New EU funding opportunities for NGOs

Maltese NGOs, which very often face huge funding difficulties in order to carry out their work, now have the opportunity to tap new EU funds specifically dedicated to their needs.

The opportunity arose following the launch of a new call for proposals yesterday in Brussels by the Directorate General for Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission.

The call for proposals concerns preparatory action to support civil society in the member states which acceded to the European Union last May. NGOs in the other member states may participate but the project lead organisation must come from one of the new member states.

The areas concerned are the rule of law, democracy, fundamental rights, the non-partisan nature of information and the fight against corruption, in the context of Community policies and of implementing Community law. The European Commission noted that alternative funding mechanisms, such as private foundations, are not yet sufficiently developed in the 10 new member states. As a result, many NGOs are confronted with particular difficulties in securing the minimum level of finance needed to undertake actions. "A culture of corporate and individual philanthropy in support of human rights and democracy should therefore be developed," it said.

Opening up the policy-making process to get more people and organisations involved in shaping and delivering EU policy is stated as an objective in the Commission's white paper on European governance.

Further details are available from http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/support_ngo/funding_support_en.htm.

The proposals must reach the Commission by February 15, 2005 and the selected projects could be launched in April 2005 for a 12-month duration.