Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014-Open Calls For Proposals

On 27^th September 2011, Malta signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 with the Kingdom of Norway.  This mechanism aims to strengthen relations between Norway and the Beneficiary States (in our case, Malta), where enhanced cooperation will contribute to securing a stable peaceful and prosperous Europe, based on good governance, democratic institutions, the rule of law, respect for human rights and sustainable development.

Such Financial Mechanism supports projects implemented in the various Beneficiary States targeting a wide range of priority areas.  For the 2009-2014 period, the Norwegian Financial Mechanism will be targeting six priority sectors.  One of these priority sectors is Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue under which the Fund for Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue is being launched through this call for Project Proposals.  Innovation Norway (IN) is the Norwegian entity engaged by Norway to operate this fund.

The Fund for Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue was launched amongst all Beneficiary States on 20 October 2011 and will focus on the following two main areas/priorities:

• Improved social dialogue and tripartite dialogue structures and practices
• Enhanced understanding of the benefits of decent work

The focus of the Programme is to promote the decent work agenda and foster the tripartite dialogue. By improving this dialogue the social partners in each country will better contribute to a more sustainable economic and social development. The Programme will also increase the bilateral cooperation with Norwegian partners.

Eligible applicants are the social partners, public authorities and organisations of public authorities, constituted as legal entities in the Beneficiary States and in Norway with regular activities related to decent work and/or tripartite cooperation. The term social partner means organisations representing employers or employees.  Entities at national, regional and local level are eligible.

Project partnerships with Norwegian social partners, public authorities and organisations of public authorities with regular activities related to decent work and/or tripartite cooperation are encouraged, but not compulsory. Norwegian legal entities cannot apply directly as Project Promoter, but must apply in partnership with an entity from a Beneficiary State.

Interested applicants can contact GRTU for the documents, as well as all relevant information about the Fund, can be found via the following link: http://www.decentwork.no/. 

The deadline for submitting applications (electronically only) is 12.00p.m. local Norwegian time on Saturday 31st March 2012.  [Note: project applications will be accepted as from January 2012 when the electronic application form will be made available online].