The European Union has made 4.3 million euros worth of funding available for development initiatives proposed by local authorities, non-state actors and civil society organisations in Laos.
The funding will be allocated to the most promising projects and initiatives, after an initial ‘call for proposals' where all interested local authorities, civil society organisations and community groups can submit proposals for various poverty reduction initiatives in Laos.
The overarching ob-jective of the programme is to facilitate the active participation of non-state actors and local authorities in poverty alleviation initiatives in a context of sustainable development, including the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Laos, Mr Michel Goffin, announced an open call for proposals from interested applicants in Vientiane yesterday, outlining the general principles of the kind of proposals they were seeking.
“Under this call for proposals, projects can be in any sector that contributes to poverty alleviation, but the action should also prioritise areas where the most vulnerable households are located and preferably build on applicants' previous successf ul experience,” he said.
Eligible applicants must be either European or Lao non-state actors including NGOs, civil society organisations, local authorities (at provincial, district or village level), organisations representing indigenous peoples or ethnic groups, trade unions, women's unions, youth organisations, media and academic institutions.
Out of the 4.3 million euros, 300,000 euros is reserved for applications from local authorities seeking funding for development activities under the jurisdiction of their local administration.
The European Union programme to fund non-state actors and local authorities was introduced in Laos in 2007, promoting grassroots development initiatives by working with non-state actors and local authorities, who have extensive knowledge of local communities and broad networks to reach them.
This know-how and infrastructure is very valuable when it comes to determining the development needs of local communities, allocating resources and overseeing local development projects.
The programme is currently providing funding f or 13 ongoing projects with a total value of almost 7 million euros; targeting the most vulnerable people in rural poor and remote areas of Laos, aiming to improve health and educational outcomes and develop more self-sufficient communities.
The deadline for the submission of concept notes for proposed initiatives is Monday May 21 at 4pm.
All eligible proposals must be initiatives designed to achieve one or more of the Millennium Development Goals, and preferably focused on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society.
All applications for funding must be received by legal persons and entities engaged in non-profit making development and poverty reduction initiatives.
Lao non state actors must have been registered organisations or entities for a period of at least two years previous to making an application for funding.
Guidelines for this call for proposals are published on the EU Delegation's website at http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/laos/funding_opportunities/grants/index_en.htm and are available for perusal at the European Union Delegation in Vientiane.
