PROTEUS is a CERV project of the European Union which aims to strengthen civil society organizations and support democratic participation through training and financial assistance.
If your civil society organization was recently established and seeks to develop its capacity and potential; if you work on topics and issues related to civic engagement; if your organization supports European values and fundamental rights; if your organization’s activities aim to contribute to the civil society in Bulgaria, then the PROTEUS Capacity Development Program is the right program for you.
Who is the PROTEUS Capacity Development program for?
We are looking for up to 25 representatives of civil society organizations in the country that:
- wish to continue their organization’s development and enhance its capacity;
- work in small towns or places that are remote from city centres; towns with little social and economic development (organizations whose headquarters are in big cities are eligible, but their activity should actively cover smaller and remote places)
- work on social, political, or cultural issues affecting civic participation;
- recognize their community’s problems and actively work on them;
- believe in the importance and power of civic education and civic engagement, and the values and fundamental rights in the European Union;
- want to develop competencies and skills that will benefit the development of the civic organizations they represent;
- aim to develop competencies and skills that will help them help civic causes which contribute to the improvement of the civic environment and participation in the community;
- are ready and motivated to spend 3 weekends (within a few months) to complete our training.
The program is for representatives of civic organizations (individuals who don’t work with organizations like these can’t participate). Only 1 representative per organization can apply.
What does the program offer?
The PROTEUS program includes:
- a series of trainings designed to develop your skills and competencies to improve your organization’s capacity like fundraising, project work, financial management, and communication skills. The program contains 3 trainings: 2 are within 2 weekends in November 2023 (10.11-12.11 and 24.11-26.11). The third event will be in the spring of 2024.
- mentoring and support from the team of the Sofia Platform Foundation, coaches, and other experts.
- an opportunity for application for funding for the implementation of a local project on a topic related to civic participation (500-2500 euros). This opportunity is for participants in the training only. They will go through a procedure of application for their project proposals. The funding is an opportunity to apply what the representatives learnt during the training, as well as an opportunity for the participants in the training to implement their own initiative. The application will be separate.
- a network of like-minded people from all over the country.
All accommodation, transport, and food costs during the training sessions will be covered by the foundation “Sofia Platform”.
How to apply?
Send to proteus@sofiaplatform.org:
- A current profile of your organization: a presentation of your organization, its mission, goals, projects, and team.
- CV of the representative of the organization and a motivation letter;
- Confirmation that you can attend all the trainings.
The deadline for applications is 21st September 2023. The foundation “Sofia Platform” will hold an informative meeting on 14th September 2023 at 11 a.m. More information about the meeting here.
Translation: Malena Petrova
