General Information about the Matra Programme

The Matra Social Transformation Programme has made an active contribution to promoting security, cooperation and democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and selected countries neighbouring the European Union (EU). Since 1994, the Dutch government has used Matra to encourage social regeneration in countries throughout the region.
The programme's general aim is to support the transformation to a plural, democratic society governed by the rule of law. It therefore supports activities that promote reform of the state and its institutions, civil society organisations and the connections between them.

Themes

The Matra Programme has twelve qualifying themes:

• legislation and law-making
• public administration and public order
• information and media
• human rights and minorities
• environment
• labour and social policy
• culture
• healthcare
• welfare
• housing
• education
• biodiversity

Countries

The number of countries, where the Matra programme is implemented, has risen significantly in recent years. Currently Matra operates in 22 countries, among which the Russian Federation.

Matra Instruments

To implement the Matra programme, different instruments (subprogrammes) have been developed that aim to facilitate social transformation in a variety of ways. The most important programmes are briefly outlined below.

Matra Projects Programme ( Matra/MPP)

The focus of this programme – Matra's most important instrument – is "twinning": direct cooperation between local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Dutch NGOs that offer support for projects carried out with and by their Eastern or Central European partners. An application for Matra subsidy in the framework of the Matra Projects Programme can be submitted by Dutch NGOs, Dutch municipalities and provinces based on their twinning arrangements with towns and provinces in Central and Eastern Europe, or by Dutch consultancy firms. Applications are accepted twice per year. Applications are to be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, which makes a decision whether to support a project or not on the basis of consultations with a Dutch Embassy or Consulate, as well as with other ministries.

Matra Small Embassy Projects Programme (Matra/KAP)

Small Embassy Projects are small-scale local initiatives that are given modest financial support by a Dutch embassy. The programme supports the establishment of small NGOs and provides limited contributions to help NGOs fund activities in the areas of, for example, knowledge transfer, culture, public information provision or education.

Matra Small Nature Protection Initiative Projects (Matra/KNIP)

This is a programme to support international environmental activity. It is implemented by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Food Control. The aim of the programme is to work out a policy in biodiversity maintenance. Russian organizations should submit their applications to the Agricultural Section of the Dutch Embassy in Moscow. Applications are accepted throughout the year. The funds are limited.

Matra Training for European Cooperation ( MTEC)

This programme is designed to organize educational courses with the help of Dutch educational institutions for specialists from countries covered by the Matra programme. Currently Russian citizens can submit applications to participate in four MTEC programmes: a one-year programme in international law; a two-year programme in ecological management; a two-week course in infectious diseases; and a three-week course in food safety. The competitive selection is held by the EVD/CROSS – a Dutch Governmental Agency for Co-operation in the Sphere of Education with the countries of the Central and Eastern Europe.

Matra-flex Programme ( Flex)

This programme provides an interim funding for inter-governmental co-operation and partnership between a Dutch ministry and the corresponding ministry of the partner country. The activity may include exchange of management staff, internships, study trips, trainings, seminars, conferences. Applications can be submitted by Dutch ministries and other governmental organizations only. The decision to support a project is taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on the basis of existing bilateral agreements between the corresponding ministries of the Netherlands and the partner country.

Matra Small Local Activities Programme ( Matra/KPA)

This programme is implemented by Dutch non-governmental organization NCDO (National Commission on Sustainable Development). It aims to fill in the gap between the limited scope of the Small Embassy Projects Programme and the large Matra Projects Programme proposals.

More information on the Matra programme is available  here.