The new thematic programme “Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development” (NSA & LA Programme), introduced in 2007, covers the following three main components:

The overarching objective of this programme is poverty reduction in the context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and other internationally agreed targets.

The overall conceptual framework for actions is the promotion of an inclusive and empowered society in Belarus. Thematic priorities are necessarily broad, in keeping with the actor-oriented approach of the Programme.

The global objectives of this Call for Proposals are:

• focus on the development of poverty reduction strategies;

• focus on the development of sustainable development strategies.

The specific objectives of this Call for Proposals are:

• Facilitation of equal participation of non-state actors and local authorities in policy dialogue and partnership in policy formulation processes.
• Capacity-building of non-state actors to represent their target groups.
• Strengthening citizens' capacity to engage in discussion and decision-making process at local level through awareness-raising, advocacy and development of campaigns.
• Development of equal, transparent and long-term partnerships between Belarusian and EU partner organisations.

Further to the thematic priorities, under this call for proposals preference will be given to:

• Actions that would propose and be ready to embark on a re-granting scheme in accordance with the specific thematic priorities for Belarus under this call for proposals
• Actions which reach rural and/or remote areas and envisage wide regional coverage of the Belarusian territory.

Previous experience of project implementation in Belarus will be considered a comparative advantage.

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 1 000 000:

• EUR 750.000 for Non-State-Actors
• EUR 250.000 for Local Authorities

Size of grants:

Any grant awarded under this Call for Proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:

Non-State Actor:

• minimum amount: 50 000 €
• maximum amount: 150 000 €

Local Authority:

• minimum amount: 100 000 €
• maximum amount: 200 000 €

Co-financing rate:

• For proposals submitted by Non-State Actors or Local Authorities from Belarus, the grant may not exceed 90% of the total eligible costs of the action.

• For proposals submitted by European Non-State Actors or Local Authorities, the grant may not exceed 75% of the total eligible costs of the action.

Deadline for submission of proposals: May 5, 2009

Fore more information about this Call for Proposals, follow this link or address Information Units for Regional Initiatives (IURIs)