G R A N T S
The future of REC's NGO Grants Program
The new year and the organizational changes at the REC have also brought some changes for the REC's granting programs. These changes will affect the total amount of funding available in 1997 and also the structure of the grants programs. The newly restructured Grants Department, which will now coordinate all REC grants, has prepared the following article to answer some of the most important inquiries regarding the future of the REC's grants program.
What is the future of REC's grants programs and REC's NGO support in general?
Much of the REC's foundation in the region was built upon support to environmental nongovernmental organizations and the Center remains committed to their growth and development. In many ways NGOs still represent the cornerstone to the democracy-building processes in the CEE countries which in turn is an integral part of the REC's overall mission of improving the environment in the region. However, with its revised mission, the REC has also committed to work with other stakeholders in the environment as well.
While the number of environmental NGOs has increased dramatically in the region there is still a great need for NGO support. This message has been clearly heard here at the REC and further confirmed by the REC's recent NGO Needs Assessment, which showed that in all CEE countries, the NGOs are still dependent on outside help. This needs assessment further found that the REC is one of the primary funding sources for these NGOs and the only organization which offers assistance to environmental organizations on the regional level, and which can assure a maximum degree of transparency in its granting program. This is an important and unique role which the REC aims to continue in the future.
Nevertheless, NGOs must begin to realize that in the long run, funding, particularly from Western countries, will become more and more scarce. In order to help NGOs respond to this situation, the REC is planning to focus more on the development of NGO fundraising skills to encourage NGOs to find other sources of income, and to help them become less dependent on the REC for grants. In 1997, and beyond, the REC will continue providing grants, information services, and training programs such as the Junior Fellowship Program as well as other programs which have a focus on NGOs, such as the Public Participation Program. In the future however, the REC's grants programs will have a slightly different face.
FROM BULGARIA TO POLAND, REC grants have supported NGO projects to improve public participation and the environment throughout the region.
How much financial support will the REC give to NGOs in 1997?
The financial support which the REC will be able to make available to NGOs in form of grants depends on the funds the REC itself receives from its donors. In 1997, the funding situation of the REC is not as healthy as in the previous years. Therefore, there are serious cuts to the grants programs, as well as in other programs. These cuts reflect the REC's financial reality and the priorities of donors in providing funds for NGOs, rather than a shift in policy at the REC regarding NGOs. Funding which has been secured for 1997, allows the REC to assure that the following funds are available through the grants programs: Earmarked Grants: 100,000 ECU, Local Grants: 400,000 ECU for 15 countries.
What is REC doing to increase the volume of its grants program?
The amounts mentioned above reflect the actual existing funds of the REC for granting activities. Additionally the REC staff both in Head Office and in the Local Offices are stepping up fundraising efforts for the grants programs. The results of this fundraising will determine the future of the grants program. The challenge will be to prove to donors that support of NGOs in the region (and not only through the REC) is still crucial and that failing to provide support to NGOs will have a serious effect on the state of the environment in the region.
Have there been any results of the REC's fundraising efforts so far?
Fundraising is a pursuit with few guarantees. This uncertainty will directly affect the schedule of the grants programs. As the results of the REC's fundraising initiatives are difficult to predict, it will not be possible, as in previous years, to announce the full schedule for the granting programs at the beginning of the year. At this time however, it seems likely that for the earmarked grants program (in addition to the 100,000 ECU mentioned above) there will be a special call for tender for NGO preparation for the 1998 Aarhus conference of environmental ministers. The REC has been working for several months to raise funds to support the NGO component of the Aarhus conference. For this topic, the Danish government, which will host the conference, was approached and it is expected that they will support special grants on the ÒRoad to AarhusÓ A final decision will be made at the end of May. Once the REC receives confirmation a call for tender will be made for this initiative.
Meanwhile, the REC Local Offices have invested considerable time and resources in local fundraising. While the availability of local funding sources varies greatly from country to country there has been some success. The Finnish government has committed to give additional support to the REC Local Grants Program in the Baltic countries; and the Czech and Croatian governments have indicated that they will continue their support to the Local Grants program this year.
Are there any changes in the set-up of the grants programs?
Yes. While not drastic, there are some important changes.
Earmarked grants
Regionwide cooperation has become increasingly important to environmental problem solving and is a key goal in the REC's mission. The response to the last call for tender on cooperative projects was enthusiastic and produced a number of promising proposals. Therefore the Grants Department plans to continue this effort. In the first half of 1997 (watch for the call for tender), the REC will announce another call for tender in the amount of about 100,000 ECU for cooperative projects. It will closely resemble the 1996 call, including the two part process of producing a concept paper followed by a full formal application. Prior to the announcement, the guidelines and forms will be revised to make them easier to read and use. During this time comments on last year's guidelines are welcomed.
Local Grants
The Local Grants Program which provides smaller grants to NGOs for their operating expenses, training and education activities and for local projects will continue much the same as it has in previous years. Grant amounts vary from country to country and the REC Local Offices, in cooperation with local advisory boards, announce and manage the grants. For more information please contact your Local Office, see page 3 for addresses.
A New Grants Program: National Grants
In order to stimulate constructive discussion and cooperation between environmental NGOs and other stakeholders such as local and national governments and businesses on the most important environmental issues of the region, the REC plans to institute a National Grants Program. Grants of up to 10,000 ECU will be offered to NGOs working in cooperation with government, business, and/or other NGOs to solve national-level environmental problems. The project will be administered by the Local Office Network with assistance from the Head Office Grants Department. As is the case for other programs, the REC is in the process of approaching donors to support this initiative. The development of guidelines is underway for a pilot phase which will likely launch the first national grants in Bulgaria and Romania. With this new element in its granting program, the REC intends to bridge the gap between the Earmarked and Local Grants by providing funding for projects of specific national importance.
Grants for Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
In 1997, the REC will provide grants in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Yugoslavia. While NGOs from these countries are now welcome to participate in the earmarked grants program, additional funding in the form of small grants of up to 1,000 ECU per project will be available. The guidelines for these grants are in preparation and the first grants will be awarded in the second half of 1997. In total, the following amounts will be available for grants:
Bosnia-Herzegovina: 10,000 ECU
Yugoslavia: 7,000 ECU
For more information about the REC's grants to NGOs, contact the Grants Department at
E-mail: ajuras@rec.org or the REC Local Offices
REC * PUBLICATIONS * THE BULLETIN * WINTER 1996
