Partners Albania has opened the 3^rd Call for Proposals in the framework of the subgranting scheme of The ‘Civil Society programme for Albania and Kosovo’ financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) in partnership with Partners Albania for Change and Development (PA). Find below some questions and answers regarding this Call.

Question 1

How much is (should be) the project’s grant in this call (minimum and maximum)?

Answer 1

The total proposed budget size of the applications to be financed by this programme must fall between the following thresholds:

Minimum amount: EUR 25,000 (including audit costs)

Maximum amount: EUR 30,000 (including audit costs)

Question 2

Our mission is very broad, whereby we aim to include our network of expertise and task forces of professionals in a specific thematic area i.e. environment. Can this present a problem for us to apply in this call?

Answer 2

The application is open to all interested NGOs. To be eligible for a full evaluation of proposals, applicants should meet the following mandatory requirements: 1) The mission of the organization is compliant with the thematic area to which the application corresponds; 2) Demonstrate relevant experience in the thematic area; 3) Project proposal is relevant to the thematic area. Evaluation of the above-listed requirements will be carried out by the external Evaluation Board.

Question 3

Is the cooperation with the local level (municipalities) considered as a multilevel dependency?

Answer 3

The cooperation with the local level (municipalities) is not considered as a multilevel dependency. Yet, it depends on the decision-making competencies in the selected area of work and the involvement of other stakeholders/parties.

Question 4

In the case of a partnership, do we need to submit the statute of partner or only of the lead organization?

Answer 4

Only the statute of the lead organization should be submitted.

Question 5

Are the grant beneficiaries of the first and second calls eligible to apply?

Answer 5

Based on the guidelines for applying, the grant beneficiaries of the first and second call for application are not eligible to apply under this call be it as a lead or partner organization.

Question 6

If in the application form there are questions that are not applicable to us, what should we write?

Answer 6

In such cases write N/A.

Question 7

For the third call for proposals, if we are to cooperate with other institutions in implementing the project should we submit the Memorandum of Cooperation?

Answer 7

When active participation/cooperation with other institutions, organizations, or other entities is compulsory for the implementation of the project, only the successful applicants are required to submit the scanned copy of the Memorandum of Cooperation, Letter of support, or any other document indicating clearly the commitment of the respective entity.

Question 8

Is only the application to be submitted in English? 

Answer 8

The scheme operates in the English language.

Question 9

What is included in the administrative expenses?

Answer 9

Administrative expenses can include costs such as bank fees, rent, public utilities, communication, local travel, office material.

Question 10

We plan to use an instrument, which is relatively costly. Instead of purchasing it, we have reached a deal with one of our partners and they will offer it free of charge. My question is: Shall we consider the company as a partner organization although it won’t be involved directly in the project and there are no costs associated with this action?

Answer 10

The applicant may act alone or in partnership with another partner organization. Potential partner organization must satisfy the second eligibility criteria as applicable to the applicant himself: (2) Be registered as a domestic non-governmental/non-for-profit organization, according to the Albanian legislation (branches of foreign and international NGOs registered in Albania are not eligible to apply).

Question 11

 In what detail would you expect the applicant to make the implementation plan for the organizational and technical capacity building?

Answer 11

The Organisational Capacity Building section should be filled in accordance with the instructions provided under this section, in the “Instructions on filling out the application for project grants” document. 

Question 12

Please give us detailed information about the grant agreement mechanism: how would the first advance payment be settled. Would you require the applicant to pay in advance up to a certain amount before making any bank transfer?  Or would you settle the first advance payment and in which % when the grant agreement is signed.

Answer 12

All the funds under this granting scheme will be paid in advance, in accordance with the plan of activities and budget for the period covered. The first advance payment will be disbursed to the grantee upon signature of the grant agreement.

Question 13

Is waste prevention incorporated in the thematic area Environment Protection?

Answer 13

Yes.

Question 14

Should the statute of the organization be translated into English?

Answer 14

No. Application form, logical framework, plan of activities and budget should be in English.

Question 15

Can the project be implemented in a specific municipality or it should cover the whole country?

Answer 15

Applicants may propose interventions that address relevant issues at the local and/or central levels.

Question 16

Are unions eligible to apply in this call?

Answer 16

Only NGOs as per the definition of Law no. 8788, dated 7.5.2001, On Non for Profit Organizations in Albania, amended are eligible to apply.

Question 17

What share of the budget can be allocated to human resources?

Answer 17

There is no limit in the budget to be allocated to human resources. However, note that the biggest share of the budget (>50%) should be dedicated to expenses related to direct project activities and up to 15% of the total proposed budget can be allocated to organizational capacity building.

Question 18

Do you support the Erasmus+ youth program in Albania?

Answer 18

No, not through this call.

Question 19

If during the implementation of the project, we face difficulties with the cooperating partner (institution) can we approach the donor for assistance?

Answer 19

Potential risks should be thought of from the very beginning of project design and as such, they should be reflected in the application form and logical framework along with the proposed mitigation measures. If approached for such challenges, donor might provide suggestions but cannot be directly involved in solving the matter. Note that while listing potential risks and probability of occurrence, lessons learned from previous potential experiences should be taken into consideration.

Question 20

Can a non-Albanian citizen be engaged in the implementation of the project, be it as staff or consultant?

Answer 20

Yes, but their engagement should be in line with the legislation that regulates the employment of foreign nationals in Albania.

Question 21

Can an application that has been submitted to another donor for support, be submitted in this call?

Answer 21

Yes. Information on this should be presented in the application form (question: ‘Have you applied elsewhere with the same project?).

Question 22

As we understand more than 50% of the total budget should be allocated to direct activities while up to 15% to organizational capacity building. How should we distribute the remaining budget?

Answer 22

Allocation of the budget to organizational capacity building is not mandatory. It is subject to the needs of the organization and in case requested, a clear and concise plan justifying the request along with the benefits that this support brings to the organization should be provided in the application form. Note that besides the above, no limit for other budget categories is set.