Background information
The EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 represent funding from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen cooperation with 15 EU countries in Northern, Central and Southern Europe. For the period 2014-2021, a total contribution of €2.8 billion has been agreed.
As described in article 3.2.b of Protocol 38c of the EEA agreement, funding shall be earmarked for support to civil society organisations in each of the 15 beneficiary states.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of the 2014-21 EEA and Norway Grants Financial Mechanisms, signed by the three donor states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Poland on 20 December 2017, specifies that there are two Active Citizens Funds in Poland, the Active Citizens Fund-National and the Active Citizens Fund-Regional. The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO), the Brussels-based secretariat for the EEA and Norway Grants, shall be Programme Operator of both Funds, and they shall have different Fund Operators.
Programme allocation and objective
The allocation to the Active Citizens Fund–Regional in Poland for the period 2014-2021 is EUR23,000,000 (see Memorandum of Understanding).
The objective of the Civil Society Programme Area is: ‘Civil society and active citizenship strengthened and vulnerable groups empowered’. The Active Citizens Fund–Regional shall seek to develop the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, with the aim of strengthening its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights outside the capital city of Warsaw. More information on the objectives, principles, thematic areas of support and design of the programme can be found in the Terms of Reference (see link below).
Submission of bid
The Fund Operator will be responsible for the development and implementation the Active Citizens Fund - Regional in Poland. The Terms of Reference, Bid form and annexes are provided in the links below. The deadline for submission of bids is 4 June at 12:00 CET.
Questions regarding the tender documents and bid process
Please consult the frequently asked questions document on the EEA and Norway Grants website for extensive guidance on the tender documents and bid process. In the interest of transparency and fairness, questions regarding the tender and responses to them are made publicly available in the ‘Questions and Answers’ document. Further questions regarding the tender can be addressed to acfund@efta.int. Please specify the country and organisation name in the subject line of your email (see section 6.4 of the Terms of Reference for further information on submission of and responses to questions).
Bid documents:
Annex C: Template Programme Implementation Agreement
Annex D: Suggested Outcomes and Outcome Indicators for the Active Citizens Fund
Annex E: Manual for Fund Operators of the Active Citizens Fund
Annex F: Reference documents, provided for bidder’s information (see Terms of Reference)