Instructions for candidates interested in participating in the

							  Instructions for candidates interested in participating in the project
“Road to Cooperation – Development of a Czech-Norwegian Partnership”


1. Introduction
   1.1. Basic information about the project
   1.2. The method of NGO involvement
2. Rules for Applications
   2.1. Who can participate in the project
   2.2. How to fill in the application form
   2.3. Where, how and when to send the applications
   2.4. Evaluation of applications
3. Indicative project timetable



1. Introduction
    1.1. Basic information about the project

     The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the partnership by promoting cooperation
     between Czech and Norwegian NGOs. Support and development of the partnership should contribute
     to the exchange of best practices, develop tools for sustainable long-term bilateral cooperation and
     provide insight into the Czech and Norwegian experience from the NGO sector.

     NROS in cooperation with its partner – the Norway Helsinki Committee (hereinafter the NHC) acts as a
     focal point for Czech and Norwegian non-profit organizations looking for partners for joint projects in
     Norway and in the Czech Republic. The partnership would allow these NGOs, inter alia, to open new
     options, such as funding for individual projects or to obtain grants under the FTA BG.

     Main objectives of the project:
     a) create and launch a database of Czech non-profit organizations interested in establishing
     partnerships on the project website ppnet.org (Project Partners Network), which will provide detailed
     information on NGOs working in the same priority areas. A similar database of the Norwegian NGOs
     will be created and run by the Norway Helsinki Committee;
     b) provide better support to partnerships between the Czech and Norwegian NGOs through study
     tours and seminars organized for representatives of Czech and Norwegian NGOs in the Czech Republic
     and in Norway.

     The Czech NGOs in this phase of the project have the opportunity to apply to area b (as mentioned
     above).




    1.2. The method of NGO involvement
Applications of NGOs to the project will be evaluated on the basis of clear criteria by authorized
personnel of NROS and the results will be approved by the Committee of Regions of the Council of the
Government for NGOs of the Czech Republic (see Chap. 2.4).
In early March there will be an introductory seminar held in Prague open to all NGOs interested in
establishing a Czech-Norwegian partnership. This seminar will be attended by representatives of the
Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
The call for applications to the project will be closed several days after the seminar, so that the
undecided participants could apply on the basis of information obtained at the seminar.

Another seminar will be held in Norway in late April with participation of representatives from 20
Czech NGOs selected to the project on the basis of their applications, and for which NROS in
cooperation with the NHC find a suitable Norwegian partner. This seminar will focus on the direct
exchange of experiences among partner organizations. Reports prepared by the participating
representatives of Czech NGOs summarizing the information gained and lessons learned will be
published on the web portal www.ppnet.org.

The final seminar will be held in Prague in late May. This seminar should be an open platform for
informational an experiential exchange among participating NGOs. The seminar will not only
summarize the results of cooperation achieved in the project, but the Norwegian non-profit sector will
also be presented, including the possibility of direct discussions with representatives of 20 Norwegian
NGOs. The seminar is open to all interested bodies from NGOs and government.

Benefits for selected Czech NGO
• Support for establishing partnerships with the Norwegian organizations;
• Participation in the seminar in Norway - travel and accommodation costs for representatives of
NGOs are covered by the project;
• Exchange of experience through two workshops held in Prague.

Responsibilities of selected NGO
• Active participation in seminars carried out within the project;
• Active communication with partner organization;
• Writing of the final report describing the outputs of the partnership and value of outputs for other
Czech NGOs.
2. Rules for applications
   2.1. Who Can Participate in the Project

     Applicants will be eligible to submit an application form only if able to prove the non-governmental
     and non-profit status and must be registered in the Czech Republic as:
      • Civic association in accordance with the law no. 83/1990 of the Code, on association of citizens,
          as amended or;
      • Public benefit corporation in accordance with the law no. 248/1995 of the Code, on public
          service companies, as amended or;
      • Purpose institution of registered church and religious association established for providence of
          charity services in accordance with the law no. 3/2002 of the Code, on freedom of religion and
          position of churches and religious associations, as amended or;
      • Foundation or endowment funds in accordance with the law no. 227/1997 of the Code, on
          foundations and endowment funds, as amended.

