Small Actions and Culture Projects Grants (2022) - Call for projects

Position, 03.02.2022

The Embassy of Switzerland in Amman, accredited to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Iraq, has the honour to inform you that it hereby launches the call for projects for two types of grants: 

Small Actions projects: small-scale innovative projects of limited duration that address human rights and development issues related to the main areas of Switzerland’s support for Jordan or Iraq.

Small cultural projects grant: that promote and disseminate contemporary and innovative approaches in art and culture on topics related to human rights relevant for the Jordanian society.

COVID-19: The project proposals should take into account the current situation and be viable with the preventive measures in place in Jordan/Iraq to curb the spread of the virus. All health and security measures decided by the government of Jordan/Iraq – such as social distancing, sanitary measures and restrictions on gatherings – must be respected at all stages of the projects.

Eligibility for the “Small Actions projects 2022” and “Small Cultural projects grant 2022”: 

  • Creativity and innovation;
  • Tangible results and contribution that directly advance at least one priority area (scope);
  • A clear and measurable objective, implementation strategy, action plan and budget;
  • Applicants can be public, not-for-profit, academic, artistic, cultural organisations/think tanks or institutions registered in Jordan or Iraq (for the small actions project), registered in Jordan (for the small cultural projects grant);
  • The project duration from 6 - 7 months.
  • Readiness to provide financial or in-kind contribution of at least 20% of the total budget of the project.
  • Present a budget where administrative costs do not exceed 15% of total cost;
  • Respect sound financial, management and legal norms.
  • Be submitted by an organisation with adequate structures and capacities, which is registered in Jordan or Iraq (for the small actions project), registered in Jordan (for the small cultural projects grant).

The “Small Actions projects 2022” and “Small Cultural projects grant 2022” are not used to finance:

  • Individuals or individual beneficiaries;
  • Running costs of a public institution, governmental body or other organisation;
  • Organisations that are affiliated to political parties, religious institutions or the military;
  • Discriminatory or anti-democratic activities;
  • Purely commercial activities;
  • Projects that solely consist of purchasing materials;
  • Infrastructure or construction costs;
  • Scholarships, study tours abroad, stipends or tuition fees;
  • Missions of foreign experts.

“Small Action projects 2022”:

Within its “Small Action projects 2022”, a call for projects is being launched in the fields of: 

  1. Freedom of Expression;
  2. Gender-Based Violence;
  3. Rights of NGOs to funding, participation, advocating and reporting.

Amounts allocated normally range between 3’000 JOD and 14’000 JOD in form of a contribution, which may be maximum 80% of the total project costs (at least 20% of total project costs must be financed by the receiving organisation itself or through other sources of funding).

If you believe you have a project that corresponds to the above criteria and needs financing, please submit a project concept note until 12 February 2022. The project concept note must be 1.5 pages long (no specific template), written in English and contain the following information: 

  • a context description of the issue the project wishes to address (Concept idea);
  • the objective of the project, clearly defined and measurable; 
  • the beneficiaries of the project;
  • key activities; 
  • total budget estimate; 
  • the schedule of the project, with clear deadlines; 
  • a contact person and the address of the NGO.

The project concept note should be sent to: amman@eda.admin.ch with the subject “Small Action projects 2022– project concept note”, no later than 12 February 2022.

Only shortlisted applicants will be requested to submit a detailed project application. The template will be provided to the applicants via email once selected.

"Cultural Projects Grant 2022":

Switzerland takes the view that an independent, diverse and inclusive culture sector, particularly in transitional countries and fragile contexts, can contribute in a decisive and original manner to sustainable development, democratic transition, and the promotion of peace by advancing the following objectives:

  • Strengthening the role of civil society;
  • Protecting freedom of expression and nurturing the conditions for the emergence of democratic discourse;
  • Encouraging inclusion and social cohesion and cultural diversity;
  • Preventing violence and conflicts

A call for projects is being launched under the Embassy’s “Cultural Projects Grant 2022”. Projects should pursue one of the above mentioned objectives including a link to human rights. 

Amounts allocated normally range between 5’000 JOD and 8’000 JOD in form of a contribution, which may be maximum 80% of the total project costs (at least 20% of total project costs must be financed by the receiving organisation itself or through other sources of funding).

The project should fulfil at least one of the below priorities:

  • Building the professional capacity of artists or cultural organisations and institutions, and especially of young or emerging practitioners;
  • Strengthening cultural organisations or institutions;
  • Enhancing access to culture;
  • Encouraging regional cooperation;
  • Fostering debate within society;
  • Supporting innovative cultural creation;
  • Advancing equal opportunities and human rights by supporting cultural diversity.

If you believe you have a project that corresponds to the above criteria and needs financing, please submit a project concept note until 12 February 2022. The project concept note must be 1.5 pages long (no specific template), written in English and contain the following information: 

  • a context description of the issue the project wishes to address (Concept idea);
  • the objective of the project, clearly defined and measurable; 
  • the beneficiaries of the project;
  • key activities; 
  • total budget estimate; 
  • the schedule of the project, with clear deadlines; 
  • a contact person and the address of the NGO.

The project concept note should be sent to: amman@eda.admin.ch with the subject “Cultural projects grant 2022– project concept note”, no later than 12 February 2022.

The shortlisted applicants will be requested to submit a detailed project application. The template will be provided to the applicants via email.

Should your project concept note be selected, you will be notified by 20 February 2022. The deadline for the detailed project application is 28 February 2022. Should your application be selected, you will be informed by 7 March 2022.

A contract will then have to be signed between your NGO and the Embassy of Switzerland. Upon signature of the contract and approval of the concerned authorities if applicable, up to max. 80% of the budget will be paid, the remainder of the budget upon completion of the project and approval of the final project report to be sent to the Embassy of Switzerland on 15 October 2022 latest. NGO needing approval of concerned authorities to implement the project shall obtain the approval before 13 May 2022. If the needed approval is not issued by this date, the contract will be automatically considered as void so as to allow a reallocation of the budget. Please note that the Embassy does normally not support two years in a row the same NGO in order to diversify its support to local civil societies.