Partners Albania has opened the Call for Proposals in the framework of the subgranting scheme of The ‘Civil Society programme for Albania and Kosovo’ is 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).

Question 1

If a project proposal includes infrastructure intervention in some institutions (such as Universities), as part of the bigger intervention, should we submit together with the project proposal the official permits (legal/construction) from the respective public authorities, or these permits should be submitted in a later phase, after the approval of the proposal?

Answer 1

Each document that is compulsory for the implementation of the project, and the achievement of its objectives, should be included in the application. As stated in section III. APPLICATION PROCEDURE – “When active participation/cooperation with other institutions, organizations or other entities is compulsory for the implementation of the project, the scanned copy of the Memorandum of Cooperation, Letter of support or any other document indicating clearly the commitment of the respective entity. In addition, consider that “interventions that are subject to multilevel dependency and approval, thus posing a high risk for achieving result” will be considered as Ineligible interventions/activities”.

Question 2

Our organization is a local organization newly established. As a result of this, our organization can’t provide the budget data from 2015 to 2017 as requested in the organization identity form. Does this represent a liability for us or are we eligible to apply for this grant?

Answer2

Organizations that cannot provide budget data for three years (2015-2017) and do not submit financial statements for the last two years (NPOs in Albania) are not eligible to apply in this Call for Proposal. However, such organizations can enter as a partner organization into a partnership with another leading organization.

Question 3

In the call for proposals under ‘Civil Society programme for Albania and Kosovo” can we apply for the provision of services to children with disabilities? Is it eligible to apply for direct social services to the target group?

Answer 3

Yes, if the provision of direct social services to the principal beneficiaries/target-group targets one of the thematic areas of the call for proposals, and aim to deliver concrete results that feed the overall goal of the programme. The proposal should seek proactive and direct contribution in the respective area.

Question 4

What type of activities are considered under “Activities which are of service nature and rather belong to the Technical Assistance”?

Answer 4

It refers to services and technical assistance for public institutions.

Question 5

Are the independent media registered as businesses eligible to apply in this call?

Answer 5

As specified in the Call for project proposals and guidelines for application, this call is for Non for Profit Organisations (NPO-s), as per the definition of the Law no. 8788, dated 7.5.2001 on Non for Profit Organizations in Albania.

Question 6

Should the organizations apply only in Albania or Kosovo as well?

Answer 6

NPOs from Albania should submit the documents at norapplication@partnersalbania.org whereas NGOs from Kosovo at norapplication@kcsfoundation.org.

Question 7

Can an NPO from Albania apply in partnership with an organization from Kosovo?

Answer 7

As explained in the Call for project proposals and guidelines for application, projects shall be country-specific and address challenges within the selected country. NPOs can apply for interventions only in their respective country, therefore, only partnerships with NPOs from Albania are allowed.

Question 8

Where can we access the templates for the ‘Plan of Activities’ and ‘Budget’?

Answer 8

The templates are in the same excel where the logical framework is but in different sheets.

Question 9

Where can we access the templates for application in the Albanian language?

Answer 9

Templates for application are only in English, as for this scheme the applications are accepted only in this language.

Question 10

Can an institution be a partner in application?

Answer 10

No, only partnerships with other NGOs are allowed.

Question 11

Can the project be composed of advocacy and research?

Answer 11

Yes, but the latter only if it is imperative for the achievement of the intended project results.

Question 12

What is the role of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina in decision making?

Answer 12

The Royal Norwegian Embassy will be consulted before any final decisions are made. The Embassy reserves the right to reject the project proposals.

Question 13

If a project contributes to more than one priority area will it be considered as an advantage in the application phase?

Answer 13

The proposed interventions (projects) should target only one of the thematic areas of the call for proposals.

Question 14

Should the applying organization co-fund the project?

Answer 14

Co-funding is not mandatory for this call for project proposals.

Question 15

Can an NGOs be a partner in more than one application?

Answer 15

Yes, but note that as explained in the Call for project proposals and guidelines for application an application may have only one lead applicant and one partner organization.

Question 16

Can an institution co-fund the project?

Answer 16

Yes, but in the case of co-funding, the co-funding proof (e.g. contract, decision, letter of commitment, etc.) should be submitted.

Question 17

Can a foreign government non-for –profit institution be a partner in the application?

Answer 17

The partner should be a non-profit organization as per the definition of the Law no. 8788, dated 7.5.2001 on Non for Profit Organizations in Albania. Moreover, branches of foreign and international NPOs registered in Albania are not eligible to apply.

Question 18

Should we deliver the application electronically or submit them in hard-copy?

