Research topics:

1. Mechanisms and practice of consultation, coordination and cooperation between state and non-state actors (civil society, public and private interests groups etc.) in the design and implementation (monitoring & assessment) of EU driven reforms in different areas (preferably those in fight against corruption and environment); 
2. Progress, challenges and policy advice to create appropriate administrative and judicial structures in order to apply Community rules and procedures; 
3. Policy recommendations towards closer alignment of the country’s social policy to the acquis (including social dialogue); or
4. Regional policies in the context of EU accession.

The aim of the project is to strengthen civil society by developing the advocacy skills its involvement in reform processes and the public debate on the accession process through providing grants to local organisations and individuals with civil society background.

WHO MAY APPLY:

Individuals, citizens of these 3 countries, under 40 years old (including journalists and M.A. students in the last year of their studies)

Civil society organizations registered in Albania, Macedonia or Montenegro (here all non-for-profit actors are eligible)

THE PROJECT OUTPUTS SHOULD BE:

Policy document

At the beginning of the research period (February 2012), Pontis Foundation with BCSDN and member organizations will organize training for all grantees in policy paper writing in the applicants’ countries. BCSDN and the Pontis Foundation can offer assistance in distributing the policy products to all relevant institutions. Additionally, policy papers will be posted on the BCSDN and Pontis web sites (the conditions for the size and the length of the policy paper can be found in the project proposal template).

Authors of the best policy papers will have an opportunity to participate in a round table in Brussels to present the results of their research projects to the representatives of the EU institutions and other stakeholders.

Series of media products - (applicable only for journalists)

One public event – roundtable, lecture, public presentation, radio or TV discussion about the policy paper.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

An evaluation committee will select grant recipients by the end of December 2011. After signing a contract, grantees will have time till 30th of June 2011 to implement their projects. The evaluation board is consisted of 5 members: 3 local experts from the countries, one expert from Slovakia and one representative of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The proposals will be evaluated upon these criteria: originality, relevance, preparation of the project implementation, target group, background of the applicant and appropriateness of the financial costs.

The CfP is organized within the framework of Slovak – Balkan Public Policy Fund funded by Slovak Aid. More information about the project can be found on www.pontisfoundation.sk and www.balkancsd.net.

All interested individuals/organizations should send the full application by November 30, 2011. The documents should be sent to BCSDN executiveoffice@balkancsd.net.

The required documents are:

• CV (English)
• Cover page (model is attached)
• Project proposal (model is attached)
• Budget (model is attached)

Only full applications in one document sent electronically will be taken into consideration.

GRANT AMOUNTS:

For individuals – max. 3000 EUR

(Eligible costs: fee/salary contribution, communication costs, purchase of publications, traveling, organisation of a public event, etc.)

For organizations – max. 5000 EUR

(Eligible costs: fee for the researcher/salary and for a possible assistant, communication costs, purchase of publications, traveling etc.)

Please contact Ms. Ilina Nesik (ins@balkancsd.net) for more information.