About the Fund

Application Guidelines

Calling all peace builders!
Do you want to turn your experience of peace building into a knowledge product that can help others?
We are funding 8-10 innovatively driven ideas that can turn accumulated knowledge into dynamic knowledge products. Apply now!

 

Background

Cypriot civil society has made a significant contribution to supporting peace building and reconciliation in Cyprus. The past 15 years has seen local civil society actors working together to implement projects, build partnerships, nurture relationships and produce a whole range of tools, reports and publications which have led to the accumulation of a wealth of knowledge and experience in citizen led peace building. 

But how do we begin to compile all of this knowledge together, in ways that are new and innovative? How do we turn our knowledge and experience into innovative knowledge products that can help to teach others both in Cyprus and beyond? How can we build on our knowledge and experience to continue to support peace building and reconciliation?

The “Peace It Together” knowledge innovation fund aims to respond to these questions. With your help, expertise and creativity, the fund aims to support the development of a range of knowledge products that can be utilized to contribute to the reconciliation process on the island, as well as supporting peace building initiatives internationally.

 

Peace it Together Knowledge Innovation Fund: Aims and Objectives

Applicants may request funding through the Peace It Together Knowledge Innovation Fund as long as they meet and support the objectives of Peace It Together, which include reconciliation and the promotion of universal values for a multicultural, pluralistic and democratic society.

In line with Peace It Together objectives, The Knowledge Innovation Fund aims to:

• Support innovative ideas that are based on existing knowledge and experience in peace building and reconciliation.
• Create intercultural and inter-disciplinary bridges through joint activities, whose aim is to expand civil society’s contribution to peace-building.  
• Facilitate relationships and networking between civil society actors from the different communities of Cyprus.
• Promote sustainability of knowledge sharing and the development of knowledge networks.
• Embrace Openness - all applicants will need to demonstrate a willingness to share their experiences and learning to help establish a body of knowledge that can bring about a sustained change in the culture of knowledge exchange.

 

Selection Criteria

Proposals will need to meet the following selection criteria in order to be considered for funding for the development of knowledge products:

• Adhere to Peace It Together knowledge innovation fund aims and objectives including contributing to peace building and reconciliation.
• Be based on an innovative approach to knowledge sharing. Collaborations with artists and artists’ collectives are especially encouraged.Be digital platform friendly, easily accessible, and open source.
• Be gender inclusive.

Applicants must also adhere to bi-communal and multi-communal principles while completing the applications, as well as during the implementation of the activities.

Co-sharing of proposed costs with other donors, including the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs is particularly encouraged.

 

Who may apply?

Civil society organizations, non-formal groups and individuals who are interested in transforming their knowledge and experience in peace building and reconciliation into new, innovative and e-platform-friendly knowledge products.

Eligible grant recipients include the following:

• Civil Society Organizations based and registered in Cyprus;
• Non-formal groups (groups of individuals who are not part of an organization) based in Cyprus;
• Individuals based in Cyprus.

 

How to apply

The Peace It Together Knowledge Innovation Fund will follow a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest

• Submission of Expressions of Interest will be accepted in English by August 15th, 2012 (UPDATE: The deadline has now been extende until September 15th, 2012.) A brief description of the project idea and methodology must be submitted online.
• The Selection Committee will conduct the evaluation and selection of successful Expressions of Interest will be based on the selection criteria. 

Stage 2: Development of full proposals

• Applications selected from the Expression of Interest stage will be supported by the Peace it Together Knowledge and Innovation officers to develop full proposals.
• Successful applicants can access the Pool of Creativity (which comprises of a roster of creative experts) to further support the development of full proposals and implementation.
• Successful applicants are looking at an implementation period of September to December 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: A SECOND INFO SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 28TH, 2012 AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE Home for Cooperation.
Come in between 9:30-13:00 and get your questions answered!

 

Funding Guidelines

Knowledge Innovation Fund grants will range from €3,000 – €5,000 for single applicants. The grants will range from €7,000 - €10,000 for joint applications.

Financial disbursements will be paid in Euros (€). Full applications should be developed in sufficient detail to reflect the complexity and scope of the proposed grant-funded activities. All information submitted with the full applications must be directly relevant to the proposed activities. All financial reporting requirements will be based on activities that are defined in the grant agreement.
 
For Civil Society Organizations based and registered in Cyprus, there will be 60% upfront disbursements of the funds, with the signing of the grant agreement. The remaining amount will be paid upon presentation of a final financial and progress report and after approval.
For non-formal groups and Individuals, there will be no upfront disbursements of the funds, with 100% of the expenses paid once the project has been completed.

Disbursements will be made against submitted original receipts only for all expenditure, and for items that are in-line with the pre-approved budget items. The disbursements will be made within 30 days of approval of the complete financial reports.

PLEASE NOTE: Although the Knowledge Innovation Fund plans to offer grants to approximately 8-10 projects, the implementing partners reserve the right to offer fewer grants.

 

The Implementing Partners

The Knowledge Innovation Fund is implemented by the Management Centre and NGO Support Centre on behalf of Peace It Together and is supported by UNDP-ACT.

The implementing partners of are committed Civil Society Organisations that have worked on reconciliation over the past decade and who have become key drivers for moving the reconciliation agenda forward in Cyprus.

A first formal collaboration came about between the two partners in 2006 under the Volunteer Network Project supported by UNDP-ACT. The two partners have proved to have forged a well defined partnership that has brought into fruition two extensive project initiatives, namely the Civil Society Strengthening Programme (2006-2008) and the Engage - Do your part for Peace project (currently in its 2nd phase).

 

Selection Committee

The selection committee will be comprised of the 2 Executive Directors of the implementing partner organizations, 2 Independent Artists/Mediamakers/Civil Society Representatives, and a UNDP Representative. At the start of each selection committee meeting, a minimum presence of 4 committee members will be required.

Non eligible costs

The following activities are illustrative of the types of technical work and purchases that cannot be funded under the Knowledge Innovation Fund:

• Activities that are not directly in support of grant activity implementation, such as renting, furnishing and equipping office facilities, staff salaries for time not spent directly on grant activities.

You can download the Full Guidelines Here!