A P P L I C A T I O N F O R M

Date:Organization Name (In English): Project Location(s):Project Name: Overall budget of the project (USD):Funding Requested from Balkan Trust (USD):Duration (include month and year):

Organization: Organization Contact Person:Organization Full Postal Address: Str Piata Amzei 7-9, sc D, et 6, ap 34, Bucharest, RomaniaPhone: (+4021) 313 56 64, 313 56 68, 314 19 66 Fax: (4021) 313 56 64, 313 56 68, 314 19 66E-mail: fpdl@fpdl.ro Website: www.fpdl.ro

Name: Andreea Stefania BuzecTitle: Program Coordinator & TrainerPhone: (40 21) 313 56 64, 313 56 68, 314 19 66Mobile: (+4) 0726 229 435Fax: (40 21) 313 56 64, 313 56 68, 314 19 66Email: andreea@fpdl.ro, fpdl@fpdl.ro* Due to the large number of applications received, the Balkan Trust will discard all applications, which do not include the applicant’s contact information (address, tel/fax numbers, and contact person).

Other members of the team (names and positions):Nicoleta Rata – Deputy Director & TrainerCarmen Marin – Financial ManagerOlivia Baciu – Program Coordinator & Trainer

Project Manager Name: Andreea Stefania BuzecTitle: Program Coordinator & TrainerPhone: (40 21) 313 56 64, 313 56 68, 314 19 66Mobile: (+4) 0726 229 435Fax: (40 21) 313 56 64, 313 56 68, 314 19 66Email: andreea@fpdl.ro, fpdl@fpdl.ro

Project Summary Please complete the sentence below by describing this project in one sentence.

The project aims at strengthening the cooperation in the field of local economic development between 8 NGOs from Romania, Bulgaria, Moldavia and Serbia, 2 from each country, by facilitating the exchange of good practices and experience between 16 NGO representatives, increasing their understanding about the principles of local economic development such as integration, social inclusion and equal opportunities, improving their partnership building skills and supporting them in the elaboration of at least 2 action plans for joint initiatives.

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Have you applied to the Balkan Trust before? YES, date_______ NOHave you applied to the German Marshall

Fund before?YES, date_______ NO

Have you received a grant from the Balkan Trust before? YES, date_______ amount_______

NO

Have you received a grant from the German Marshall Fund before?

YES, date_______ amount_______

Please fill in the table below. Country where

registeredRomania

Registration numberDate of registrationType of registration By email

Organization Description

What is the purpose (mission) of your organization? For example, if you were asked to describe why your organization exists in one sentence, what would you say?

The mission of Partners Foundation for Local Development (FPDL), a Romanian NGO founded in 1994, is to enhance the democratic processes of governance, to strengthen civil society and to promote a culture of change and conflict management in Romania and other Central, East and Southeast European countries, through Capacity Building Programs.

Please explain your experience implementing the type of project you propose.

If your organization is a previous BTD grantee, please describe in one paragraph the impact/successes of that project. How is this project linked to the previous project? If it is not, please explain why.

What is the structure of your organization? Your answer should include the following information: Who makes the decisions (Managing Board, Director/Coordinator...)? How many people work in your organization? Are they employed, paid by project, or volunteers?

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FPDL Organizational structure includes: The leading structure: FPDL Board of Directors, formed by 7 personalities who guide the organization by approving its main strategic directions, its annual budget (previous year execution and next year plan), the association with other organizations The managing structure: formed by 3 persons, FPDL Executive Director, Deputy Director and Financial and Administrative Officer. The Executive Director is responsible to elaborate FPDL long-term strategy, the main directions of activity, new programs and staff hiring. The Executive Director shares responsibilities with the Deputy Director. Beside managerial activities, the two directors have also operational activities, as trainers and consultants, contributing to the organization sustainability. The executive structure: formed by 7 full time personso 5 full time employed Program/Training Managers o 3 outsourced activities: Accountant, Webmaster and IT ManagerBeside them, FPDL collaborates with approximately 30 persons/year – experts, trainers, researchers, translators, PR managers

Project Description

Situation Analysis Why is it important to solve this problem? Please briefly explain only the situation that is directly related to your project. Sugestie

Objectives/Goal Describe specifically what you want to achieve with this project to address the problems described above. Please list your objectives (1. 2., 3…). The presented objectives need to be specific, clear, and realistically achievable within your project time frame.

