Block grant "Strengthening Administrative and Public Service Capacities of Local and Regional Authorities and their Institutions" (Capacities Strengthening Fund)

The purpose of the Fund is to encourage local and regional institutions to gain new knowledge and to improve skills in fields of their responsibilities with the overall objective to contribute to the development of the regional policy and reduction of social and economic disparities in Lithuania through the strengthening of regional and local authorities and their institutions‘ administrative and public capacities.

The 1rst Open Call for submission of proposals to become an Intermediary for the Block Grant „Strengthening Administrative and Public Service Capacities of Local and Regional Authorities and their Institutions“ was not successful (the applicants haven‘t fulfilled the requirements). Therefore it was decided to join the block grant „Transfer of Experience and Strengthening of Cooperation among Local, Regional and Euroregional Partners in Lithuania and Norway” and the block grant „Strengthening Administrative and Public Service Capacities of Local and Regional Authorities and their Institutions”. On the 21rst of June 2007 the Monitoring Committee of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism confirmed the Ministry of Interior as the Intermediary for the both block grants.

The budget of the Fund – EUR 3.15 million. The funds will be allocated from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

Two open calls for proposals will be held during the implementation of the Block Grant. The 1st Open Call for proposals is foreseen in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Eligible applicants are local and regional authorities; institutions of local and regional authorities, i.e. any public institution which provides services for the community and is located and registered in a municipality or region of Lithuania; non-profit making institutions, which provide educational services according to their regulations, such as universities, training centers, regional development agencies.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, the acquisition of knowledge, training and perfecting skills in relevant fields and the promotion of life-long learning.

For more information please contact the Secretariat of Cooperation and Capacities Strengthening Funds.