On 22 November three open calls for project proposals totaling €2.2 million was launched for Slovak NGOs working within the fields of environmental protection, human rights and social inclusion. The total amount earmarked to NGOs through the three block grants is €5 million, of which Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are contributing with 85 percent and Slovakia 15 percent.
Environmental NGO Fund
The first of the newly launched Slovak NGO Funds targets environmental NGOs. The €2 million fund, managed by the Ekopolis Foundation, is aimed at increasing the participation of environmental NGOs in addressing challenges related to sustainable development in Slovakia.
The €0.7 million call will be open until 29 February 2008, and projects can be submitted within the fields of protection of the environment, sustainable energy, food safety, and environmental education. Support will be awarded to environmental NGOs to enhance their capacity to effectively participate in public discussions, propose and implement innovative solutions to environmental problems and their solving as well as creating functional partnerships between the non-profit and public sector.
The second Slovak NGO fund is managed by the Open Society Foundation and totals €1.5 million. Support will be awarded to innovative NGO projects contributing to the overarching goals of creating effective tools to eliminate social stereotypes, prejudice and to strengthen the judiciary and human rights advocacy, multiculturalism, non-discrimination, principles of legal state, democracy, human rights and freedom.
In the €0.7 million first open call NGOs can apply for support to their projects within the areas of 'human rights protection', 'right to equal treatment', 'strengthening of the judiciary', and 'strengthening of a multicultural environment'. The deadline for submitting applications is 4 February 2008.
The third of the Slovak NGO funds is intermediated by the SOCIA Foundation. The €1.5 million fund has been set up to strengthen the capacity of NGOs that offer support to children, youth and families at risk of social exclusion.
The €0.8 million allocated to the first call for proposals will be used to fund projects that support families and children in need or in crisis situations, help young people and adults in encouraging their further personal growth and development, or support the institutional development of NGOs supplying social and community services to children, youth and families at risk of social exclusion. The deadline for project submission is 31 January 2008.