Invitation to bid: Fund Operator for the Active Citizens Fund in Bulgaria

The Financial Mechanism Office – the secretariat of the EEA and Norway Grants – is seeking a Fund Operator to develop and implement the EEA Grants programme for civil society in Bulgaria 2014-2021 (the "Active Citizens Fund"). This is the invitation to bid.

Background information

The EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 represent funding from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen cooperation with 15 EU countries in Northern, Central and Southern Europe. For the period 2014-2021, a total contribution of €2.8 billion has been agreed.

As described in article 3.2.b of Protocol 38c of the EEA agreement, funding shall be earmarked for support to civil society organisations in each of the 15 beneficiary states.

Programme allocation and objective

In Bulgaria, the allocation to the Active Citizens Fund (the civil society programme) is EUR 15 500 000 (see Memorandum of Understanding).

The objective of the Civil Society Programme Area is: "Civil society and active citizenship strengthened and vulnerable groups empowered" The Active Citizens Fund 2014-2021 in Bulgaria shall seek to develop the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, with the aim of strengthening its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights. More information on the objectives, principles, thematic areas of support and design of the programmes can be found in the Terms of Reference (see link below).

Submission of bid

The Fund Operator will be responsible for the development and implementation the Active Citizens Fund in Bulgaria.

The Terms of Reference, Bid form and annexes are provided in the link below.

The deadline for submission of bids is 20 March 2017 at 12:00 (noon) CET. 

An online webinar information session for potential applicants will be organised in February 2017. Please keep an eye on this website for further details.

Any questions should be addressed to acfund@efta.int . Please specify the country and organisation name in the subject line of your email (see section 6.4 of the Terms of Reference for further information on submission of and responses to questions).  

Bid documents can be found here http://eeagrants.org/News/2017/Invitation-to-bid-Fund-Operator-for-the-Active-Citizens-Fund-in-Bulgaria