• Requirements
• Financial support
• Submission of an application

In the framework of “the Small Embassy Project Programme” (known by the Dutch acronym Matra/KAP) the Dutch Government offers financial support to various small-scale projects. The programme supports the establishment of small local NGOs and provides limited contributions to help NGOs fund activities in the areas of knowledge transfer, public information provision, education, culture and more.

Matra/KAP is a demand-driven programme and therefore only supports target group initiatives. To be eligible for a Matra/KAP grant, projects should promote the process of transformation into a pluralist, democratic society by helping to create a stronger, more diverse civil society.

In most parts of the Russian Federation the Matra/KAP Programme is implemented by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Moscow:

Kalashny Pereulok 6, 131000 Moscow, Russia
Phone: + 7 495 797 2900
Fax: + 7 495 797 2959
E-mail:    mos-matra@minbuza.nl

The Matra/KAP Programme in the North-West Region of the Russian Federation (St. Petersburg, Karelia, Arkhangelsk, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda Oblasts) is implemented by the Consulate General of the Netherlands in St. Petersburg:

Moika Embankment 11, 191186 St. Petersburg, Russia
Phone: + 7 812 334 0200
Fax: + 7 812 334 0225
E-mail:    pet@minbuza.nl

Organizations, registered in the above-mentioned regions, should submit their applications to the Consulate General in St. Petersburg.
 

Requirements for Projects Submitted for Funding by the Matra/KAP Programme

• the project should be consistent with the objectives of the Matra Programme and one of its themes mentioned in the application form;
• the project should not be a continuation (development) of the day-to-day work of an organization;
• the project should be small-scale and represent certain actions that will be completed within a precisely set time-frame;
• the applicant must significantly contribute to the project in terms of money and/or otherwise (work, materials, equipment, facilities, etc.);
• The time-frame of the project should preferably not exceed 12 months.

While considering applications for a grant the following is taken into account:

• clearly defined issues, tasks and target groups;
• the character of the proposed activity, the planned results, the schedule of implementation, a clearly defined correlation between the planned activity and the budget;
• the active involvement of the target group in all stages of the project;
• the competence of the organization.

Financial Support

The maximum grant within the Matra/KAP Programme framework is 900 000 Russian rubles.

The Matra/KAP Programme does not support:

• charity (including humanitarian aid, food and medicine supplies);
• scientific research;
• commercial projects;
• activities, that can be funded by the applicants own regular budget;
• projects that repeat previous ones, or projects that have already started by the time of submission of the application.

Grants are not given to:

• individual persons;
• non-registered organizations;
• state organizations;
• commercial organizations;
• religious organizations;
• political parties.

A Matra/KAP grant can be used for the following: a short-time rent of premises for holding conferences, seminars, exhibitions, etc; accommodation, travel and printing expenses; purchase of stationery. A modest part of the grant can be used to purchase equipment and to pay fees to invited specialists who are not employees of the applicant, provided that they have a time-limited contract for the period of the project and provide a certain service. If part of the activity is to be carried out by a sub-contractor, only a small part of the grant can be used for payment of these services.

Joint funding of a project by the Matra/KAP Programme and other donors is possible as an exception, provided that the:

• activity funded by the Matra/KAP Programme is clearly defined and mentioned separately from the activity, funded by other donors;
• other donors and their contribution are clearly defined;
• visibility of the Matra Programme is guaranteed.

Submission of an Application

Applications for a Matra/KAP Programme grant should be drawn up by the applicant himself in Russian or English according to the application form. For additional information applicants can contact the Matra Policy Advisors of the Embassy or the Consulate General.

Applications filled in by hand are not accepted. Remember to mention the date and set your signature and a seal of your organization. It is possible to reprint an application form in order to expand or shorten its sections. A filled-in and signed application form should be sent by registered mail in one copy. Applications sent by fax or e-mail are not accepted. A photocopy of the Certificate of Registration of an applicant is an obligatory annex.

The submitted application will be considered within four months. The Embassy will inform the applicant in written form about the results. Within one year, an organization can obtain a Matra/KAP Programme grant only for 1 (one) project.

The budget of a project should be drawn up in Russian rubles. The maximum grant is 900 000 Russian rubles. If an organization mentions its own significant contribution in rubles, then it should provide evidence (e.g. a bank statement).  If other donors’ contribution is mentioned, evidence also must be enclosed.

The Royal Netherlands Embassy uses no deadlines for submission of applications. Applications are accepted constantly throughout the year. Since the Matra/KAP Programme funds are limited, approval of applications may be withheld even when all of the above-mentioned requirements are met.

After the signing of the contract, 80% of the grant will be transferred to a bank account of the implementing organization. After interim financial and narrative reports have been approved, the remaining 20% will be transferred. Within three months following the completion of the project, the applicant is to present final financial and narrative reports.

The Royal Netherlands Embassy retains the right at any time to inspect and assess the accounts and project activities.

The organization that received a Matra/KAP grant can submit a new application only after the final financial and narrative reports about the completion of the previous project have been approved, provided that a new project is not to be a continuation of the previous one.

An application form for a Matra/KAP Programme grant you can find  here