Re-granting
The Project’s re-granting mechanism was established to support local civil society organizations (CSOs) which during the trainings or other project-related activities demonstrate motivation and capacity to:
1) lead nationwide DCFTA information campaigns; and
2) assist small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their ambitions to enter the EU single market.
The re-granting opportunities were available for CSOs in all nine regions of Georgia and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. CSOs based in Tbilisi were not eligible to apply as the project aimed to involve and support CSOs in the regions.
Georgian CSOs were invited to submit a project proposal for following two topics:
I. DCFTA/ SME communication campaign – this call was open for CSOs interested in taking part in the DCFTA/SME communication campaign. CSOs were encouraged to apply for support for expanding the network of trainers (spreading DCFTA awareness among remaining CSOs), holding events (regional DCFTA/SME discussions and simulations, etc.), product-producing activities (articles, children painting exhibitions, regional TV & radio programs, etc.) and other initiatives. Among the criteria when evaluating the proposals were: original proposals and reachability, in addition to engagement of ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups, including women and young entrepreneurs, returned migrants and IDPs.
II. Raising SMEs’ and public servants’ awareness about the DCFTA – this call was open for CSOs involved in training SMEs and public officials. CSOs were expected to submit proposals for activities that would serve local SMEs and public servants by providing necessary skills and information about DCFTA and SME strategy. Such activities were expected to vary from tete-a-tete meetings to practical learning exercises. Important criteria for selection were: the originality of the proposal as well as reachability. However, the ability to provide in-depth information exceeding that provided in the DCFTA Toolkit and other materials will be equally important. Priority was given to the projects aimed at linking SMEs with already-existing mechanisms from the EU and other donors, for example, the EU4Business initiative aimed at supporting Georgian producers’ exposure to the EU single market. The ability to cultivate a network of trainers able to contribute to the aforementioned activities was also preferable.
In total, 60 grants amounting up to EUR 1,000 were distributed by ensuring equal distribution within Topics I & II, as well as geographical coverage of all nine Georgian regions as well as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. A list of successful applicants is available here. Selected projects were implemented from September 2018 until March 2019.
I. DCFTA/ SME communication campaign – this call was open for CSOs interested in taking part in the DCFTA/SME communication campaign. CSOs were encouraged to apply for support for expanding the network of trainers (spreading DCFTA awareness among remaining CSOs), holding events (regional DCFTA/SME discussions and simulations, etc.), product-producing activities (articles, children painting exhibitions, regional TV & radio programs, etc.) and other initiatives. Among the criteria when evaluating the proposals were: original proposals and reachability, in addition to engagement of ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups, including women and young entrepreneurs, returned migrants and IDPs.
II. Raising SMEs’ and public servants’ awareness about the DCFTA – this call was open for CSOs involved in training SMEs and public officials. CSOs were expected to submit proposals for activities that would serve local SMEs and public servants by providing necessary skills and information about DCFTA and SME strategy. Such activities were expected to vary from tete-a-tete meetings to practical learning exercises. Important criteria for selection were: the originality of the proposal as well as reachability. However, the ability to provide in-depth information exceeding that provided in the DCFTA Toolkit and other materials will be equally important. Priority was given to the projects aimed at linking SMEs with already-existing mechanisms from the EU and other donors, for example, the EU4Business initiative aimed at supporting Georgian producers’ exposure to the EU single market. The ability to cultivate a network of trainers able to contribute to the aforementioned activities was also preferable.
In total, 60 grants amounting up to EUR 1,000 were distributed by ensuring equal distribution within Topics I & II, as well as geographical coverage of all nine Georgian regions as well as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. A list of successful applicants is available here. Selected projects were implemented from September 2018 until March 2019.
