The call for intervention projects within the Active Citizens – Regional Fund Program was launched on September 7 (noon) CET. The deadline for submitting proposals in the first round of the call is December 30 (noon) CET.

The objective behind the call for intervention projects is to fund activities which constitute a rapid civic response to crisis situations identified by Applicants, i.e. a sudden change in the social situation or growing problems affecting a specific target group. The planned intervention should respond to specific, urgent problems and provide solutions which are implementable within three (3) to eight (8) months.

These projects must also be aligned with one of the Programme’s three thematic support areas, corresponding with the Programme’s thematic outcomes:

1. Increased support for human rights,
2. Vulnerable groups are empowered,
3. Strengthened democratic culture and civic awareness.

 
The call for intervention projects will prioritise projects concerning the special focus areas defined for the Programme, i.e.

       In Area 1:

1. Actions involving migrants and refugees,
2. Actions supporting LGBT+ persons,
3. Anti-discrimination actions.
   
   In Area 2:
   
   
4. Counteracting domestic violence.
   
   In Area 3:
   
   
5. Watchdog activity,
6. Ensuring residents participation in policy-making at local level.

 
In content-based evaluation, we will award additional points if a substantial part of a project is aligned with a special focus area.

There is one type of quick response (intervention) grants available:

• minimum grant amount: EUR 6,000,
• maximum grant amount: EUR 15,000,
• implementation period: 3 to 8 months,
• co-financing: optional,
• Applicants may apply for additional funding towards bilateral cooperation with Donor State entities: up to 15% of the basic grant amount (up to EUR 2,250).

 
The Operator reserves the right to reallocate funds between rounds.

Application timeline and grant decision deadlines for the first round:

1. Application timeline: 7–20 September 2021 (publication of grant decision: 31 October 2021),
2. Application timeline: 21 September–20 October 2021 (publication of grant decision: 30 November 2021),
3. Application timeline: 21 October–20 November 2021 (publication of grant decision: 23 December 2021),
4. Application timeline: 21 November–20 December 2021 (publication of grant decision: 31 January 2022),
5. Application timeline: 21–30 December 2021 to 12.00 (noon) CET, (publication of grant decision: 28 February 2022).

 
CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Operator of the Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme (ACF Regional, ACFR), i.e. the consortium made up of the Foundation in Support for Local Democracy (leader), the Education for Democracy Foundation, and the Information Society Development Foundation, issues the ongoing call for intervention projects. The Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants.

The total allocation earmarked for quick response (intervention) grants is EUR 542,070, of which EUR 216,828 is allotted to the first round, and EUR 325,242 to the second round.

The Operator reserves the right to reallocate funds between rounds.

Due to the ongoing application and evaluation process, the available financial allocation could be exhausted before the deadline.

The following amounts are allotted to particular support areas corresponding to the Program’s outcomes:

• Outcome 1. Increased support for human rights: EUR 235,665,
• Outcome 2. Vulnerable groups are empowered: EUR 78,555,
• Outcome 3.Strengthened democratic culture and civic awareness: EUR 227,850.

 
All grant applications should contribute to achieving the planned Programme outcomes.

The Programme supports projects implemented across Poland. However, activities cannot take place in the city of Warsaw and the projects beneficiaries cannot be based in Warsaw (though project promoters can be based in Warsaw).

The criteria for selection are, thus, as follows: total score given by experts and allocation for outcomes incl. special focus areas.

The total allocation for the call for intervention projects covers all Poland, and is not divided by region.

The prerequisite condition to obtain the grant is receiving from evaluating experts a score equal to or exceeding 75% of the total possible score. Nonetheless, the limited total allocation amount will not allow for funding all project applications awarded a score above this threshold.

The Operator reserves the right to amend call rules before the second round.

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATION EXAMINATION TIMELINE

Applications deadline:

You can submit intervention project applications on an ongoing basis, in two rounds:

• first round: from 12.00 (noon) CET on 07 September 2021 (Tuesday) to 12.00 (noon) CET on 30 December 2021 (Thursday),
• second round: Q3 2022–Q2 2023 .

 
Applications will only be accepted via the Electronic Grant Application and Management System (EGAMS), available at: http://generator.aktywniobywatele-regionalny.org.pl.

Read the full version of the call for proposals (EN)