Updated on 26.06.2023.
Q1. Is it admissible if applicant CSO would like to make a collaboration with a local authority out of its district?
A1. Yes, it is possible even though the program prefers collaborations within your local area. In the application form you will be asked to explain why this collaboration is relevant. Please be as specific as possible, so to help us best understanding the type and relevance of your relationship with that local authority.
Q2. May applicants apply from a candidate country to the EU?
A2. Unfortunately, only Turkey and EU members based CSOs are eligible to apply.
Q3. Would it be a problem for the assessment if CSO had zero income in the last fiscal year, due to the pandemic and restrictions related to that?
A3. The financial operational capacity is one of the evaluation criteria, as to guarantee the capacity of the NGO to manage cash flow, etc. Please do explain in the application form your reasons for your current situation. We will take those exceptional cases into consideration at the evaluation process, if they have reasonable ground.
Q4. Are the associations of local authorities eligible for the collaboration CSOs would like to establish or strengthen?
A4. Yes, they are acceptable for collaboration along with municipalities and metropolitan municipalities.
Q5. Are federations of associations eligible to apply?
A5. If the federation of associations is registered as an association itself, it is eligible. The confirmation for this criterion will be proven with the legal status document of the organization. The federations who have an association status can apply by choosing the “association” choice within the application form and by uploading the related legal status document to the system.
Q6. I would like to know what exactly means Local Authority, does it necessarily involve a State authority, or other civil society authorities can be taken into consideration?
A6. With Local Authority we mean State actors at the city level: either municipalities, metropolitan municipalities or associations of local authorities acting at the local, or district level / district municipalities, metropolitan municipalities or associations of local authorities acting at the local or district level in Turkey.
Q7. Are state offices such as the Administration of National Parks considered to be local authorities?
A7. The focus of THE:PLACE is on engaging with local authorities at the municipal level. It currently does not include local bodies of central state organizations.
Q8. Do we need to prepare a project ideas – a project proposal- for the application?
A8. No, you do not need to have a ready project idea. The application form focuses on your organization’s capabilities and motivation to participate in THE:PLACE program. Please refer to our evaluation criteria for more details. Projects will be designed collaboratively with a partner, after participating in the capacity-building activities of the program.
Q9. Do we need to prepare a project ideas – a project proposal- for the application?
A9. No, you do not need to have a ready project idea. The application form focuses on your organization’s capabilities and motivation to participate in THE:PLACE program. Please refer to our evaluation criteria for more details. Projects will be designed collaboratively with a partner, after participating in the capacity-building activities of the program.
Q10. Should we upload the letter of intent for the associate partnership with LA to the additional documents on the application?
A10. No, you don’t need to upload it when applying into THE:PLACE. You will need to provide it later at the end of the project designing process. You will have time to establish all the required relations with LAs and get the letter.
Q11. Is it a disadvantage if our CSO focusing on a topic that was focused on the previous period?
A11. It is not at all an issue; on the contrary, it is considered a really positive outtake if new participants can take over from results generated by previous partnerships. The event scheduled in October in Brussels will be the opportunity to share experiences between participants from the 1st and the 2nd rounds.
Q12. Are program participants going to determine the capacity-building activities or are there specific already determined activities that every organizations have to take?
A12. THE:PLACE program offers semi-structured capacity-building activities that will continue until the project implementation phase. These activities include an intensive coaching event and an online learning program. The content of the online learning program will be tailored to the specific needs and demands of participating CSOs. When it comes to your co-designed projects, you have the freedom to choose the capacity-building activities you want to include, the level of intensity, and the specific topics you wish to focus on.
Q13. Do partners to be matched have to work in the same field?
A.13. No, matched CSOs in the program have the flexibility to choose any topic they want to focus on, as long as it meets the program’s criteria. The program call document provides more detailed information on the criteria.
Partner CSOs can collaborate while working on the same topic by exchanging best practices, sharing experiences, or using different methods and tools. They can also combine their forces, and expertise on different topics, for common objectives which are reasonable and aligned with the program’s objectives.
Q14. What if there is no other participant who works in a similar area as us when we reach the phase of matchmaking phase?
A14. Working on complementary/different areas is also an added value, so even if there is not another association working in the same area as your organization, you might be paired with an association that can provide you with something else you are looking for (an expertise, method, experience you seek to acquire, etc.). It is therefore not an issue.
Q15. What kinds of costs will be eligible costs during the project period?
A15. Costs related to project management (human resources, travels & accommodation, material, communication, etc.) The coverage will be detailed at the time of the project period.
Q16. Should CSOs find partners for the projects before the programme application?
A16. No, you don’t need to. Partnerships will be built through the matchmaking, intensive coaching and online learning programme activities among selected 8 Turkey and 8 EU based CSOs.
Q17. If it’s possible for a European CSO to pick the Turkish CSO/LA they’d like to work with, or are the pairs made only by you?
A17. The application is intended for individual organisations from the EU and Turkey which will be later matched in the course of the programme. However, it is also possible to indicate a preferred partner from the EU (if the applicant is in Turkey) and vice-versa.
Q18. I would like to know if the 22.500 euros grant includes the trips (hotel, flight, food and so on) to Istanbul, Bruxelles and project planning too or these costs will be financed with further funds.
A18. No, the programme’s budget will cover travel and accommodation costs to the events in Istanbul and Brussels separately. The 22.500€ grants will be reserved for the projects related costs.
Q19. I would like to receive some feedback, some details of the selection criteria.
A19. CSOs will be selected based on their organisational capacity, interest, motivation, and willingness to engage throughout the project. Please note that the project language will be English, and participants are expected to be professionally proficient in this language in order to favor the exchange. For further details about the evaluation criteria, please check the Call for Applications page.
