The general aim of the Matra Programme is contribute to the development of a plural democracy, grounded rule of law with room for dialogue between government and civil society; to build capacity and strengthen the institutions of civil society and government, and to strengthen bilateral relations between the Matra countries and the Netherlands.
Since January 2010 the Ministry has introduced revised and modernised Matra programme, that takes into account changes that took place in the Central and Easter European and former Soviet Union countries since 1993 when the programme was first launched.
Full modernised Matra policy document can be viewed 
here.
Compared to the previous years when several funding instruments were used, the modernised Matra programme is presented as one, single programme. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to support projects that involve the Dutch partnership (former MPP programme) and there will be no competition rounds, and projects can be submitted all year round. The Embassy will continue supporting Armenian and Georgian non-governmental organisations with delegated funds (what was formerly KAP programme). For each country, two or three priority themes have been chosen. Only projects that address one of the priority themes for a given country will be eligible for funding under the new MATRA programme for that country.
Qualifying themes for Armenia are:
Human rights and minorities, information and media
- Activities in the fields of human rights: addressing issues related to the protection and promotion of the fundamental rights and freedoms, promoting the rights of vulnerable groups; fighting against discrimination on any ground; engaging civil society in the human rights policy dialogue; monitoring the implementation and fulfilment of the states obligations within the international conventions and treaties;
- Rights and integration of minorities;
- Research & Public information services to improve the functioning of a democratic society;
- Support for free media: radio, television and journalism; support for the use of new media; issues related to the freedom of information;
- Awareness-raising campaigns.
Human welfare
- Developing volunteer work and private initiative; societies and clubs
- Improving the quality of professional care for the elderly and the disabled
- “Children at risk”: street children, children and AIDS, child prostitution, juvenile delinquents, child labour
- Other initiatives related to specific issues of social / human development, including civil society engagement in the social / human welfare policy dialogue
The priority themes for Georgia are (examples given are not an exhaustive list of areas of intervention):
Human rights and minorities, information and media
- Activities in the fields of human rights: addressing issues related to the protection and promotion of the fundamental rights and freedoms, promoting the rights of vulnerable groups; fighting against discrimination on any ground; engaging civil society in the human rights policy dialogue; monitoring the implementation and fulfilment of the states obligations within the international conventions and treaties;
- Rights and integration of minorities;
- Research & Public information services to improve the functioning of a democratic society;
- Support for free media: radio, television and journalism; support for the use of new media; issues related to the freedom of information;
- Awareness-raising campaigns.
Nature and Environmental protection
- Building and strengthening environmental and nature conservation organisations and their networks;
- Environmental education and public awareness raising;
- Policy advocacy on protection of the environment;
- Small scale demonstration projects on environment protection in practice (with potential for replication on a larger scale / adoption by private sector / government);
- Promotion and protection of biodiversity.
In 2010 the Embassy will hold two rounds of competitions for the delegated Matra funds, for the eligible Armenian and Georgian non-governmental organisations.
Deadlines for submitting project proposals are:
1 April 2010, 16:00
1 September 2010, 16:00
The funds will be used to support small-scale local initiatives that are given modest financial support by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Tbilisi. In this way, 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, public information provision or education.
From 2010 onwards the Embassy will accept project proposals of two distinctly different types:
- Projects with duration of one year with the maximum amount of 25.000 Euros (budgets must be in GEL in case of Georgian projects). Such projects represent a clear-cut intervention, with a deliberate end-result to be achieved in the one-year period. Financial sustainability of the intervention is ideal, but not an absolute requirement. For such projects, MATRA could serve as seed-money that allows a project idea to prove itself, and on that basis qualify for other forms of donor / private / government funding. MATRA funding remains in principle a one-time support.
- Two-year project proposals with maximum amount of 50.000 Euros (budgets must be in GEL in case of Georgian projects). In contrast to the one-year project, the longer / larger projects represent a deliberate investment in a longer term sustainable result / impact. These projects should therefore demonstrate strong sustainability of the project results, anticipated and deliberate progress in resolving the issues rose in the project or building of the organisational capacity. Simple repetition of activities will not be considered as a valid reason for granting two-year support.
Who can apply?
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) established in the Armenia or Georgia.
What activities are eligible for local MATRA funding?
In general, projects that promote social change will be eligible for funding. Such change should affect civic organization, institutions and social relations; in short, anything which promotes social reform and the creation of a pluralistic democratic constitutional state.
The descriptions of MATRA themes for Georgia and Armenia given here [link This should take to the section above, where themes are listed ] provide examples of the kind of aims / interventions that would be eligible for local MATRA funding.
- MATRA supports local initiatives, it is demand driven and supports target group initiatives:
- applications must be relevant to Matra objectives;
- application must relate to the two country priority themes mentioned above;
- the project should be a local initiative;
- eligibility for funding is limited to local costs;
- the target group should be clearly defined and actively involved in project implementation;
- it is desirable that the applicant contributes to the project in terms of money or otherwise (work, materials, facilities);
- the project should be feasible, i.e. it is possible to implement it in the local circumstances;
- project must be small-scale;
- must be non-commercial.
Matra does not support:
- projects that are a repetition of previous projects ;
- charitable activities;
- international travel expenses;
- commercial activities;
- activities that come under an organisation’s normal operational budget.
Co-financing with other donors is possible if:
- Matra’s visibility is guaranteed;
- a clear, transparent description is given of the Matra activities (or alternatively all donors agree to co-finance the costs jointly over an identical project implementation period);
- the budget balances.
The 
standard application form and the format of budget (
1 year, 2 years) are be available for download or sent by email upon request. Please read frequently asked questions before filling in the application form or making inquiries.
What projects have been supported so far?
Please follow this link to see the previous Matra projects supported by the Embassy.
For the Dutch – Armenian and Dutch - Georgian partnership projects, please follow this link.
Where can we get further information?
For further questions, please contact:
Sophiko Gelashvili
Civil Society Programme Manager (Matra)
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel
20 Telavi Street,
0103 Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel.: +995 32- 276 200
Fax: +995 32 276 232
E-mail: 
tbi-matra@minbuza.nl
For questions related to the projects involving the Dutch partnership, please contact:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Southeast and Eastern Europe and Matra Programme Department
DZO/OE
Postbus 20061
2500 EB Den Haag
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)70 348 5749
Fax: +31 (0) 70 348 4797
E-mail: Matra@minbuza.nl