Project GoalThe project’s goal is to strengthen regional cooperation for sustainable local economic development between 8 NGOs from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Republic of Moldavia.

Objective 116 NGO representatives will exchange and improve their knowledge about best practice projects in local economic development in Bulgaria, Republic of Moldavia, Romania and Serbia. Objective 216 NGO representatives will increase their understanding about the principles of local economic development such as integration, social inclusion and equal opportunities and improve their partnership building skills.Objective 3

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16 NGO representatives will elaborate at least 2 project drafts targeting local economic development in a regional partnership framework and will commit themselves to finalizing and implementing them.

Activities What activities will your project include to achieve your objectives? Please be coherent and clear regarding how these proposed activities will achieve the expected results.

In order to achieve the above stated objectives, FPDL proposes the following activities:

Month 1: January 2009Project launching FPDL will elaborate a short description of the project, deadlines for application and selection criteria for the 16 NGO representatives. The project description will be sent to FPDL’s informal partners, one organization from Serbia, Bulgaria and Republic of Moldavia that have relevant experience in local economic development. These three organizations will make recommendations for potential participants, while FPDL will search for Romanian organizations that fit the selection criteria.Given FPDL’s experience in the domain, the project description will be also launched on FPDL’s website and its email lists so that it can reach as many organisations as possible. FPDL will offer its on-line application system for those interested to apply.The 8 selected organisations, 2 from each country, will be represented by 2 representatives /organisation that will attend the 6-day workshop scheduled most probably in March 20-26, 2009. The workshop will be focused on facilitating the exchange of best practices in local economic development between the participant organisations, increasing the participants’ understanding about the principles of local economic development, improving their partnership building skills and supporting the elaboration of at least 2 projects drafts in a mixed partnership structure.

Months 1-2: January – February 2009Participants Selection and Workshop PreparationThe organizations interested to apply will have to send one application form on behalf of the whole organization together with at least 3 CVs of the members designated to take part in the workshop, out of which only 2 will be accepted as participants. FPDL will make the participants’ selection based on the following criteria:

Interest in exchanging experience and good practice in LED, in building new partnerships;

Commitment in finalizing and implementing the project drafts; Working in an organization with at least 3 years experience in LED; English language skills.

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The participants’ selection is expected be completed by the end of February so that enough time is ensured for visa and travel formalities.The selected participants will have to elaborate a Power Point presentation of successful projects implemented by their organisation in the field of local economic development that will be later on posted on FPDL’s website in order to ensure the transfer of best practice and experience in LED to other organizations interested in similar projects. Two FPDL trainers will deliver the workshop that will …

FPDL trainers will provide as in kind contribution for each participant handbooks in English language: What is Local Economic Development?Given the diversity of languages spoken by the participants, in order to ensure a good communication, the workshop will be delivered in English.FPDL will make all necessary arrangements to find a suitable location for the workshop delivery, one that offers good quality environment for an affordable price. It will also take care of remaining logistics details, such as training room equipment, letters of invitation for Romanian visa for participants who need it.

Month 3: March 20-26, 2009Workshop DeliveryMetodologie

Month 4-5: April, May 2009Online mentoring and supportFPDL will offer support and consultation to the participants in order for them to give course to their action plans and finalize the project drafts they have elaborated during the workshop. FPDL will create a Yahoo Group where the participants can continue exchanging ideas and find additional support for finalizing the project drafts.

Month 6: June 2009Professional and financial reportsFPDL will finalize the Professional and Financial Reports to BTD.

FPDL will ensure constant monitoring of project activities in order to make sure that these are carried out as planned and within the established timeframe. Besides the actual mid-term and final evaluations of the workshop itself, a mid-term evaluation of the project activities will be carried out …by whom

Timeframe of Activities Please give the timeframe for the activities above by marking an x under the month these activities will take place. Month 1 signifies the first month the project starts. N

ActivitiesMonth

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1

5

0

1. Project launching

2. Participants’ selection

3. Workshop preparation

4.Workshop delivery

5.Online mentoring and support

6.Professional and financial reports

7.Monitoring and evaluating

Participants What types of participants do you expect to take part in your project?

