FCRA PROJECT: GERMAN FEDERAL FOREIGN OFFICE-SMALL SCALE EMBASSY PROJECTS.

ame of funding agency: German Federal Foreign Office.

Name of grant programme: Small Scale Embassy Projects.

Background: The Federal Government provides embassies and consulates with small budgets for supporting small scale projects in the field of technical cooperation. In 2009 the Federal Foreign Offices supported nearly 1,000 micro-projects with a total of €7.1 million.

Types of Grant: This scheme is especially targeted at local organisations and self-help initiatives working at the grassroots level.

Grant Size: As a rule, the grant size does not exceed €25,000.

Own Contribution: Own contribution is desired, but not a prerequisite for funding.

Funding Priorities:

The aim of the micro-project scheme is to improve the basic needs of the poor and most vulnerable population groups in a non-bureaucratic and efficient manner. Rural development is prioritised, in particular food security, power supply, protection of natural resources, education and training. Moreover, measures aimed at the enhancement of democratic structures and human rights, as well as women’s rights may be sponsored. The project’s positive impact on the local population should be clearly demonstrated. Personnel costs or costs for salaries, administration and travel cannot be funded.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Projects will not be funded if the applicant is receiving funds from other sources

• Projects must not already be benefitting from part of development aid activities of the German government

• Projects do not create additional costs after being funded once.

• Projects should be completed within the same fiscal year in which funding has been provided.

Guidelines: To obtain the correct guidelines for your country, please consult your local German embassy for more information.

The following costs can not be funded through this funding:

• Salaries of your organisation’s workers

• Administration and travel expenses

• Operational and recurring costs in general

• Acquisition of land

• Allocation of loans

Project Duration: The maximum project duration is one year (January 1st –December 31st).

Deadline:

No deadline applies, but it is advisable to contact the embassy, consulate or German representative at least a few months before the end of the calendar year.

Application Forms: The specific application procedures may differ from country to country. Please send a request to the nearest German embassy or representative for information on sponsorship of small-scale projects for technical cooperation.

Application and Procedures: The embassies, consulates and representatives are responsible for making the grant decision. The German institutions will consider the quality and reputation of the NGO or institutions looking for support, evaluate the project, its layout and target group, check whether additional costs might arise after completion of the project, and evaluate the quality and outcomes of the project.

Tips: 

• Contact the embassies, consulates and representatives before officially applying for funding. Annual themes, regional preferences and budget limitations may impact the current funding priorities

• Make sure that representatives from the German institutions within your country are aware of activities and plans for your projects in the fields for which support is sought before you ask for funding.

• Cooperation with a German NGO or institution is not a prerequisite to be eligible for funding, but this may offer additional help to establish the necessary contacts with the German representatives and may assist in avoiding procedural difficulties or other obstacles VENRO can also be contacted for more general information on development cooperation and on accredited NGOs.