Local Small Scale Development Projects (SSP) are one of the instruments of the development cooperation of the Czech Republic. Projects are identified by the respective Embassies of the Czech Republic (through applications submitted by potential implementers) and approved by the headquarters - Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CZ MFA). Projects aim to contribute to the local subject by small-scale development activities in accordance with the beneficiary country's national development priorities.

In Armenia, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Yerevan manages the grants program, while local organizations (e.g. NGOs) implement the projects. The foreseen budget per project is 200 000 - 500 000 CZK (roughly 8 000 - 20 000 EUR).

Please, read all the instructions below thoroughly before applying.

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• The applicant (implementer of the SSP) must be a registered local subject with legal personality in Armenia, whose basic activity is not profit making.
• Implementer must be eligible to sign a contract with the CZ MFA that establishes jurisdiction of Czech laws and Czech courts.
• It is desirable that the implementer cooperates with Czech subjects, e.g. would purchase Czech products, use Czech know-how, etc.
• Czech financial contribution per project is 200,000 CZK – 500,000 CZK (co-financing from other sources is arbitrary and desirable). We strongly encourage you not to aim at the highest possible threshold of funding.
• The total sum of personal and travel expenses - salary/fee (project coordinator, financial manager, accountant, administrator, etc.), subsistence allowance, accommodation, travel costs, eventually insurance and vaccination of the experts, must not exceed 25 % of the project's total costs. We also strongly encourage you to limit personnel and travel expenses, because exaggerated expenditures for salaries and travel reduce chances for funding.
• Funds are allocated to non-political and non-governmental groups only. The implementing organization should be a local Armenian NGO. For-profit (business) companies, universities or state institutions can not apply.
• Submitted proposals can be changed based on the notice from the Embassy until the deadline set by the Embassy.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The implementing organization should have had previous experience from cooperation with international donors or Czech subjects (Czech NGOs, academia, Czech regional administrations, Czech Embassy, etc.).
• The project proposals shall be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals as set by the United Nations, and with the Czech Development Cooperation strategy. We strongly encourage you to focus on one specific activity since proposals that are too fragmented have lower chances of funding.
• The projects should ideally cover the needs of at least one vulnerable group, such as:
  • children and youth
  • women
  • people with disabilities
  • national or other minorities
  • populations of extremely isolated rural communities
• Desirable geographic focus:
  • Villages and small town communities.
• Each applicant may submit only one project proposal.

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

• Formal requirements.
• Developmental relevance of the project to Armenia's needs and priorities. More sophisticated projects (e.g. including sharing know-how rather than basic material help) have a higher chance of success.
• Cost effectiveness and efficiency (including amount of co-financing).
• Feasibility and sustainability of project results.
• Effectiveness of project results, logic of the project.

 

IMPLEMENTATION:

• Implementation of the project can be started only after signing the contract (expected in March 2025).
• Project implementation must not exceed October 31, 2025 (project billing must also be done by this date).
• SSP does not include the payment of the implementer's administrative costs.
• The financial amount approved for the implementation of the project in CZK is also binding for the conversion into foreign currency.
• One of the crucial conditions is project sustainability (meaning the project would be able to run in the future without further financial support).
• Tangible assets of the project should be marked with the logo of Czech development cooperation. In the case of a project's intangible assets, it is always necessary to mention the financial support of the Czech development cooperation.
• The transfer of funds between items in the approved identification form must be justified in writing to Embassy and described in the final report.

 

TERMINATION:

• The project implementer is obliged to submit a written final project report, including financial report to the Embassy no later than one month after the end of the project,
• The photo documentation of the project outcomes has to be attached to the final report by the implementer.

 

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Application package must be delivered in both electronic AND paper versions.

The electronic application must include:

• 1. Identification form filled in English - typed on a computer, saved in Excel format (.xls/.xlsx).
• 2. Copy of the certificate of legal registration of the applicant (legal person) - scan, saved in PDF format (.pdf).

 

The paper application must include:

• 1. Identification form filled in English - typed on a computer, printed, stamped and signed by the authorized person.
• 2. Copy of the certificate of legal registration of the applicant (legal person).

 

Submission terms: In order to be considered eligible, the application must be delivered before the deadline both electronically and in hard copy.

Step 1 - electronic submission: The electronic application must be delivered by e-mail to yerevan@mzv.gov.cz using subject line "Local Small Scale Development Project proposal 2025."

Step 2 - hard copy submission: The paper application must be delivered physically to the Czech Embassy, Nalbandyan 48/1, Yerevan in a sealed envelope labelled "Local Small Scale Development Project proposal 2025."

Failure to submit the proposal with budget in CZK will result in automatic rejection of your application.

No other annexes than the Identification Form and the Copy of the certificate of legal registration are required! Submission of other unnecessary documents will result in automatic rejection of your application.

The deadline for submission is Thursday September 26, 2024 at 14:00. Every application will be registered; the Embassy will not confirm the submission of individual applications. Applications submitted/delivered after the deadline will not be considered.

 

 

Indicative exchange rate between AMD and CZK valid for September 2024 is as follows:

1 AMD = 0,06 CZK (i.e. 100000 AMD = 6000 CZK)