International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
Marked annually onMarch 8th,International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:
- celebrate women’s achievements
- raise awareness about women’s equality
- lobby for accelerated gender parity
- fundraise for female-focused charities
On March 8, it is important to recall that women in Bulgaria have been fighting for equality for more than a century. Thanks to this long tradition of the women’s movement, today women have the right to study, to take part in the democratic process, whether by voting, engaging in other forms of political participation, or ultimately running for office, and to right to equal pay.
But there’s a long way to go until all women can enjoy these rights. It is our responsibility to preserve and build on everything that the women’s movement of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers has won over the past hundred years. And to insist on more. It is our responsibility to continue the fight for equality.
The Bulgarian Fund for Women is happy to announce a Contest for Conceptual Projects Dedicated to the International Women’s Day – March 8.
We at the Bulgarian Fund for Women are happy to announce the start of the Contest for Conceptual Projects Dedicated to International Women’s Day – March 8.
We look forward to seeing the best of ideas come to life! Let’s celebrate the rights and contributions of women in Bulgaria and around the world, and take a closer look at some of the urgent issues women are facing today.
Competition information and application guidelines
This competition supports BFW’s vision for all women and girls to live in a just and equal world where their voices are heard and their choices are respected.
There are no restrictions on the activities that can be funded. Examples include organizing marches around the country, events and campaigns (online or offline), artistry, video, photography or audio content, film screenings/discussions, exhibitions and pop-up installations, flashmobs and other activities that are thematically related to March 8 and political activism, as well as equality, non-discrimination and women’s and girls’ rights. Project ideas must be implemented on 8 March (International Women’s Day) or within the month of March 2022.
IMPORTANT: All project ideas need to comply with the current official prescriptions (and/or restrictive measures) related to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 when planning and executing public events, meetings and activities.
Up to 10 projects will be funded with a maximum budget of BGN 3,000 (three thousand leva). In the event of an insufficient number of project ideas received and/or approved for funding, the Bulgarian Fund for Women reserves the right to change the terms of the competition, including the amount of funding.
The competition is held with the financial support of the online shopping platform Answear.bg, the British Embassy Sofia, individual and corporate donors.
The contest is open to:
- Organizations registered under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act (NPOA) for public benefit;
- Unregistered groups/collectives through a fiscal sponsor – partner organization or through a representative of the collective with whom a contract will be concluded;
- Activists/individuals.
The budget of each project proposal must be well balanced and in line with the proposed idea. Eligible costs are also the costs of administration, coordination and communication of the project. It is not mandatory to have an own financial contribution, however in case it is included in the approved budget, it becomes an integral part of the contract. Voluntary labor is not considered as own financial contribution and is not costed.
In the evaluation, preference will be given to:
- Project ideas relying on an intersectional approach to/intersection of social inequalities;
- Project ideas that directly involve vulnerable groups of women (subject to multiple discrimination and/or marginalization);
- Project ideas that are implemented outside Sofia;
- Project ideas that develop women’s rights advocacy activities and engage local and/or national authorities;
- Project ideas that aim to organize marches or other public events with the potential to mobilize a wide range of people and communities.
Application
You can apply by completing the Project Concept Form, Budget Form and the Declaration of Credibility and Data Protection. The declaration is an integral part of the application package and must be sent with the signature and stamp of the legal representative of the applicant organization or individual, together with the Application Form (Word format – .doc/.docx) and the Budget Form (Excel format – .xlsx).
Informal collectives have the option to choose whether to submit their application through an NGO or through an individual representative(s) of the collective. In the case of a contract, we will expect an agreement for collaboration between the applicant and the partners.
Depending on whether you are applying on behalf of an NGO or an individual, you will need to complete the relevant form below (in Bulgarian).
- To access the application form for non-profit organizations: HERE.
- Access to Application Form for individuals: HERE.
- Access to Budget Form: HERE.
- Access to the Declaration of Credibility and Data Protection: HERE.
NB: The Budget Form and the Declaration of Credibility and Data Protection are the same for NGOs and individuals.
The package of documents should be sent to grants@bgfundforwomen.org with the subject of the email: “March 8” Contest
For further information and questions, please refer again to the email address above. Telephone consultations will not be provided.
Evaluation criteria
- Originality and relevance of the proposed activities;
- Relevance of the project’s objectives and activities to the theme of this competition;
- Realistic objectives and expected results;
- Good understanding of women’s discourse;
- Realistic budget and balance between administrative costs and the costs of executing the activities.
The projects will be evaluated by the BFW team.
Deadlines
- February 3, 2022 – Call for project ideas;
- February 9, 2022 – evaluation of project ideas and announcement of results;
- February 14, 2022 – signing of contracts and funding;
- February 14 – March 31, 2022 – project implementation;
- April 20, 2022 deadline for reporting on project ideas.
Further information
All approved applicants will sign a Contract for Earmarked Funding with the Bulgarian Fund for Women, and after the completion of the projects, by April 20, 2022, the beneficiaries must send a narrative and financial report according to the templates and guidelines that will be provided in advance by the BFW.
The support of the Bulgarian Fund for Women must be reflected in all communication activities and materials of the project, according to the conditions of the funding contract.
The BFW is a data administrator and processes personal data in accordance with data protection legislation and Regulation (EU) 2016/679. You can read our personal data processing policy HERE.
Terms and conditions of application
By submitting the application package, all applicants declare that they are aware of the general conditions of application of the Bulgarian Fund for Women.
General conditions for granting earmarked financial assistance to individuals for the implementation of projects of public benefit.
General conditions for granting earmarked grant funding to non-profit legal entities for public benefit and unregistered groups/collectives active for public benefit.
