The Netherlands Embassy in Amman avails over assistance programs aimed at supporting the Jordanian reform initiatives and the promotion of respect for human rights. Due to the limited availabililty of funding the call for proposals for 2008 has been closed. A high number of proposals were received and are being considered under the Small Embassy Projects of Social Transformation Programme, called  MATRA KAP, or under the Human Rights Fund, also known as FSA. MATRA KAP is specifically designed for small-scale reform activities, implemented by civil society. FSA is a flexible instrument, with the aim of the promotion of respect for human rights and good governance.

Priority areas

For MATRA KAP 12 areas are selected. You can find these under MATRA KAP.

For FSA proposals the following priority areas were identified by the Embassy:

· women empowerment
· enhancing freedom of speech and media diversity
· strengthening the rule of law
· reducing domestic violence
· implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights (see  http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/HR_10056.04REV1AR.pdf )

Human Rights Defenders and organisations were invited to submit proposals in this area.

Under FSA also national authorities were invited to submit proposals that aims at translating international obligations into national legislation and the implementation thereof.

Eligibility

Entities eligible for funding include:
for MATRA KAP: local civil society organisations, local NGOs and research institutes;
for FSA: civil society organisations, local and international NGOs, research institutions, national authorities.

General criteria

In assessing all project applications submitted to the Embassy the following considerations receive careful attention:

· quality of description of the problem, the objective and the target group;
· the activities, the results envisaged, the timetable and the budget;
· the active involvement of the target group at all stages of the project;
· the extent of the target group’s own contribution (financial or in kind);
· the support for, feasibility and sustainability of the activity;
· the management capacity of the implementing organisation. 

Formats

To facilitate the submission of project applications that meet our criteria, organisations were invited to use our standard application form.

(programme for social transformation through Small Embassy Projects)

MATRA KAP aims at activities that accelerate positive changes in the structure and operation of Jordan and its institutions, their civil organisations and the networks that connect these entities.
Relevant areas of the transformation process:

· legislation/law-making
· human rights and minorities
· public order / good governance
· strengthening civil society, especially voluntary participation
· the environment
· public health and health care
· labour relations
· public information strategies
· education: management and curriculum development
· culture: management and variety
· public housing

Apart from general criteria the following specific conditions apply:

· small scale activity
· max. duration 12 months
· max. fund 15.000 Euro
· no finance for overhead costs, international travel costs, commercial activities, or charitable activities.

The site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has  more information on Matra.

FSA
(facility to fund strategic activities in the field of human rights and good governance)

· strategical or catalysing activities aimed at the concrete improvement of the human rights situation, democratisation or good governance
· special focus on capacity building, awareness raising, fundamental rights of particular vulnerable groups such as women and children.

The following priority areas were identified by the Embassy:

· women empowerment
· enhancing freedom of speech and media diversity
· strengthening the rule of law
· reducing domestic violence
· implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights (for the text see 

 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/torture/guideline_en.htm
 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/adp/guide_en.htm
 http://ue.eu.int/uedocs/cmsUpload/GuidelinesDefenders.pdf
 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/human_rights/child/caafguidelines.pdf)

Human Rights Defenders and organisations were invited to submit propals in these areas.
Under FSA also national authorities were invited to submit proposals that aim at translating international obligations into national legislation and the implementation thereof.

Any queries about projects and the above mentioned programmes can be addressed to  AMM-INFO@minbuza.nl

List of ongoing and finalised projects

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© 1998-2007 Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Amman, Jordan