MATRA Small Embassy Projects Programme (MATRA/KAP)

The programme supports initiatives of local NGOs and is managed by the Embassies or Consulates of the Netherlands in the target countries. In Bulgaria the programme will continue to operate till 2010, its budget gradually diminishing. 

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sofia reviews applications on a rolling basis. Our MATRA KAP budget for the year 2008 is EUR 207.000,--. The financial ceiling per project is EUR 15.000,-- (29.337,-- BGN).

In 2008 the Embassy will consider applications only in the following areas: rule of law, human rights, social inclusion.

Applications for Matra/KAP must satisfy the following criteria:

·                         they must be relevant to the Matra objectives; 
·                         initiatives must be local (applied for by community/organisation in question); 
·                         they may last no more than 12 months; 
·                         applications may not exceed EURO 15,000.

The following factors will also be taken into account:

·                         the quality of description of the problem, the objective, the target group and the envisaged results; 
·                         the activities, the results envisaged, the timetable and the budget; 
·                         the active involvement of the target group at all stages of the project; 
·                         the extent of the target group’s own contribution (financial or in kind); 
·                         the support for, feasibility and sustainability of the activity; 
·                         the management capacity of the implementing organisation; 
·                         eligibility for funding is, as a rule, limited to local costs; 
·                         the spread across the Matra/KAP themes; 
·                         preference is given to making contributions that serve as seed money, i.e. that stimulate local processes.

Sustainability of proposed activities and viability of applicant organisations will be important factors in the assessment of project ideas.

The following are NOT eligible for funding under the Matra/KAP programme:

·                         projects that are a repeat of previous projects or that were already under way before the application was submitted; 
·                         fixed salary costs and other fixed expenses (rent, electricity, water, gas, etc.); 
·                         charitable activities; 
·                         international travel expenses; 
·                         commercial activities; 
·                         activities that can come under a mission’s normal operational budget.

(Local) Consultants may only be hired if a reasonable local rate is charged. Their activities should be limited and should be in proportion to the total activity costs.

Co-financing is only possible if (a) the visibility of Matra is guaranteed, (b) the Matra/KAP activities are clearly defined, (c) the other sources of funding are also specified in the proposal, and (d) the budget is balanced.