The Open Society Foundation for Albania (OSFA), in cooperation with the the Social Action and Innovation Centre (Kentro Merimnas Oikogeneias kai Pai Diou (KMOP) and the Municipality of Tirana (MoT) is implementing the three-year project titled: “Inclusive EduJobs - Towards Context Relevant Policies and Services Enhancing Employability and Educational Outcomes of Roma and Egyptians in Albania”. This project is funded by the European Union under the IPA 2019 Programme, reference: EuropeAid/170610/DD/ACT/AL.

The purpose of the project is to improve the inclusion of women and men, boys and girls from Roma and Egyptian communities in Albania by strengthening municipal capacities to establish and deliver inclusive services to citizens in the area of employment and inclusive education. 

Main objectives of the project are: 
a) Design contextual self-employment and employment supporting packages/models in a participatory way, involving municipalities, primarily Roma and Egyptian CSOs as well as other CSOs and ensuring the necessary link to the existing government programs, increasing and improving employment opportunities for R/E individuals. The government self-employment program, is implemented by the National Agency for Employment and Skills/ Ministry of Finance and Economy, based on the Council of Ministers Decision (CoMD), no. Nr. 348, dated 29.4.2020: "On the procedures, criteria and rules for the implementation of the incentive program through self-employment". 
b) Support Roma and Egyptian farmers access to full legal title for the agricultural land and improve Roma and Egyptians farmers performance in the farming processes by generating additional Roma and Egyptian farmers employments and mini farming cooperatives. The farming support package will enable technical analysis of the type of land and the most suitable products to grow taking in consideration also market prices. Farmers will be assisted to reach an agreement among them to unify the land, in order to allow for more effective use of mechanical vehicles and tools. It will also support farmers to gain the full legal title for the land and assist them to potentially develop a small farming company which could absorb government agricultural support schemes funding. 
c) Improve educational inclusion and educational achievements of Roma and Egyptian children and students by means of new educational approach (blended learning and digital education) and targeted financial support. Provide support to public schools in Tirana Municipality to upgrade their ICT infrastructure. The ICT devices will be used in the classroom as well as for after-school activities in order to boost the Roma and Egyptians educational achievements. School community will also upgrade their digital competencies to be capable to use effectively technology to improve educational outcome of students particularly Roma and Egyptians.

These objectives will be achieved through the sub-granting schemes mechanism (financial support to third parties) to the Roma and Egyptian CSOs to enable direct support to Roma and Egyptians individuals and complement government funds which these individuals will be able to access.

The application package including the “Guidelines for Applicants” and related information on the requirements and the application procedure is available in the following links: www.osfa.al. 

The call will remain open for a one month period, November 1, 2022 until December 2, 2022.

Through the sub-grant scheme, the project will finance medium-sized projects, according to relevant thematic fields. 

LOT 1 up to 50 000 EUR - Sub-Grants to increase Roma and Egyptians self-employment and access to self-employment governmental funding (Business Incubator)
LOT 2 up to 30 000 EUR - Sub-Grants to CSO to support R/E farmers to improve farming activity in Shushica, Elbasan
LOT 3 up to 30 000 EUR - Sub-Grants to CSOs to support compulsory education for Roma and Egyptian students in Tirana to improve learning environment through ICT infrastructure upgrade and better access to Blended Education

The deadline for the submission of applications is December 2, 2022 at 17.00 local hrs.

These sub-grant schemes are dedicated to local civil society organizations that are registered and operate in Tirana and Shushica, Elbasan. 

INFO_SESSION NOTICE: On the November 11, 2022 the Contracting Authority (OSFA) will organize a 1-day info session in Tirana for potential grant applicants to inform them about the Call and to provide guidance on developing successful grant proposals. Prior announcement will be made in the following days for the venue and agenda. 

Please download the Guidelines with instructions for this call and Annexes:  

• Guidelines for sub-granting application  
• Annex 1: Application Form 
• Annex 2: Budget Form 
• Annex 3: Logical Framework Form
• Annex 4: Declaration by the Lead applicant 
• Annex 5: Mandate by the Co-applicant
• Annex 6: Declaration in Honour
• Annex 7: Check List