The European PROGRES development programme published a call for proposals for provision of grants to civil society organisations aiming to improve the position of the Roma community. The grants are to be used to initiate and implement measures in the field of education, employment, social protection, healthcare and security, which should contribute to the social inclusion of Roma individuals. The European Union and the Government of Switzerland have earmarked EUR150 000 for this activity.

Organisations eligible to apply for this call for proposals will include Roma and other civil society organisations, as well as Roma associations, with proven track-record in implementing Roma-related projects. Organisations and associations have to be registered in one of the 34 local self-governments covered by the Programme, or based outside the listed municipalities but in mandatory partnerships with related organisations in one of the 34 Programme municipalities.

“Through this call, the European Union and the Government of Switzerland support the Roma community in Serbia to take active part in piloting and implementing measures for social inclusion of the Roma. We have recognised and will support the potential of the Roma community to make breakthroughs in the process of its integration into society and thus improve its status,” said Graeme Tyndall, European PROGRES Programme Manager.

Each organisation is allowed to submit only one project proposal, and each applicant may be awarded only one grant in the amount which may not be lower than EUR2 000 and higher than EUR10 000 in the dinar equivalent. The funds will be approved only for project proposals related to the objectives set out in the Strategy for Social Inclusion of the Roma, and to the specific measures envisaged within the framework of those objectives and the call.

“The evaluation of projects is a competitive process that will be conducted in two stages. The first stage involves the submission of project concept notes, while at the second stage, applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to attend a training programme through which we want to strengthen their capacities for the implementation of selected measures aimed at improving the socio-economic position of the Roma at local level,” said Ana Nedeljković Manager of the European PROGRES Good Governance and Social Inclusion Sector.

Only those civil society organisations that successfully complete the training programme will be eligible to apply with full-fledged project proposals.

With a view to raising awareness about the requirements of the call for proposals, in May 2016 European PROGRES will hold information sessions for all interested organisations in Southeast and Southwest Serbia.

The call for proposals will be open until 4 July 2016. For more information about the call as well as a detailed list of documentation necessary to apply please visit the website of the European PROGRES http://www.europeanprogres.org/pozivi/sr/

The European Union and the Government of Switzerland will support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, which contributes to the sustainable development of the South and South West Serbia, with a total of 24.46 million euros. Approved projects will be aimed at strengthening local administration, creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improving the implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. The programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Central Finance and Contracts Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia (CFCU).

The municipalities included in the programme are as follows: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, as well as Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka and Knjazevac in South East Serbia.

For more information, media representatives may contact:
Marija Radulovic, Communications Officer, European PROGRES
Cell: +381 (0)63 861 4524,
E-mail: marijara@unops.org

For more information, applicants may contact:
Natasa Ivanovic, Programme Associate for Empowerment of the Vulnerable Groups, European PROGRES
Cell: +381 63 861 4528
E-mail: natasai@unops.org