The EU launches a project competition for civil society and media organisations

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) has launched a call for proposals under the “INSPIRĂ Moldova” project, funded by the EU. The initiative aims to foster a conducive environment for civil society in Moldova by empowering civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage actively in political discussions at all levels.

Objectives of the call for proposals

The overall objective is to support civil society and media organisations in conducting civic education activities that strengthen the role of civil society in the public sphere. The specific objective is to enhance citizens’ understanding of democratic processes and electoral education, promoting a more informed and engaged civic participation, with a particular focus on encouraging youth involvement.

Funding details

• The funding available for each proposal is EUR 6,500.
• Projects should last between 6 and 9 months and must begin implementation in January 2025.
• Successful applicants will enter into a grant contract with ALDA. Multiple proposals will be funded under this call.
• As selected organisations will be exempt from VAT on costs incurred under this grant, budget proposals must reflect costs excluding VAT.

Eligible activities and priorities for the call for proposals

The following activities are eligible for funding. This list is not exhaustive nor restrictive; other activities may be considered as long as they align with the objectives of the call. These examples are intended to inspire applicants and help them develop effective projects that promote democratic values ahead of Moldova’s Parliamentary elections.

• Organising democratic education activities aimed at increasing citizens’ understanding of electoral processes and civic responsibility.
• Facilitating discussions and holding workshops in youth centres across cities, villages, and districts to engage young people from diverse backgrounds. These should provide an inclusive space for learning about parliamentary elections, democratic values, and the power of their voices.
• Running dynamic multimedia campaigns on the importance of maintaining democratic processes and the significance of voting. These should aim to dispel myths, counter misinformation, and highlight the impact of each vote on Moldova’s future.
• Developing engaging educational materials, such as short films, online quizzes, or animated videos, to highlight the role of democratic institutions and individual voting rights, while emphasising the importance of informed participation in elections.
• Hosting workshops, conferences, and public debates that make civic participation accessible and relevant to young people.
• Publishing materials that raise public awareness of political rights and democratic values (e.g., articles, fact sheets, videos) and social media campaigns.

Priority will be given to proposals that improve Moldovan citizens’ understanding of democratic processes, especially among young people, in order to foster informed voting and encourage electoral participation. Special consideration will be given to projects implemented in rural and regional areas, where civic education and voter participation rates are notably low.

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and engaging civic education activities that promote non-political, evidence-based, and informed public dialogue. Creative approaches are particularly encouraged to inspire youth participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Activities should be interactive, covering complex topics in an accessible and relevant manner, especially for first-time voters and young people in rural areas. The promotion of intergenerational and multi-stakeholder dialogue in the election process is also encouraged.

Ineligible activities

The following activities are ineligible for funding:

• Actions focused primarily on individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, or congresses.
• Activities mainly relating to individual scholarships for studies or training courses.
• Actions supporting political parties or candidates during elections.
• Retroactive funding for projects that are already underway or completed.
• Projects providing exclusive benefits to individuals or small groups.
• Activities within the formal education sector, except in special circumstances.
• Projects that harm the environment or involve the purchase of equipment not directly related to project implementation.

Application and selection process

The following outlines the key stages of the application and selection process, from the publication of the guidelines to the commencement of project implementation.

Key dates

• Call opens: Tuesday, 6 November 2024
• Online information session: Wednesday, 20 November 2024 at 14:00 (Chisinau time). Register [here].
• Deadline for proposal submissions: Monday, 2 December 2024 at 23:59 (Chisinau time).
• Proposal evaluation: 2 – 10 December 2024
• Negotiation, finalisation, and award: 11 – 18 December 2024
• Project implementation period: 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025 (6 to 9 months within this period).

For any further questions, please feel free to email aldamoldova@alda-europe.eu, mentioning the title of this call for proposals, before 25 November 2024.