British Embassy Zagreb invites bids for Impact Fund 2023 to 2024
British Embassy Zagreb invites organisations to submit by 30 May 2023 project proposals for activities which strengthen relationships between the UK and Croatia.
The British Embassy in Zagreb is inviting organisations to submit project proposals. For all thematic areas, project proposals which strengthen and nurture relationships between Croatian and UK-based organisations and individuals will have an advantage.
Themes
This year, the call will focus on organisations, projects and activities, which link to the following thematic areas:
Security and Shared Values: Action on regional and global challenges
Projects which promote and defend the UK and Croatia’s shared values of democracy, social inclusivity, and commitment to the rules-based international system. Applications in this strand will need to demonstrate relevance to the current global political and socio-economic challenges including, but not limited to:
- countering threats to stability and security in Europe, especially disinformation
- the rights of vulnerable groups in society, including minorities
- promoting gender equality and tackling violence against women and girls
- tackling antisemitism and supporting Croatia’s International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance presidency, including Croatia’s aims to give the IHRA greater visibility, safeguarding contemporary memory by developing digital technological solutions, promoting tolerance and the IHRA definitions, and combating hate speech in sport
- promoting tolerance and inclusivity, particularly amongst young people
A special emphasis should be on activities which generate change, or which have a wider social impact.
Innovation, Science and Technology: Promoting tech, research, education and innovation partnerships between the UK and Croatia
Projects which nurture long-term innovation, science and technology, and education partnerships, with a special emphasis on UK-Croatia cooperation in these areas. We especially encourage projects in the following areas:
- establishing new connections and partnerships between researchers and institutions in the UK and Croatia, including small-scale researcher mobility schemes
- joint initiatives or exchanges between the UK and Croatia in areas of AI, quantum technologies, engineering biology, semiconductors, and data
- sharing expertise and capacity building on technology transfer (commercialisation of innovations at universities) between the UK and Croatia
- exchange of expertise and capacity building in the field of cyber security, protection of research and intellectual property
- values-based governance and regulation of new and emerging technologies, with a special emphasis on AI
- transnational education partnerships between universities in the UK and Croatia
Projects, which support trade and investment links between the UK and Croatia:
- regional initiatives which promote investment or attract UK-based Venture Capital
- addressing barriers to market access between the UK and Croatia
- promoting partnerships between UK and Croatian companies and industry
- exposing Croatian companies to UK business and tech ecosystems
Energy: Diversification and building towards net zero emissions
Projects which promote energy diversification and transition from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption — including oil, natural gas and coal — to green and renewable energy sources like hydrogen, nuclear, geothermal, wind and solar.
Applicants in this strand are encouraged to propose projects in the following areas:
- establishing new policy, commercial and research connections and exchanges between the UK and Croatia in net zero technology
- building multilateral collaboration for tackling climate change
- establishing regional net zero collaboration networks in Central Europe
- facilitate grassroots-level knowledge exchanges between the UK and Croatian organisations working on energy efficiency, diversification or renewable energy
Activity bid guidance
The British Embassy aims to support projects with activities taking place between 1 June 2023 and 15 February 2024, with no expectation of continued funding beyond the stated period.
Maximum project budget limit: 13,500 Euros
Project bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- alignment with thematic priorities and likelihood of achieving a real-world impact
- outcomes that are achievable within the funding period and offer value for money
- activity design that includes clear evaluation procedures and measures of impact
- activity design that includes risk and financial accountability procedures
- the organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure protection of beneficiaries, especially vulnerable individuals and children
Bidding process
- Proposals must be submitted using the online application form.
- All proposals must be received by 11:59pm on 30 May 2023. Late proposals will not be considered.
- Successful bidders will be notified by the end of June.
Transparency
The British Embassy in Zagreb will organise an online Q&A session about the bidding process on 16 May 2023 at 12:30pm CET. To attend the event register using this online form.
Additional information and documentation
All project implementers will be expected to sign a standard contract or grant agreement with the Embassy provided by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The terms of the contract or agreement are not negotiable.
All projects are expected to have achieved 85% spend by end December 2023. Proposed budgets must reflect this requirement.
In view of the any possible epidemiological situation all events/activities must adhere to Croatia’s National Civil Protection Directorate guidelines at the time activities are implemented.