The Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS) is pleased to announce a Small Grants Program for the non governmental/non for profit organizations of Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti to contribute to forging a common understanding and vision of the Georgian state among the citizens of Georgia and promote a national integration process in line with the principles of modern, democratic state.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 14:00 p.m. on October 25, 2013.

The Small Grants Program is made possible through the financial support of the Government of Finland.

Background and Program Description:

The determination of the Georgian government to create a cohesive state based on a civic identity that brings together the interests of all the peoples residing on the territory of Georgia has been expressed in the National Concept and Action Plan for Tolerance and Civic Integration adopted by the government in May 2009.

The National Concept and Action Plan outline six main directions for the government's intervention during a five year period (2009-2014). These are: rule of law, education and state language, media and access to information, political integration and civil participation, social and regional integration, and culture and preservation of identity.

It is expected that the small grant awards will follow the priority areas as identified in the National Concept and will promote a national integration process by supporting innovative ideas and creative approaches. The awards might also support projects not limited by the areas included in the concept, in case interventions offered will produce long-lasting effect on the integration process.

The geographic priorities of the small grants program are Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti, though the proposals can include actions targeting capital based governmental or civic institutions or other regions/areas where ethnic minority related issues are present in addition to Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti.

The project duration can range from one to three months. The average grant amounts will be from 500 up to 2500 Euro. Co-financing of grants is allowed if other funds are already secured.

The objective of the requests for proposals is to address the following goals and areas:

** Support practical steps for creating necessary conditions of ethnic minorities cultural, social, economic and political integration;

** Improve the environment of tolerance and respect among ethnic, cultural, and religious groups living in Georgia.

Cross Cutting Theme: Including gender as a cross-cutting issue will be an advantage for proposed projects.

Application submission procedure and deadline:

Applicant organizations shall present seven copies of the following documents:

1. Proposal in either Georgian, Russian, or English developed according the Grant Proposal Sample attached to this announcement and provided on the website at the following link: http://www.gfsis.org/media/download/civic_integration/Application_form-ENG.pdf

2. Detailed budget;

3. CVs of project director and other individuals involved in the project (including trainers);

4. Two (2) recommendation letters from the experts/organizations familiar with the issue/problem you propose to address in your proposal;

5. List of the projects implemented by the organization during the last three years with the dates, project goals, donor organization and contact person within the donor organization.

6. Organization's registration certificate;

7. Notarized copy of organization's statute;

8. Organization's last year annual balance sheet.

The requested documents should be submitted to GFSIS Tbilisi or Akhalkalaki Office in printed form (handwritten applications won't be accepted) in a sealed envelope with the organization's name on it, before 14:00, October 25, 2013..

All the materials and documents submitted for the competition become the property of GFSIS and will not be returned to the applicant. GFSIS guarantees the confidentiality of applications. The Foundation does not use information presented by the applicants for purposes other than review and does not provide this information to any outside persons or institutions, except in cases where it is required by the Georgian law.

Criteria for project selection:

The following criteria will be used in assessing the proposals:

** Degree of compliance with the objectives and conditions of the competition;

** Scope and importance of the project impact;

** Feasibility of achieving project goals;

** Evidence of support for project goals from community leaders and local beneficiaries and participants;

** Sustainability of the project upon expiration of the grant term;

** Effectiveness of the evaluation plan;

** Cost-effectiveness of the project;

** Organization's capacity to implement the project and manage grant.

Assistance in preparation of the proposal:

In case of questions please contact Mrs. Keti Emukhvari, Program Coordinator, at: keti@gfsis.org

Note: Questions should be directed from October 9 through 19, 2013 only through written form.

Contact information:

Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (GFSIS)

Tbilisi:

3a Chitadze Street, Tbilisi 0108

Tel: (995 32) 2 473555

Fax: (995 32) 2 985265

Akhalkalaki:

1 Ketskhoveli Street, Akhalkalaki, 0700

Tel: (995 26) 2 223248

Mob: (995 595) 339552

Competition schedule:

** Competition announcement: October 1, 2013

** GFSIS orientation meeting in Akhalkalaki: October 9, 2013 at 13:00

** Taking questions: October 9 - 19, 2013

** Deadline for submission of applications: October 25, 2013 by 14:00

** Award announcement: November 8, 2013

GFSIS is an independent, not-for-profit think tank dedicated to helping improve public policy decision-making in Georgia.

source: jobs.ge