern, with Estonia being a source, transit, and destination country for women subjected to forced prostitution, and for men and women subjected to conditions of forced labour (Trafficking in Persons Report 2012). What will the programme achieve and who are the beneficiaries? The programme contributes to tackling gender-based violence and trafficking through funding the development and improvement of services for victims of domestic violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking, while strengthening cooperation between relevant institutions to secure an integrated approach. The programme will see raised awareness both among victims and specialists in the relevant fields. How will it be achieved? The programme consists of three pre-defined projects, two calls for proposals and a small grants scheme, and it will result in the following: - New support services for victims of domestic and gender-based violence; - Training related to issues of gender-based violence for 150 specialist staff; - Awareness raising campaigns on gender-based violence and trafficking in human beings; - Improved anti-trafficking hotline services; and - New services for victims of sexual exploitation. How will bilateral relations be strengthened? The programme will be implemented in cooperation with the Norwegian Directorate of Health as a donor programme partner (DPP). The DPP will play an active role during the implementation of the programme to ensure that the expected outcomes are achieved through providing technical expertise and advice and to facilitate contact with potential Norwegian project partners.Who can apply for funding under this programme? Public or private, commercial or non-commercial and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as certain inter-governmental organisations are eligible to apply for funding under the programme. Only entities registered in Estonia are eligible as project applicants, and religious organisations are not eligible for funding under the calls. The project size will range from €170,000 to €260,000 under the calls for proposals. There will be two calls for proposals, to be launched in the first half of 2013. A small grants scheme will make available smaller scale funding for NGOs with grants for ranging from €5,000 to €40,000, and it will involve only one call to be launched in the third quarter of 2013.What are the partnership opportunities? The programme is well suited for bilateral project partnerships, and the programme will encourage and support project level partnerships between entities in Estonia and Norway. The Programme Operator will organise informational and networking seminars for potential project promoters in search of Norwegian partners. Confirmed project promoters may apply for funds to facilitate networking and exchanges of best practices between project promoters and entities in Norway.