Royal Netherlands Embassy, Belgrade, Serbia

Agriculture/MATRA-KNIP
Financial support for NGO's for nature conservation activities
The main objective of the Matra/KNIP Programme of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is to stimulate Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's) to develop more nature conservation activities in their respective countries and to increase awareness of the public on nature conservation. The Matra/KNIP projects (Small-scale Nature-protection Initiatives Projects in Dutch) have the function of "seed-money" for later activities. Those activities are supported financially by third parties in the function of "serving as an example" (to strengthen nature protection activities elsewhere). Requests for Matra/KNIP grants from Serbian-Montenegrin applicants should be directed to the Office for Agricultural, Nature & Food Quality. The Counsellor is empowered to extend grants to a maximum of Euro 15.000,00 - to be spent within a period of one year.
Conditions
Although the grants are small, the Embassy takes great care to ensure that they are relevant and helpful, and that they are properly used. Therefore:
1.	applications must be presented in a specific format (see application procedure);
2.	the project content and the project approach must fit within Matra/KNIP objectives;
3.	a transparent reporting procedure is required.
Please note that one organization can receive a grant only once every three years.
Required project content
In order to be eligible for a Matra/KNIP grant, the project must be aimed at nature conservation activities of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's). For Serbia-Montenegro the priority areas for financial support to NGO's include: wetlands and migratory birds, partners in nature conservation and management, forest activities, exchange of expert knowledge on Eco-systems, nature education.
Required project approach
	The project should be a local initiative.
	Target group should be clearly defined.
	The recipient should contribute with money and/or in kind.
	The project should be feasible in the given local circumstances and other respects.
	It should be small-scale and non-commercial.
	Its duration may not exceed twelve months.
Required application procedure
	The application must be submitted by the project organisers to the Netherlands Embassy.
	The application should be written in the English language (it is possible to include a Serbian version).
	The applicant should add a signed introductory letter to the project proposal.
	The project proposal should include:
-	project title;
-	information on the organisation and its most important achievements;
-	a detailed description of the project aims;
-	the planned activities;
-	expected output/ result of the project;
-	a clear definition of the target group;
-	a clear definition of the participants in the project and their tasks;
-	a timetable for the implementation of the project;
-	evaluation of result (what will be evaluated and how?);
-	a detailed and transparent budget (a table with columns) in the Euro currency estimating all costs and specifying each contribution. The budget must show all the contributions from the project organizers and the target group (who sponsors which part of the budget); specifying furthermore the desired Matra/KNIP contribution and its purpose.
The funds must be earmarked for specific project activities.
Restrictions
	The Embassy does not sponsor project organizers fees or salaries of the employees of the organizing NGO.
	The Embassy does not sponsor construction costs.
	The Embassy does not sponsor stationery costs.
	The Embassy does not sponsor projects which have already started or are already completed.
Approval, contract, payment, reporting
If the project is approved, the applicant receives two copies of the contract, outlining the conditions of the grant. One copy is to be signed and returned to the Embassy. Upon receipt of this, the Embassy pays the first instalment of the grant (80%). Not later than two months after finalization of the entire project, the contractor will submit to the Embassy a project evaluation report and a financial report regarding the Embassy's grant. The project evaluation report describes the overall evaluation of the project according to the project-proposal, i.e. planned activities vs. realized, encountered problems or successes, opinions of organizers and participants, lessons learnt and future plans. The financial report consists of a table of the final realized budget where every bill/document is specified. With this report the contractor will submit original bills and other documents proving the expenditures. Upon approval of these documents, the Embassy pays the second and final instalment (20%). The Embassy reserves the right to inspect the project accounts and activities at any time. Any changes in the budget which concern the Embassy's donation require our permission. In case of prolongation of the project duration, please notify the Embassy.

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