Concept
Partnership projects are financed from the RITA program under open calls for applications. The crucial criteria by which project applications are evaluated are constituted by: partnership, responding to actual needs and adjusting a given project to the geographical region and relevant thematic scope.
Partnership is reflected by joint project planning and implementation. It is essential that these steps are taken by both partners: a Polish NGO, acting as partnership leader and applicant, and a competent institution operating in one of the program countries. Both parties should have equal influence on the project and its decision-making process, as well as bear equal liability for project outcomes. Mutual trust and exchange of experience are vital.
Submitted projects should respond to actual needs. When diagnosing needs, participation of an Eastern partner is priceless, as a local partner knows the target group best and is most capable of verifying its needs. Polish partners, in turn, are well-versed in Polish solutions and the Polish experience, and are capable of proposing those worth using in a given project.
The RITA program covers a wide range of topics. However, all proposed projects should focus on eliciting long-term replicable outcomes and should refer to the experiences accrued by Poland.
Application rules
RITA grants are awarded to non-governmental organisations registered in Poland for the implementation of partnership projects in cooperation with entities and individuals operating in the following states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Projects should contribute to long-term democratic, social and economic change in program states, involve the Polish experience and concern the following spheres:
- Social and social security issues;
- Education and upbringing;
- Development of entrepreneurship;
- Cultural heritage;
- Non-governmental sector development and support;
- Local self-government development and support;
- Development of independent and modern media.
Co-financing awarded to a single project cannot exceed PLN 60,000 (approx. USD 17,650).
Minimal own contribution: 15% of total project value (provided as financial, in-kind or personal contribution).
Detailed rules of participating in open grant competitions are specified in the extract from competition rules and regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Does RITA divide available funds and allocate specific amounts of the funding to particular program countries/the thematic areas listed in the competition rules?
No, there is no prescribed division of funds. The program does not foresee allocation of fixed amounts to specific thematic or geographic areas. What is most significant is the quality of planned project activities and the establishment of an actual partnership during both application preparation and implementation.
Is there a partnership letter template?
We do not provide a partnership letter template, as we want each partner to describe how he/she perceives partnership in his/her own words. We request partnership letters so that we can learn how partners and applicants established cooperation and determined the scope of responsibilities related to application drafting, as well as how they envisage the division of duties during project implementation. The letter should be a partnership letter (it should contain specific partnership-defining plans), not a letter of intent containing solely general declarations on willingness to establish cooperation.
Are non-Polish entities eligible for grants?
No, only non-governmental organisations registered in Poland are eligible to participate in the grant competition. However, it is a prerequisite to establish a partnership with one of the following program countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Is it possible to perform project activities in Poland?
Project activities can also be carried out in Poland, on condition that such a decision is justified by the program or for other reasons such as economic or safety issues.
Are applicants’ partners also required to register in the application generator?
No, only the Polish NGO, i.e. the formal applicant, is required to create a profile in the application generator.