ALDA is excited to announce that the first round of grants is available for regional projects within the BOOST Programme, an initiative funded by AFD – Agence Française de Développement designed to support and strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs) across the Western Balkans. Through this programme, ALDA aims to foster democratic, economic, social, and cultural growth across six Western Balkan countries, supporting them on their journey toward EU integration.
What is BOOST?
BOOST stands for Balkans for Optimizing Opportunities, Sustainability, and Transformation of Civil Society. This initiative promotes sustainable development and collaboration by providing a unique sub-granting scheme, designed to empower CSOs in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
The Grant Programme at a Glance
The BOOST Programme’s goal is to catalyse impactful projects through two types of grants:
- Regional Grants: Supporting 6 large-scale regional projects focused on cross-border collaboration.
- National Grants: Funding 60 national initiatives that address specific local needs.
Projects will focus on three key pillars:
- Youth and Entrepreneurship
- Rural Development and Environmental Protection
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Community Development
Funding and Financial Overview
With a total of €2,250,000 allocated to cascading grants, the BOOST Programme will provide substantial resources for selected projects:
- Regional BOOST Grant Programme: €450,000, with each project eligible for up to €60,000.
- National BOOST Grant Programme: €1,800,000, with the first round set to launch in March 2025.
How to Apply for the BOOST Grants
For those interested in the Regional Grants, the call for proposals is now open and closes on December 27, 2024. Eligible applicants are invited to submit their proposals via the BOOST Grants Platform, where detailed guidelines and application forms are available. This streamlined online process ensures all applicants have easy access to the necessary resources for a successful submission.
Eligibility and Partnership Requirements
To ensure broad, collaborative participation, BOOST encourages partnerships among CSOs from different countries:
- Applicants must be non-profit CSOs registered in one of the six targeted countries.
- Each regional partnership must include at least three organisations from different countries.
Special emphasis is placed on youth- and women-led CSOs, which are encouraged to apply.
Impact Areas of BOOST
Through its unique sub-granting schemes, BOOST aims to:
- Empower local communities by enabling CSOs to collaborate with local authorities and foster citizen engagement.
- Promote sustainable development by supporting projects focused on entrepreneurship, rural sustainability, environmental awareness, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
- Advance European integration by cultivating networks that align with EU values of peace, democracy, and inclusivity.
Upcoming Info Session
To learn more about the application process, join our online information session on November 7, 2024, at 11:00 CET—a great opportunity to gain insights into the application process (eligibility criteria, project requirements, and how to maximise your proposal’s potential). The application deadline follows on December 27, 2024, at 17:00 CET. After submissions close, the evaluation of applications will take place throughout January and February 2025, with results set to be announced on March 3, 2025.
For more details on how to apply and access the BOOST Programme resources, visit the BOOST Grants Platform and join us in driving impactful change across the Western Balkans. Let’s work together to empower civil society and foster sustainable development across the region!