The target group is made out of 16 NGO representatives, such as program coordinators, trainers, from 8 NGOs, 2/organization. The NGOs will be selected from the following countries: Bulgaria, Republic of Moldavia, Romania and Serbia, 2/country. The NGOs’ selection will be made based on the already mentioned selection criteria.

Community Outreach Describe how you plan to inform the public about the results and particular stages of project implementation.

FPDL website, the organizations’ websites. Maybe a meeting with community members, with stakeholders when they go home…?

Partnerships Established Who are your partners among the community (and/or governmental institutions and businesses) for the duration of the project? In what ways will these stakeholders participate in the implementation of the project?

The organizations who will recommend the participants ??

Local Resource Mobilization What are the existing local resources/community assets that can be used for this project? Also, please tell us about use of volunteers or local fundraising efforts associated with this project.Nu este cazulPlease tell us how this project will link and bring citizens closer to their governments (Improving citizen engagement with government; encouraging participatory decision-making and problem-solving; promoting active citizenship,

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political reform, civic education, monitoring of government performance, and ensuring greater transparency of government institutions so that citizens may hold government accountable for their actions)

If this is a regional project, please tell us how this project will enhance regional cooperation and collaboration (Creating stronger cross-border cooperation among citizens and other groups to address common challenges, sharing best practices throughout the region, establishing regional networks linking citizens with similar interests across borders and/or building networks among governments, NGOs, civic initiatives, or other institutions working to improve understanding and cooperation throughout the region)

The program gives the opportunity to 8 organizations from 4 different countries to extend their partnership network and set for regional cooperation and collaboration. Their 16 representatives will exchange ideas and improve their knowledge about best practices in LED in each of the 4 countries; they will identify areas of common interest and strengthen their partnership building skills. They are expected to draft at least 2 project proposals that will be later on finalized and submitted for funding. Thus, they will make the first step towards regional cooperation and setting a good example in the communities and region.

Please describe any potential risks involved in implementing your project and what is being done to minimize these risks.

Risk analysis

Risk Probability Impact ManagementNot enough participants will express their intention to participate in the workshop

1 = not likely at all10=extremely likely

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The workshop will be held for a smaller number of participants than initially planned

Extend the deadline for application; Invite more organizations from the

same country.

The participants won’t follow their commitment in finalizing the project

4 Workshop won’t have the expected impact

Constant communication, mentoring and support to participants as they finalize the project drafts.

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draftsSome activities may take longer than expected

6 Timeline objectives will not be met

Frequent communication with donors on progress and challenges;

Adjust timeline if needed.

Expected Results

Outcomes What outcomes do you expect your project to achieve?

The project will have the following key outcomes: Exchange of best practice, LED principles and partnership learning

process: exchange of experience, sharing of best practice, enhanced understanding of LED principles and increased capacity to build partnerships for joint regional initiatives;

Regional partnership network: partnership cooperation as a basis for joint initiatives, further knowledge sharing and exchange of experience;

At least 2 action plans: the participants will establish detailed steps to be taken in order to finalize the project drafts they have elaborated during the workshop;

One Yahoo Group: an opportunity for participants to keep in touch, exchange ideas and benefit from mentoring and consulting support from FPDL in order for them to finalize the project drafts they have elaborated during the workshop;

Best practice data base: The best practice presentations elaborated by each organization will be posted on FPDL’s website so that organizations interested in similar LED initiatives can find relevant informational resources.

Changes What concrete change will this project have on the community, target group, and/or situation you are trying to change? (Please have in mind that results should be measurable, in other words that you should be able to tell us at the end of the project whether results were achieved.) What type of information will be collected to keep a record of your achievements? How will this information be collected?