     Applicants will not be entitled to submit the application form if:

      •   bankrupt or being wound up; its affairs are administered by the court; has disagreements with
          creditors; is temporarily suspended or is in another similar situation regulated by legislation or
          regulations of the Czech Republic;
      •   has been found guilty of law violation related to its professional conduct by a judgment with res
          judicata efficiency (i.e. judgment against which it is not possible to appeal).



   2.2. How to Fill in the Application Form

     The application consists of the Application form, the Curriculum vitae form and Declaration of
     compliance signed by a director of the organization.

     Every NGO in the project may submit only one application for only one representative of the
     organization.

     The entire application is to be completed in English only.

     The Application form is filled in Excel format. For separation of the paragraphs use the keyboard
     shortcut Alt+Enter.
     Fill in only current contacts which are in operation.

     The websites of your organization can play a significant role in the evaluation of your application – it is
     an advantage if there is some information in English.

     Into the cell NUTS II fill NUTS II of the official address of your organization: Prague, Central Bohemia,
     Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, Central Moravia or Moravia-Silesia.
 In the cell priority, place the work of your organization (area of cooperation with a partner) into one
 of the following priorities:

     1.   Protection of Human Rights;
     2.   Promotion of Multicultural Environment;
     3.   Support of Endangered Children and Youth;
     4.   Environmental Protection;
     5.   Other (fill if activities of the organization cannot be included in the priorities 1 to 4).



 Organisations conforming to one of the priorities 1 to 4 are preferred in this project. Other
 organizations are not excluded from the project but searching for a suitable partner in Norway can be
 more complicated in this case.

 Presentation/description of organization in part II of the Application form – describe briefly, but
 specifically, here you present your organization to a potential partner.

 The greatest emphasis during the evaluation will be placed on the information in part III of the
 Application form - so be concise and specific in the description of the anticipated cooperation.


2.3. Where, How and When to Send the Applications

 Parts of the application to the project:
 • Completed application form (xls format);
 • CV of the person involved in the project (Pdf format);
 • Signed scan of the declaration of the Director of the NGO ( Pdf format).

 The above mentioned documents should be filled in electronically, in English and sent to this e-mail
 address: partners@nros.cz

 Deadline for submission of the applications is 3rd of March 2010 until 4:00 p.m.

 Applications submitted after the deadline cannot be accepted.

 The receipt of the application will be confirmed via e-mail upon receipt. If you do not get the
 confirmation e-mail till the day after submitting your application, or by the deadline, then you must
 contact NROS staff on telephone number: 227 217 269.

 By the deadline, you can ask your questions either electronically at: partners@nros.cz
 or by Telephone: 227 217 261, 227 217 269.
   2.4. Evaluation of applications

     Applications will be sorted according to the NUTS II and according to selected priority areas.
     Applications will be evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria:

      Criterion                                                                   Maximum rating
      1. Stable well experienced organization with clear goals                           5
      2. Well-arranged web pages, preferably even in English                              5
      3. Clear and realistic vision of the potential partnership                         25
      4. Describing of a particular Norwegian partner (name of organization)              5
      5. Description of specific activities within the partnership                       25
      6. Description of specific outputs and benefits of partnership                     20
      7. Description of the dissemination of the results of partnership                  15
      Maximum rating:                                                                   100

     Assessed applications will be ranked within each region and priority. There will be 20 best placed
     NGOs within the regions selected. The 20 best applications will be discussed with the Norwegian
     Helsinki Committee in order to find suitable Norwegian partner for each of these NGOs. If it turns out
     that the requirements in any of the selected application does not meet with any of the Norwegian
     NGOs, or the Norwegian NGO does not want to participate in the project, then the organization may
     be excluded from the project and replaced by the first one from the reserve list.
     The final list of selected organizations is approved by the Committee of Regions of the Council of the
     Government for NGOs of the Czech Republic.


3. Indicative project timetable

      25.1.2010        Opening the call for applications
                       Opening seminar – introduction of the project to the Czech NGOs – meeting
      1.3.2010         the NHC representatives – chance to apply for the seminar on Norway after
                       the seminar
      3.3.2010         Deadline for receipt of applications
                       Publicizing the list of selected NGOs on these websites - contacting the
      23.3.2010
                       selected NGOs
      21.-23.4.2010    Seminar in Norway for approx. 20 selected NGOs
                       The final seminar – na open platform for informational an experiential
      26.-28.5.2010
                       exchange among participating NGOs