Answer 18

Applications can only be sent in electronic form. NPOs from Albania should submit the completed applications at norapplication@partnersalbania.org.

 Question 19

If the organization is newly registered and with less experience in the thematic area, is the experience of staff (management) of the organization considered?

Answer 19

Grants will be awarded to active NPOs with mission and demonstrated experience in the thematic area to which the application corresponds.

 Question 20

Is the relevant experience of the partner’s organization evaluated within the criteria “Demonstrate relevant experience in the thematic area”?

Answer 20

Relevant experience is a condition to be fulfilled by the lead implementing partner. 

Question 21

Can you send us via email the criteria for application for the call for proposals?

Answer 21

Call for project proposals and guidelines for application and documents for application can be accessed at https://partnersalbania.orgNews/thirrje-per-aplikim-programi-i-shoqerise-civile-per-shqiperine-dhe-kosoven/

 Question 22

Are individuals eligible to apply for this call?

Answer 22

No. Not-for-profit organizations from Albania operating as per the Law on Non-For-Profit  Organizations in Albania are eligible to apply in this call.

Question 23

Are the two footnotes at the end of the second page related to the call or just information on the project of Council of Europe?

Answer 23

The two footnotes shown at the end of the second page are references to the information provided in section i. Introduction, therefore, have nothing to do with the application. 

Question 24

When submitting the budget of the project, do we have to include the own funding of the project or only budget financed by NOR call? In our case, total budget is 65,000 EUR whereas 25,000 EUR own funding?

Answer 24

As presented in the budget template, the amount requested to be supported by the Norwegian programme for CSOs is to be presented in a separate column to the amount supported by other Donor (specify donor).

Question 25

The budget in disposal is only for Albania or for Kosovo as well?

Answer 25

60% of the total budget of EUR 650,000 is dedicated to Kosovo and 40% to Albania. 

Question 26

Can the implementation of the project start later than January 2019?

Answer 26

The implementation of the selected projects is expected to start in January 2019. 

Question 27

Can one organization benefit from more than one grant?

Answer 27

Organizations may apply with only one application as a lead applicant. An application may have only one lead applicant and one partner organization. 

Question 28

Since roundtable discussions and research and feasibility studies are not supported from this call, what activities can be proposed?

Answer 28

Conferences or roundtable discussions and Research and feasibility studies, especially as a tool to design the rest of the intervention will be supported only when they are imperative for the achievement of the intended project results. 

Question 29

Can the awareness-raising campaigns for sewage discharge be included in the project proposal?

Answer 29

Activities which are of service nature for public institutions and awareness-raising campaigns without proper follow up will not be supported.

Question 30

Is it a problem if there is no equal gender distribution of beneficiaries in the project proposal?

Answer 30

For the principal beneficiaries, equal gender participation should be targeted. Whenever possible, a similar approach is to be followed also for the inclusion of under-represented groups.

 Question 31

Should the responsible person sign the application?

Answer 31

The application should be signed by the Executive Director and Partner Organization if applicable. 

Question 32

Are the activities that help reduce the unemployment of people with eyesight difficulties eligible?

Answer 32

Activities that contribute to the overall goal of the programme, those that target one of the five thematic areas and are in line with the rules of the call are eligible. 

Question 33

Can training and campaigns be supported?

Answer 33

Activities that contribute to the overall goal of the programme, those that target one of the five thematic areas and are in line with the rules of the call are eligible. 

Question 34

Is partnership with another NPO mandatory and will partnerships have an advantage?

Answer 34

Partnership with another NPO is not mandatory and partnerships between NPOs will not be considered an advantage. 

Question 35

Is a project proposal similar to another one supported by Partners Albania eligible?

Answer 35

Same or very similar interventions to those supported by Partners Albania through other implemented grant schemes will not be supported. 

Question 36

Are the schools eligible to apply for this call?

Answer 36

No. Not-for-profit organizations from Albania operating as per the Law on Non-For-Profit  Organizations in Albania are eligible to apply in this call. 

Question 37

Should the year of the establishment be presented and is it a condition for application?

Answer 37

All the information required in the Instructions and Application form should be addressed accordingly. Moreover, as presented in section II of the Call for project proposals and guidelines for application to be eligible for financing, among other conditions, applicants should have a mission that is in line with the thematic area to which the application corresponds, and show relevant capacity and experience with regard to the proposed project. 

Question 38

Can NPOs that are implementing projects financed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina apply in this call?

Answer 38

Royal Norwegian Embassy in Prishtina will be consulted before any final decisions are made. The Embassy reserves the right to reject the project proposals.