Government of The Netherlands is calling on Nigerian social entrepreneurs who are primarily focused on small development projects, as well as Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) to apply for funding by March 31, 2018.
“Change makers, innovators, impactful organisations, and inspiring individuals” who are working in accountability space, human rights, politics, culture, ODA and small development projects are being called to “work” with the government as it provides funding for them to realise their goals.
Therefore, social entrepreneurs and CSOs involved in food and agriculture, security, legal order, water management, sexual and reproductive health and rights (that is, those working towards healthy and wanted pregnancies, safe childbirth and free choice of partner) are encouraged to apply for funding as long as these organisations pay “particular attention is paid to women’s rights, climate change and promoting entrepreneurship,” within these themes,
“The embassy has a small fund to support development initiatives in Nigeria related to these topics and gladly receives proposals,” the Dutch government said in a statement on its website.
To access this opportunity, those interested are encouraged to submit a short concept note/’two-pager’ to the embassy by sending an e-mail to BJ@minbuza.nl, with the subject: [Small development projects] for those who are working in the development space.
For those working in culture promotion space, they are expected to submit their concept note consisting only two pages to the same address with the subject [Culture]. Same goes for human rights and accountability fund. The criteria for accessing funding for human rights work are slightly different from the previous two, however. For human rights, the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria said this year, it is especially looking for”proposals that focus on the following themes: freedom of expression, both offline and online, equal rights of LGBTI persons, freedom of religion and belief, equal rights of women and human rights defenders.”
A written statement on the government’s website said that: “there is no prescribed format for submitting Human Rights Fund concept notes. At the very least a concept note should contain a clear description of the project timeframe, budget, goals, activities, results and target audience. Applications that do not contain these minimum requirements will not be taken into consideration. If the concept note passes the initial screening, you will be invited to submit a full project proposal. This may include submitting a relevant track record and references.”
It added that “If you are an individual or NGO working with one of the human rights priorities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and you would like to receive support for your human rights activities/project, please submit a short concept note/’two-pager’ to the embassy by sending an e-mail to ABJ@minbuza.nl, with the subject [Human Rights Fund application]” with a March 31 2018 deadline.
For the Accountability Fund, Dutch it will receive, through its embassy”a large number of project applications, whereas the available budget is sufficient to support only a limited number of projects.” The guidelines for accessing funding are that “project is specifically aimed at improving lobbying and/or advocacy capacity. Service delivery activities are not eligible for funding and will not be taken into consideration; the applicant must fulfil all legal obligations under Nigerian laws; the Accountability Fund is meant for local NGOs; proposals are preferably multiannual and strategic and applications can only be submitted in English, and in the format provided.”
Provided that “your organization complies with the above mentioned criteria and is eligible, you can fill in the application form” and send through “ABJ@minbuza.nl with subject [Accountability Fund].”
Deadline for all applications is March 31, 2018.
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