Local Small Scale Development Projects

Embassy of the Czech Republic

Relevent Country: Armenia

The Embassy of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Armenia is pleased to launch its annual call for proposals for the Local Small Scale Development Projects 2024.

The Local Small Scale Development Projects (SSP) is one of the instruments of the development cooperation of the Czech Republic. SSPs are identified by the respective Embassies of the Czech Republic (through applications submitted by potential implementers) and approved by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CZ MFA). SSPs aim to contribute to the local subject by small-scale development activities in accordance with the beneficiary country’s national development priorities.

Funding Information

  • In Armenia, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Yerevan manages the grants program, while local organizations (e.g. NGOs) implement the projects. The foreseen budget per project is 200 000 – 500 000 CZK (roughly 8 000 – 20 000 EUR).
  • Implementation
  • Implementation of the project can be started only after signing the contract (expected in March 2024).
  • Project implementation must not exceed October 31, 2024 (project billing must also be done by this date).

Geographic Focus

  • Villages and small town communities.
  • Marzes which have established cooperation with Czech regions, Czech NGOs or include towns that have twin partner towns in Czechia. Those are (in alphabetical order): Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori, Syunik, Tavush, Vayots Dzor.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The applicant (implementer of the SSP) must be a registered local subject with legal personality in Armenia, whose basic activity is not profit making.
  • Implementer must be eligible to sign a contract with the CZ MFA that establishes jurisdiction of Czech laws and Czech courts.
  • It is desirable that the implementer cooperates with Czech subjects, e.g. would purchase Czech products, use Czech know-how, etc.
  • Czech financial contribution per project is 200,000 CZK – 500,000 CZK (co-financing from other sources is desirable). They strongly encourage you not to aim at the highest possible threshold of funding.
  • The total sum of personal and travel expenses – salary/fee (project coordinator, financial manager, accountant, administrator, etc.), subsistence allowance, accommodation, travel costs, eventually insurance and vaccination of the experts, must not exceed 25 % of the project’s total costs. They also strongly encourage you to limit personnel and travel expenses, because exaggerated expenditures for salaries and travel reduce chances for funding.
  • Funds are allocated to non-political and non-governmental groups only.
  • Submitted proposals can be changed based on the notice from the Embassy until the deadline set by the Embassy.

Additional Requirements

  • The implementing organization should have had previous experience from cooperation with Czech subjects (Czech NGOs, academia, Czech regional administrations, Czech Embassy, etc.).
  • The project proposals shall be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals as set by the United Nations, and with the Czech Development Cooperation strategy. They strongly encourage you to focus on one specific activity since proposals that are too fragmented have lower chances of funding.
  • Since coronavirus pandemic outbreak and the recent conflict, some social groups have been hit particularly hard. The projects should ideally cover the needs of at least one of the following vulnerable groups as stipulated below:
  • youth
  • women, people with disabilities, national or other minorities
  • populations of extremely isolated rural communities
  • The applicant may submit only one proposal.

Source:https://www.mzv.cz/yerevan/en/economic_relations/development_projects/small_scale_development_projects_2024.html