Reducing Disparities and Strengthening Relations: NGO Programmes in Bulgaria, Estonia, Malta, Latvia, and Lithuania

1. ReducingdisparitiesStrengtheningrelations NGO Programmes SOFIA, November 2012 Gabriela Voicu, Senior Sector Officer, Civil Society, FMO

2. Funds for Non-Governmental Organisations Core areas of support Additional area of support Environmental protection and climate change Provision of welfare and basic services Democracy, Human rights including minorities rights Good governance and transparency Participatory democracy Combat racism and xenophobia, Anti-discrimination Social inequalities, poverty and exclusion, including in rural areas Gender equality and Gender-based violence At least 10% for children and youth-driven organisations and or activities

3. Approved Programmes • Bulgaria - Open Society Institute • €11.7M • Supporting social inclusion, anti-discrimination, active citizenship, good governance and transparency • Addressing specific needs of vulnerable groups, including Roma • Promoting democracy building, human rights, access to rights and environmental protection • Estonia -Open Estonia Foundation • €2.3M • Promoting multicultural dialogue and integration of minorities • Developing social services with focus on activities targeting children and youth • Promoting democratic values and human rights, NGO capacity building and advocacy • Malta –SOS Malta • €500,000 • Address the specific needs of migrants, gender related issues and combating domestic violence • Capacity building

4. Approved Programmes • Latvia -Society Integration Foundation • €10.9 • Support for multicultural dialogue, integration of minorities, and NGO capacity building • 50% to support provision of welfare services, social inclusion, children and youth at risk and gender equality • Lithuania - Human Rights Monitoring Institute • €5.5M • Cooperation with municipalities and local communities to address gender-based violence • Cooperation with civil society in Belarus • NGO capacity building, human rights and fighting discrimination, gender equality and environmental protection

5. Programmes - Not yet approved Programmes with a designated Fund Operator

6. Programmes - not yet approved Programmes in which the Fund Operator not yet designated

7. Capacity building activities A specific focus is placed on ensuring capacity building of the sector. Examples • Organise project planning workshops for potential applicants to improve project planning and proposal writing skills of NGOs; • Help desk, dedicated workshops and general communication actions as well as coaching for the applicants during the preparatory phase; • Methodological support in regard to planning, monitoring and reporting of projects for the project promoters; • Training and assistance on visibility and public relations for NGOs; • Promoting the rights of the Roma population through capacity building services that foster cooperation and civil dialogue between public and Roma NGOs

8. Complementary actions A fund for complementary actions are available within each programme in order to exchange experience with regard to the implementation of the programme across beneficiary states and/or with their Donor Programme Partners or other relevant entities in the donor states. Examples • A programme launching conference to exchange experiences and to foster cooperation among Programme Operators • Participation in thematic workshops and other events organized by the Council of Europe. • Regional conference on Roma discrimination and inclusion to exchange knowledge and best practices on common concerns related to the civil society in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. • Final conference on good practices, future trends and to disseminate the achievements and impact of the Fund

9. Horizontal concerns and cooperationwith Council of Europe Tolerance/ multicultural societies Roma Sexual harassment Violence against women Trafficking Horizontal concerns • Hate speech • Extremism • Racism • Homophobia • Anti-Semittism

10. Horizontal concerns and cooperationwith other institutions Agency for Fundamental Rights • Building alliances on specific topics of common interest (e.g. hate crime) • Operators might consider participation in the Fundamental rights Platform coordinated by FRA Council of Europe • The Council of Europe has long been engaged in setting standards on human rights and furthering democracy and the rule of law in Europe. • The Council of Europe contributes within its core areas of expertise — human rights, democracy and the rule of law. • Is directly involved as a partner in 18 specific programmes in nine beneficiary countries.

11. Timeline • Most programmes approved by end of 2012 • Open calls and project selection picking up pace in 2013 • Implementation of projects - peak 2014-2015 • Results and impact 2015-16 • Closing of grant schemes 2016-17 – final reports

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