Vanuatu: Non State Actors and Local Authorities in development Actions in Partner Countries

This programme is recognised as  an 'actor-oriented programme' and thereof it is aimed at strengthening civil society organisations and their capacities as a pre-condition for a more equitable, open and democratic society by providing support to their 'own initiatives'. The global objective of this Call for Proposals is to promote an inclusive and empowered society and therefore contribute to the strengthening of poverty reduction through promoting better governance and improved citizens' participation in the policy making process. The programme supports actions with the aim to improve governance and promote an inclusive and empowered society in Vanuatu by i) improving citizens access to public services and quality of public services; ii) engaging effectively citizens in policy making process; iii) strengthen capacity of civil society organisations in policy, advocacy and awareness activities; iv) facilitating state and non-State interactions in different context.  

The specific objective (s) of this Call for Proposals are to support actions aimed at promoting accountability and transparency of definition and implementation of public policies with special emphasis on the Priorities and Action Agenda (2006-2015) through i) Actions that aim at the monitoring/public information about policy design and  implementation; ii) policy and advocacy work, political awareness, iii) promoting partnerships and dialogue between civil society organisations and policy makers, in different sectors as well as at different levels. Special attention will be given to those projects that take into account most disadvantaged sectors of the population such as women, young people and those living in remote areas. 

Capacity building activities of NSAs at national or local levels are already covered by the current EDF’s NSA project and are therefore not eligible for financing under this programme.

Whenever possible, particular attention should be paid to cross-cutting issues contributing to the achievement of the global objective of poverty reduction, such as the promotion of gender equality, human rights and democracy, the protection and promotion of children's rights, integration of environmental questions, respect of the rule of law and fight against HIV/AIDS.

Considering the nature of the programme, which encompasses a wide range of activities and sectors, and the various priorities and sectors/actors being targeted, the results to be expected from these interventions are very diverse. Amongst others, expected results could consist of: i) increased transparency of policy making process and policy implementation; ii) better access to public services and the quality of the services; iii) strengthened impact of NSA's policy and advocacy work; iv) effective and constructive dialogue between civil society/citizens and government. 

Types of action

The programme supports actions related to strength governance and promote an inclusive and empowered society in Vanuatu through i) improving citizens access to public services and quality of public services; ii) engaging effectively citizens in policy making process; iii) strength capacity of civil society organisations in policy, advocacy and awareness work; iv) facilitating state-society relations.  

Types of activity

Activities related to increase transparency, citizens participation and state-society. These implies a wide range of different activities including monitoring policy design and  implementation; policy and advocacy work, political awareness; aimed at building partnerships and space of dialogue between civil society organisations and policy makers, in different sectors as well as at different levels. 

Note that the applicant must comply with the objectives and priorities and guarantee the visibility of the EU-financing (see the Communication and Visibility Manual for EU external actions laid down and published by the European Commission at (see http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work/visibility/index_en.htm).

The following types of action are ineligible:

• actions concerned only or mainly with individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, congresses;

• actions concerned only or mainly with individual scholarships for studies or training courses; 

• one-off conferences: conferences can only be funded if they form part of a wider range of activities to be implemented in the life-time of the action. For these purposes, preparatory activities for a conference and the publication of the proceedings of the conference do not, in themselves, constitute such "wider activities"

• actions in the formal education sector which are covered by a SWAp (and therefore under the Ministry of Education strategy).

• actions which consist exclusively or primarily in capital expenditure, e.g. land, buildings, equipment and vehicles;

• actions which discriminate against individuals or groups of people on grounds of their gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or lack of them, or their ethnic origin;

• actions supporting political parties;

• actions including proselytism.