Development cooperation
Finland's support to the South African anti-apartheid movement was transformed into development cooperation in 1995. The objective was to assist South Africa's efforts in building a socially and economically more inclusive and equal society. Currently, a wide range of development cooperation instruments are used: regional cooperation, local cooperation, as well as partnerships between Finnish and South African institutions and businesses.
For more than 20 years, the development cooperation between Finland and South Africa has notably focused on initiatives that promote environmental governance, implementation of renewable energy services, entrepreneurship, and advancement of innovations and information society. The objectives and priorities of the cooperation are defined by both countries but South African institutions are responsible for the implementation of the programmes. Finland's role is to support the initiatives by building capacity and providing know-how.
In line with a Declaration of Intent on Deepening Bilateral Relations and Strengthening Partnerships signed in 2009, grant-based bilateral cooperation has been phased out and focus has turned to building sustainable partnerships and working together on the African continent. This can be realized, for example, through partnerships in regional projects.
List of funded projects 2023-2024
The Fund for Local Cooperation, Programme 2024-2026, Embassy of Pretoria, South Africa
Finland's Development Policy and the FLC
In its development policy, Finland focuses on the strengths that provide good opportunities to support sustainable development. The objectives of development cooperation are based on the Sustainable Development Goals and widely shared priorities, such as strengthening the rights of women and girls, sexual and reproductive health and rights, education, and climate action.
Finland promotes mutually beneficial trade opportunities with developing countries. Finland aims to increase private sector participation in development cooperation and funding and to strengthen developing countries’ own domestic financing.
Finland will continue its long-term human rights policy of promoting and defending the rights of women, girls, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples and gender and sexual minorities, and other people in particularly vulnerable positions. The work to promote and defend human rights also helps the efforts to tackle human trafficking.
The Fund for Local Cooperation is the only instrument of the Finnish Development Policy that is managed at the Embassy level. It complements the other development cooperation instruments and the holistic agenda of the Embassy in the partner countries.
Background and Objectives of the Fund
The priorities of the fund managed by the Embassy in Pretoria include economic development and entrepreneurship, human rights, democracy and functioning of societies. Economic development support will focus on advancing circular economy in South Africa, and waste management and/or water in Lesotho, in continuation Finland’s commitment in this field. This will support economic renewal within private sector, and transitioning to an economic model based on circularity, thus contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. In Botswana, the focus will be on the benefits of digitalization in the private sector. Finland participates in EU Support to Botswana Digital Transformation, and the FLC funding will contribute towards its goals.
Priority in selection of circular economy and digital transformation proposals, will be given to project proposals that also contribute to strengthening of mutually beneficial partnerships between Finnish and local private sector stakeholders.
In South Africa, FLC funding will also be provide to projects addressing human rights issues, especially the rights of vulnerable groups.
The focal areas are:
South Africa:
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Circular Economy
a)Smart and circular solutions in Water Sector
b)Smart and Circular solutions in Mining sector
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A democratic and accountable society that promotes human rights
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Lesotho:
1. Jobs and private sector development in waste management and/or water sector
Botswana:
1. Digital transformation in the private sector
FLC supports Finland’s overall objectives in South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana. The Embassy of Finland in Pretoria manages a number of regional development cooperation programmes all aiming at economic development through support to the private sector and entrepreneurship, while contributing to the green and digital transformation in Africa.
The FLC complements the regional programmes in two ways: it provides the Embassy with a way to continue support for areas thematically important for Finland and South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho. In this way, it provides a different level of engagement for the Embassy that complements our partnership instruments and regional cooperation, as well as promotes the cooperation between the Finnish and local private sector players. On the other hand, it also enables the Embassy to network in areas, which are not otherwise covered by its activities and interventions in the country. This allows the Embassy to engage and dialogue with many civil society organisations, think tanks, research institutions etc. in the country.
One of the main objectives of the Embassy is to promote Finnish knowhow and business opportunities in South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho. FLC is seen as a good vehicle or instrument to complement the other means and ways to promote partnerships between Finnish and local businesses. FLC is complements also the work and objectives Team Finland. It further contributes to Finland’s country image in the focus countries.
Partnerships
The aim is to establish long-term partnerships with a limited number of organizations (4 – 6 every two years), instead of supporting once off activities, seminars, and so forth. Projects/Applications will be assessed based on their relevance to local needs and priorities and taking into account the relevance of a project in relation to the vision and the mission of the applying organization. The Projects/Applications best promoting the focus areas of FLC and the strategic goals of the Embassy will be selected.
Eligibility and Funding Criteria
Actors may include the host country's non-governmental organisations, science and technology communities, universities and other educational and research institutions, independent media, public bodies and cultural institutions (for example, museums, libraries and theatres), chambers of commerce and commercial associations, organisations engaged in the promotion of export and investment, businesses, cooperatives, interest groups of companies and employees, foundations or religious communities.
When companies are supported, the project in question should have as little influence as possible on the local competition conditions. Where the partner is a company, the project may not involve procurement from that company (purchases exceeding a certain threshold value require a call for tenders), but the grant must be an explicit allocation of funding for assistance. In addition, it is essential to ensure that the ODA criteria are met; support is ODA eligible only when its main objective is to promote the economic development and well-being of developing countries. Support should in all cases be directed to a project or other clearly defined target-oriented activities which have verifiable development impacts.
FLC funding cannot be granted:
- to Finnish organisations
- to the government, ministries or municipalities of the host country
- to an unregistered association or organisation
- to support the activities of a political party
- for basic research
- for single cultural events (that have no permanent impact)
- for charity
- for humanitarian aid
- in the form of a grant, scholarship or assistance for the applicant’s personal use;
- for purchasing land
- to a fund
- for building the capital of microcredit systems (however, development projects and training are possible)
The eligibility of all funding proposals is reviewed based on an agreed set of criteria. Applicants should justify the relevance of the proposed activities and demonstrate the potential for broad impact in line with the FLC Programme. Preference is given to results oriented, reputable organisations with experience and the necessary organizational structures in place.
Project Monitoring and Evaluation
The FLC Coordinator monitors the projects paying special emphasis on the results, deliverables, relevance and impact of the projects. All funded organizations shall conduct an annual audit. In addition to the regular audits, principles of good governance shall be applied. Prior to signing the funding agreement a special due diligence and financial management assessment of the Applicant shall be conducted. Any 'improvements' needed, the organization may hire an expert to set up acceptable FM procedures at their expense.
Fund for Local Cooperation (FLC) in Pretoria South, Africa 2024 Call for Project Proposals is Open
Further information can be requested from:
[email protected]
Postal address:
Embassy of Finland, FLC
PO Box 443, Pretoria 0001
Telephone: +27 12 343 0275 e