Call: Operating grants 2021 to EU level networks having signed a framework partnership agreement for the period 2018-2021 and being active in the areas of social inclusion and poverty reduction, or microfinance and social enterprise finance

The Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme is a financing instrument at EU level to promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions.

Objectives:

• Strengthen ownership of EU objectives and coordination of action at EU and national level in the areas of employment, social affairs and inclusion
• Support the development of adequate social protection systems and labour market policies
• Modernise EU legislation and ensure its effective application
• Promote geographical mobility and boost employment opportunities by developing an open labour market
• Increase the availability and accessibility of microfinance for vulnerable groups and micro-enterprises, and increase access to finance for social enterprises

The PROGRESS axis of EaSI helps the EU and its countries to improve policies in three thematic sections:

• employment, in particular to fight youth unemployment
• social protection, social inclusion and the reduction and prevention of poverty
• working conditions

The purpose of this call for proposals is to provide specific operating grants to support the implementation of the 2021 work programmes of EU-level networks of non-governmental organisations (NGO) having concluded a Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) with the European Commission.
The networks support the Commission in its outreach activities at EU, national and local level with the aim of:
(1) ensuring awareness, contribution to and implementation of EU level policies and initiatives in the areas of the promotion of social inclusion and poverty reduction for Area 1; or
(2) supporting the implementation of the financial instruments for microfinance and social entrepreneurship for Area 2.

Total budget:

• Area 1: 10,5 million €
  • Amount per grant: min. 100 000 € and max. 1 million €
• Area 2: 1,6 million €
  • Amount per grant: min. 100 000 € and max. 600 000 €