Grants

What is a grant?

A sum of money, awarded by one party, either a governmental or a non-governmental organization, to another, for a particular purpose;
It contains certain requirements and objectives, such as fitting regional requirements, having to be an NGO legally registered or the activity or programme suiting the grantors’ field of interest.

Types of Grants

Structural Grants

These are normally known as Framework Partnership Agreements;
Their aim is to fund general administrative costs incurred by the NGO, supporting the organization's overall activities.

Operating Grants

Within ELSA, which categories of grants are there?

National Grants

A grant for which only one National Group is eligible, under the criteria set out by the grantor.

International Grants

A grant for which one or more National Groups and/or ELSA International are eligible, under the criteria set out by the grantor.
Although only ELSA International is allowed to apply for an international grant, ELSA groups, wishing to apply, may ask the Treasurer of ELSA International for permission to do so.

Which are the most relevant International Grants for ELSA?

Erasmus+

Erasmus+ is an EU programme that supports education, training, youth and sport in Europe.
The 2021-2017 programme has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion and places strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions.

Key Actions

KA1 - Mobility projects in the field of education and training
KA2 - Strategic partnerships in the field of education and training Support for Policy Reforms
KA3 – Support for policy reform

ELSA focuses on the third key action, seeking Civil Society Cooperation in the field of Youth.

Erasmus+ and ELSA

European Youth Foundation (EYF)

The EYF is a fund established by the Council of Europe, aiming to provide financial and educational support for European youth activities;
The three pillars of the Council of Europe are Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law;
The EYF only supports non-formal education projects;
It has a €3,500,000 budget and €2,500,000 are distributed to NGOs every year;
There are two application periods per year: one until April 1 and another until October 1.

Priorities of the European Youth Sector

New priorities are adopted every two years;
Currently, these are access to rights; youth participation and youth work; and inclusive and peaceful societies.

Types of funded activities

Pilot Activity

International Activity

International or European meetings promoting participation and intercultural learning;
National and international youth NGOs may apply, receiving up to €20.000.

Annual Work Plan

Structural Grant

One off-structural grant

Administrative costs for regional networks establishing a European co-ordination body;
NGOs may receive up to €10.000.

2 consecutive years structural grant

Administrative costs for international NGOs/networks with a European co-ordination structure;
The NGO may receive up to €50.000 in total or up to €25.000 per year.

EYF and ELSA

Only ELSA International is seen as an international youth NGO;
Thus, ELSA International can apply for grants for international activities, annual work plans and structural grant;
It receives €20.000 per year;
A National Group, depending on ELSA's International approval, may apply for an international activity with partners and for a pilot activity;
A Local Group, depending on approval, would only be eligible to apply for a pilot activity.

UNECA

It is a grant awarded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa;
ELSA and UNECA have a Programme Cooperation Agreement, due to the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition;
The estimated budget consists of 50.000 USD.

City of Strasbourg

Google Ad Grant

This grant aims to raise awareness for non-profits and to attract donors;
A qualifying non-profit may have access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads, shown on Google.com.