As part of the NGO Fund, Funds for Bilateral Relations are available and aim to increase cooperation among entities from Romania and respectively donor states (Norway, Iceland and Leichtenstein), to improve knowledge and mutual understanding and to share results.

The support is structured on two main directions:

• Measure a. Partnership building - the search for partners for donor partnership projects prior to or during the preparation of a project application, the development of such partnerships and the preparation of an application for a donor partnership project, and
• Measure b. Networking and exchange - networking, exchange, sharing and transfer of knowledge, technology, experience and best practice between project promoters and entities in donor states.

The overall allocation for Bilateral Relations is of 500,000 Euro.

Over the whole period of implementation of the NGO Fund in Romania, the main actions envisaged for financing under the Funds for Bilateral Relations include:

• Two Calls for Proposals within Measure a. Partnership building
  • Call for Proposals no. 1 – launched on: April 22, 2013; financial allocation – 70,000 Euro (detais available aici)
  • Call for Proposals no. 2 – estimated launch date: November 2013; financial allocation – at least 59,409 Euro

• Match making seminars and thematic workshops, involving Romanian organisations and potential partners from Donor States:
  • First seminar and thematic workshops were organised as part of the NGO Fund launching conference, on April 18 - 19, 2013 in Bucharest
  • Second seminar is planned for November 26-27, 2013, in Bucharest.

• Call for proposals for participation in seminars, conferences and other events facilitating contact and exchange of experience between Romanian entities and donor state entities, to be launched under Measure b. Networking and exchange - ongoing call 2014/2015

• Study visits organised by the Program Operator under Measure b. Networking and exchange (in 2014/2015). Tentative themes refer to: social inclusion issues and social services provision model; education/children and youth; environment protection.

• Seminars and workshops for partnership projects to summarize the experience and lessons learned and discuss future perspectives , organized by the Program Operator.

All actions supported under the Bilateral Relations Fund shall contribute to strengthened bilateral relations, defined as “Cooperation, joint results, and increased mutual knowledge and understanding between donor and beneficiary states as a function of the EEA and Norway Grants.”

All applicants and partners seeking for support must comply with democratic values and human rights.