Ukraine

The portion of call for proposals referring to Ukraine brought 83 projects, for a total of almost PLN 20 million. No other country enjoyed such interest among the participants. In comparison, last year a call for proposals organized for countries undergoing transformation brought only 74 projects for all the countries concerned. From among the six support areas stated in the call for proposals regulations (European and Euro-Atlantic integration, support of economic transformation; support for local self-government; education /co-operation of schools, student exchange; cross-border co-operation and building local partnerships; development of the non-governmental sector – media, non-governmental organizations), the largest interest of participants focused on support for local self-government and integration of Ukraine with the European Union. An equally large number of projects covered the support of non-governmental organizations in Ukraine, both in general terms and in the specific area of activities (environment protection, problems of youths). Several projects were received regarding the exchange of youths from Poland and Ukraine. Relatively few projects covered the media, but the majority of those received turned out to be very good. Support for economic transformation met with relatively the lowest interest, but a few very specialized projects were received for that area too.

Belarus

35 projects were received, for a total of more than PLN 6 million. The submitted projects covered all support areas included in the regulations, and each area is represented by the projects accepted for implementation.

The largest group of applications referred to local development (in terms of strengthening the local leaders and social animators, activation and integration of local communities, regional tourism as the chance for local development); training and exchange of youths (study visits, training etc.), support for the local and regional press (training and seminars for journalists, typesetters, distributors). Only 2 projects regarding economic development were approved (development of SMEs through the analysis of legal foundations, preparation of a report to be published in Belarusian SME Review, seminar on credit unions), and 1 project regarding European integration (training and promotion of knowledge on the EU). In the area “support for activities which foster the propagation of objective information among the civic society”, only publishing proposals were received (publications of books and independent Belarusian magazines); and a project that would set up an e-mail based service with news and commentaries, addressed to all users of e-mail.

The Russian Federation

23 projects were received, for a total of almost PLN 4 million. The projects covered all four areas listed in the call for proposals regulations. The largest number of projects covered training for local leaders and strengthening the potential of Russian NGOs, training for academic teachers and students, projects for youth integration. Seminars and conferences will also be delivered on the issues of reform of public administration and local government, and credit cooperatives. Quite a few projects were also received on regional tourism, environment protection, volunteer organizations and transformations of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Moldova

There were 17 projects received for Moldova, for a total of over 3 million zlotys.

From the three areas of support listed in the regulations (Support for actions covered by the “Action Plan EU – Moldova”, specifically in the sector of agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, financial services, environment protection; Strengthening of administration structures on the central and local level – internships, in the sector of government administration; Strengthening the institutions of the civil society), projects covered all these areas. The largest interest was expressed in the strengthening of administration structures, especially of local administration and institutions of the civil society. Several interesting projects were received also in the area of agriculture and environment protection.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia

8 projects were received, for a total amount not exceeding the allocated resources. The submitted projects covered all areas of support, but their majority covered the transfer of Polish experiences in the area of transformation and European integration in the field of regional policy, local government and environment protection, also including partnership with central and self-government authorities of the beneficiary countries. In the area of economic development, one project was submitted for the support of the citizens’ sector, based on support for economic activation of women in Kosovo.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

14 projects were received, for a total of more than PLN 3 million. Not all support areas covered by the regulations were reflected in the submitted projects. No projects were received for “Education and higher learning”, “small infrastructure projects”, “environmental projects”.

Most applications covered institutions support for non-governmental organizations, support for the local press and training for journalists, as well as study visits for various professional groups and for young people. A few projects did not comply with the subject matter covered by the regulations (they referred, for example, to health protection).

Afghanistan

The call for proposals covered the areas of “education”, “health protection”, “support for agriculture” and “support for the development of water infrastructure”. 4 projects were submitted, for a total of almost PLN 2 million. The projects approved for financing covered the construction of infrastructure – school buildings, water wells and water supply pipes.

Iraq  

The call for proposals covered the areas of “education” and “development of water infrastructure”. 2 projects were received, slightly exceeding the amount of funds available for Iraq. One of them, regarding the construction of water infrastructure, was admitted for implementation and used up practically all funds available in this area.

Georgia

The interest in Georgia was relatively high. 16 applications were received, and their total amount exceeded the allocated resources almost five-fold. The areas of support included: activities supporting the establishment of institutions of a civil society and a democratic, legal state; support for the agriculture sector; actions supporting protection of the environment; assistance in rehabilitation of areas suffering from conflicts. No projects regarding agriculture were received, other areas were reflected in the projects.

Palestinian Autonomy

The interest in call for proposals regarding the Palestinian Autonomy was relatively high. Last year, there was not a single application submitted by NGOs that would regard Palestine. This year, six such projects were received, for a total of almost PLN 2 million. We are very pleased with the fact that Polish non-governmental organizations became interested in that area and found partners there. The projects for the Palestinian Autonomy cover mostly the area of infrastructure, specifically access to potable water and health protection.

Angola

2 projects were received, for a total of PLN 600,000.00. One project regarding health protection was accepted for implementation.