LocationsThe Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 2 (ReLOaD2) Announces Regional Public Call for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to Submit Project Proposals
July 27, 2023
The ReLOaD2, a collaborative initiative between the European Union and UNDP, is pleased to announce the commencement of its first Regional Public Call for CSOs to submit project proposals. Building on the success of previous phase the four-year ReLOaD2 programme empowers civil society and youth in the Western Balkans (WB) to actively participate in decision-making and foster an enabling legal and financial environment for civil society.
ReLOaD2 operates across the WB region, collaborating with 62 partner local government, and focuses on institutionalizing interactions between local governments and CSOs. By promoting transparent and development-oriented use of public funding, the programme seeks to address local needs through community actions, volunteering, and capacity building. Additionally, ReLOaD2 encourages youth engagement, supports youth initiatives, and seeks to enhance youth economic perspectives.
The Regional Public Call for CSOs invites proposals that align with the following thematic areas: youth volunteering services, intra- and inter-community engagement, regional youth cooperation and exchange, and youth mobility. Project proposals should emphasize community actions, capacity building of young women and men, awareness raising, experience exchange, informal education, and training through the following priority areas:
1. Youth cooperation and mobility through cultural, sports and recreational activities and events,
2. Youth cooperation and community engagement,
3. Youth engagement and volunteering actions related to environmental protection and green agenda,
4. Youth skills development and youth economic empowerment.
Key cross-cutting elements encompass social cohesion, gender equality, environmental protection, and human rights. The call presents an opportunity for CSOs from the Western Balkans, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to cooperate and design projects to empower youth and their skills development, youth engagement and volunteering actions through exchange and intercommunity engagement in the Western Balkans region.
The total amount available for the Regional Public Call is 240,000.00 EUR, and each approved project will receive funding ranging from EUR 30,000.00 to EUR 60,000.00. CSOs are encouraged to incorporate principles of diversity and gender equality into their project designs. Interested CSOs can participate in the call with two project applications—one as the Lead applicant and one as the partner organization.
The application period commences on July 25, 2023 and ends on September 11, 2023. Eligible CSOs should submit completed applications, along with all required documentation, electronically via email to BARegionalPublicCall@undp.onmicrosoft.com. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
To support interested organizations, ReLOaD2 will organize informative sessions (open days) in an online format via Zoom on the following dates:
Session 1, 1 August 2023, starting at 12:00 hours (registration link)
Session 2, 18 August 2023, starting at 12:00 hours (registration link)
Session 3, 31 August 2023, starting at 12:00 hours (registration link)
Additionally, CSOs can submit any queries related to the Regional Public Call to BARegionalPublicCall@undp.onmicrosoft.com, with the email subject: ", with the email subject: "Question - ReLOaD2 Regional Public Call for CSOs." All queries must be submitted by September 5, 2023, and responses will be provided within three (3) working days.
Further details be accessed in the "Guidelines for Applicants" available on the link. For more information about the ReLOaD2 programme, please visit link and follow the accounts on social media: Facebook and Instagram.
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*For the European Union, all references to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with Resolution 1244 (1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. For the United Nations, references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