Expected Results: Result Definition and Unit of

MeasurementRelevance of Result for community/ target group

Data Source(s)

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Objective 1: 16 NGO representatives will exchange and improve their knowledge about best practice projects in local economic development in Bulgaria, Republic of Moldavia, Romania and Serbia.16 selected participants have increased knowledge about successful practices in LED in Bulgaria, Republic of Moldavia, Romania and Serbia.

1. Best practice projects implemented by the 8 organizations.Unit: # Best practice presentations elaborated by each organisation;Scoring system from participants’ evaluation.

The program will give the participants the chance to come across innovative ideas that can also suit the situation in their communities;They will also discover common areas of interest.

FPDL trainers will make a mid-term and final evaluation to determine improvement.

Objective 2: 16 NGO representatives will increase their understanding about the principles of local economic development such as integration, social inclusion and equal opportunities and improve their partnership building skills.16 participants are able to elaborate clearly structured project drafts in partnership among their organizations;

Unit: # Project drafts clearly structured and stated;# Partnerships established;# Scoring system from participants’ evaluation.

The drafted projects are not only important for their logical content, but also for the participatory process of elaborating them during which knowledge and partnership relationships are built.

Project drafts; Mid-term and final evaluation of understanding and skills improvement.

Objective 3: 16 NGO representatives will elaborate at least 2 project drafts targeting local economic development in a regional partnership framework and will commit themselves to finalizing and implementing them.16 NGO representatives draft at least 2 project proposals in mixed partnership structures,

Unit: # drafted projects; Detailed structure of

The participants take the first step in finding solutions LED as

Project drafts and action plans

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agree on the additional steps to be made in order to finalize the drafts and are committed to applying for funding.

action plans. part of a wider regional effort and in bringing positive changes in their local communities.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Results Please describe how project monitoring and evaluation are to be implemented to ensure successful realization of project goals. Who is to take part in the evaluation process (stakeholders, governance, consultants)? Pe cine sa implicam?

Sustainability Plan

In what way will the achieved project results be preserved, reproduced, and further developed after the Balkan Trust for Democracy support ends? In what ways could the project attract other donors or generate other income for the future financing of current activities.

1. Well structured projects that will be submitted for future funding2. Continue partnership in the region in joint initiatives3. PP presentations on FPDL’s website that will ensure the transfer of best practice

& experience to other organizations interested in similar projects

Alte sugestii?

Financial Information and Project BudgetOrganization:

What was the total income and expenditure of the organization/group in the previous financial year?a. Total income in the previous financial year:

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b. Total expenditure in previous financial year:

Please list your sources of income for the previous two years including names of all donors and amounts listed by fiscal year.

Other funding: Have you applied for other funding for the project?

Have you received (or received official confirmation of) other funding (financial or in-kind) for the project?

Please list your current donors with amounts.

If your organization has its own resources for the project (technical equipment, space), please explain what these resources are in one paragraph.

Detailed budget Please provide a detailed budget, using the BTD budget form in Excel.

Budget spending rationale Include a short narrative summarizing budget justifications from the spreadsheet.

Human resources: Funds from the Balkan Trust for Democracy are requested to cover the costs of personnel: for FPDL Program Manager, Project Assistant and Financial Manager for 6 months.

Travel, accommodation, meals: Travel costs have been estimated for the two FPDL trainers’ travel from Romania, Bucharest to the training venue, probably Busteni, Prahova County, by car, go and return, in order to safely transport all the training

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materials. Travel costs in the limit of 315 USD/participant have been also estimated, to support selected participants arrive in Bucharest by car, train or plane and from Bucharest to rent a bus that will transport them to the training venue. The accommodation and meals for 18 persons (16 participants, 2 trainers) have been estimated for 6 days/workshop, 80/day/participant.

Administration: Funds from the Balkan Trust for Democracy are requested to cover the administrative costs of FPDL (communications, office supplies).

Training expenseFPDL will develop and print for the training workshop power points presentations and will provide as in-kind contribution the handbooks in English language, all as educational supplies. Also, FPDL requests funds for the rent of the training room. FPDL will also bring its own video projector.

Trainers’ Honoraria: Two FPDL trainers will design and conduct the workshop; for the workshop 6 days conduct and 6 days preparation work has been budgeted for. (Total 12 days/trainer for the workshop)

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