Call for regional project proposals in the South Caucasus for 2025-2026 - Funds for Local Cooperation

The Office of the Roving Ambassador of Finland to the South Caucasus is opening a Call for FLC projects in the South Caucasus region for 2025-2026. NB! The deadline for regional project proposals has been extended until 17 November!

The Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC) is a part of Finland’s official development co-operation. FLC is geared for local civil society actors to carry out well-targeted projects with clear goals and sustainable outcome. The FLC supports the overall aims of the development policy of Finland. The focus of the funded projects and activities should focus on the goals defined in the Finnish development policy program, taking into account the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) as well as sustainable partnerships.

The Office of the Roving Ambassador of Finland to the South Caucasus manages the FLC activities in the whole South Caucasus region. The office of the Roving Ambassador of Finland to the South Caucasus is now seeking proposals for non-profit regional projects with the cross-boundary implementation that will ideally cover Armenia, Azerbaidzhan and Georgia, or at least two of them. The chosen projects will be funded through the Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC) instrument in 2025-2026. The expected project length is approximately one year and must begin by the end of 2025 by signing the project Agreement and finalizing the first installment of the grant.

The office aims to fund two or three regional projects with around 35.000€ - 40.000 € funding per project. The extended deadline for submission is November 17, 2025 at midnight (Helsinki time UTC+2).

Priority areas for regional projects in 2025-2026

  • Theme 1: Climate action: environment protection and resilience building

  • Theme 2: Digitalization development, education and media literacy

  • Theme 3: Economic and social empowerment of women, girls, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples and gender and sexual minorities, and other people in particularly vulnerable positions.

Criteria for Eligibility

  • FLC-recipient should have a genuine, credible domestic basis, registered, national or community-based organization (non-governmental and non-profit) with the preference to project activities outside the country capitals.

  • The proposed activities should reach a reasonably large audience and have potential for a broad impact, capacity building and sustainability.
  • Prospective applicants must provide detailed information on their organization. Funds should be used for projects only, not for core expenses of the recipient. (see below)

The applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Alignment with Finland’s development policy 

  • The budget of the project is 35.000 € - 40.000 €.

  • The preferable duration of the project is 1-1.5 years. The project must start before the end of the year of 2025, and has to be concluded by the end of the year 2026 or springtime 2027.
  • The geographical location, innovation and environmental aspects of the projects are considered as an asset.

  • Past experiences of projects with a similar focus.

  • Project outputs are clearly defined, with indicators, baseline data as well as risk assessment and risk management.

  • Clarity on the main beneficiaries.

  • Effective and efficient use of the funds - the organization needs to demonstrate in the budget proposal that the funds will be used effectively to reach the specified objectives.

  • Sustainability of the results. The organization needs to indicate clearly how the impact of the project will be sustainable after the funding has ended.

The FLC projects are, as a rule, not meant to cover the operating expenses of the partner organization. The project plan and budget may include some "general" expenses: staff training and the direct costs related to the strategic planning of the organization. 

The Fund is designed to support projects. It is not intended to support the operating expenses of the organizations. The administrative costs for the project must be reasonable.

As FLC Funding is meant for local civil society organisations in South Caucasus, funds cannot be granted to the following entities:

  • To the Government, ministries or municipalities of the host country
  • To an unregistered association or organization (however, taking into consideration the special circumstances in the host country)
  • To support the activities of a political party
  • For basic research
  • For single cultural events (that have no permanent development impact)
  • For charity, humanitarian aid, or applicant’s personal use

How to apply for funding?

Applications must be sent by e-mail to address: [email protected] with headliner "Application for FLC, South Caucasus"

The new extended deadline for submitting applications is Monday, November 17, 2025, at midnight Helsinki time (UTC+2). Project proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. All applicants will be informed about the final decision to the email indicated in their applications, also in case the proposal is not approved.

The application should include the attached Application Form duly and carefully filled in. All applicants use the same application form in order to guarantee that all key facts are presented and to allow for better comparability. The application and possible attachments have to be written in English. The budget has to be submitted in euros. Only complete applications will be considered.

Application form (word 22 kb)

Additional information

The Office of the Roving Ambassador of Finland to South Caucasus reserves the right to accept or reject project proposals. During the implementation period, the Office shall communicate with FLC, visit the contact persons, support and follow jointly the execution. The Office has also a right to evaluate and audit a project at any time; the organization responsible for the project has to make all required documentation available for the evaluation/audit if asked.

The Agreement with the Office of the Roving Ambassador has to be signed and stamped by an authorised representative of the organization.

For more information, please, send your questions by email e[email protected] .