Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05

0:00

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the second online event regarding the international development and cooperation of the continent Baselstadt. We would please ask everyone to mute themselves. Due to technical reasons, we couldn't all mute you, so you would have to do this yourself, please.

0:27

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Later, obviously, during the Q&A session, you can then unmute yourself to ask questions. So this is the second online event. The last one was in October 2024.

0:41

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I assume that many of you already joined the last one since October 2024. A lot has changed, though. We have a new law now that I will briefly introduce to you later. So this is a good moment to inform you about all the changes and most importantly, give you the opportunity to ask questions. Before we start, though, I would like to quickly introduce the team. So myself.

1:09

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

heading the new team, actually, of International Development and Corporation. Then we have Lucy Köchlin, who many of you probably saw the last time. She's the president of the Expert Commission for Development Corporation. We have Julia Gensch, the office manager. I'm pretty sure that many of you have already come across her either by email or telephone. We also have two new faces.

1:38

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Our team is growing. We have Leandra Misteli, who joined us this week, and I would quickly like to give her the word to introduce herself. The floor is yours, Leandra. Thank you very much, Tandi. And good morning, everyone. It's actually a pleasure to be here. And as Tandi mentioned, moving forward, I will be one of your main point of contacts for establishing new partnerships.

2:07

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

project and program support. So I'm really looking forward to work with all of you. I have more than 10 years of experience working in the sector as project officer and program manager just recently with UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein. So I'm just really looking forward to collaborate with all of you and hopefully we will be able to establish impactful partnerships. So back to you, Tandi. And yeah, thank you everyone.

2:35

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Great. Thanks, Leandra. We also have Manuel Gauci here. He has not started yet. He is going to start his new position also as scientific collaborator in March. But he was so kind to join us today and he would also like to address a few words. The floor is yours, Manuel. Good morning, everyone. I hope you can hear me.

3:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thanks very much for having me. It's also a pleasure to be here. As Tanti said, I will only start by mid of March. And yeah, very much looking forward. Yeah, myself, I have several years of experience in international corporations with various NGOs with a focus on strategic program management.

3:27

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

project development implementation and also organizational development in the past with a strong focus on sub-saharan africa yeah i think i leave it with that for the moment and yeah looking forward collaborating with you all thank you very much great thanks manuel let's go into the presentation i hope you can all see the slides i would like to start with the

3:59

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

objectives of today. And I just have to switch to the mode. Yes, objectives. So today, as I said, I would like to inform you about the new legal framework or the main elements of the new legal framework, mainly its funding purpose and the funding tools. You will have, hopefully, a better understanding of the assessment criteria and the process.

4:27

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

You will know more about the eligibility for both project and program grants, as well as the procedures. And finally, most importantly, you will be able to clarify your questions. We will have ample time at the end for a Q&A session.

4:45

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Now, looking at the new legal framework, as I said, we have a new act on international cooperation for poverty reduction and sustainable development. This new act was adopted last May.

5:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

by our parliament and it is enforced since this year. And we are in the process of, while already doing the call for proposals, we are also in parallel preparing the strategic basis for this new law.

5:19

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So the most important element of this new law is the funding aspect, which is a big change for us as well. This new law is the legal basis, the first time that we actually have an explicit legal basis for international cooperation. And this law also defines...

5:37

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

a standard funding level so in let's say stable financial times the spendings or the funding is oriented towards 0.7 percent of the cantonal tax revenue in constrained times so when the canton has a deficit for example

5:56

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the funding will be at a minimum of 0.3% of the tax revenue. So a pretty predictable funding scheme. What does this mean? 0.7% at the moment. The current financial framework is 19.5 million a year. However, in the first four years since we started last year, we had around 4.4 million Swiss francs for funding. And to be able to...

6:24

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

also develop the team, develop the operational basics, we will continue with a stepwise or a phased increase of the funds. So we will only reach the 0.7% of tax revenues by the year 2029.

6:42

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The funding purpose is also defined in the law. It is poverty reduction as well as sustainable development at global level. And I say this, I put an emphasis on the as well as, because the poverty reduction is very important as well as the sustainable development. So we will not do either of them at the cost of the other. Now, how do we define the funding purpose of poverty reduction?

7:06

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So we see poverty as a multidimensional challenge, which can be tackled not only by strengthening economic capacities, but also human, political, sociocultural and self-protection capacities. Sustainable development is the alignment with the SDG or the...

7:25

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

successors of the SDGs. And very importantly also for us in terms of sustainable development is that the projects foster participation, local ownership and strengthening of local structures.

7:43

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

In terms of the thematic scope and the geographical scope, the thematic scope has widened quite a bit since the last funding scheme. So we do not only fund development corporations, projects, but also peace building and in specific cases humanitarian aid. However, we do not finance purely humanitarian aid only if it's in combination with

8:10

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

long-term development or peace-building measures, as in the HDP, Human Development Peace Nexus approach. Lucy Pechlin will say a few words about that later also. In terms of geographical scope, we fund projects in countries that are on the current OECD duck list of ODA recipients. This is a quick overview of the funding tools that are also defined in the new Act.

8:41

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So program grants, project grants, corporations and engagement, scholarships and emergency aid. We will, however, only focus today on the general project grants to Swiss-based organizations and the program grants to Basel-based organizations. As you can see in this overview, for these two funding tools, there are no...

9:02

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

thematic funding priorities. So we are open to topics from agriculture over education to health etc. Now I would like to hand over to Lucy Koechlin who will guide you through the assessment process and the assessment criteria.

9:26

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thank you very much Tandi and welcome from my side as well. Yes I would just briefly like to talk you through the whole assessment process just so you have a better understanding on which basis the Commission and also ultimately the Canton assesses your proposals. So maybe Tandi you can go to the next slide.

9:56

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So, what is...

10:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

important for you is that there's a formal assessment by Tandi Elman's team so the formal criteria you will see on the website that is so they do a check on all the formal requirements and only then in a second step does it come to the commission for development cooperation

10:26

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Maybe importantly for you is to know that the Commission for Development Cooperation is an expert commission. So the people in the commission are all appointed based on their expertise and experience in international development cooperation or a particular thematic expertise, which is necessary to evaluate the proposals. And we ensure that there is a...

10:55

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

broad-based expertise so we can assess the relevant proposals from your side.

11:05

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So this could be in public health, education, vocational training or other areas. And this is important for you to know because then you will know a little bit what kind of what we are looking out for. So the proposals are assessed by the full commission. We do work in working groups.

11:31

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Two people together who have a certain thematic expertise will assess the relevant proposals and they will then bring it into the full commission when we meet and introduce the proposal and their proposition, their evaluation.

11:54

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the all proposals are discussed by the full commission it is expected that all the members of the commission read all the proposals with the working groups obviously preparing a more detailed evaluation and we then take a vote

12:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

or make usually it is a consensual decision on what recommendations so the recommendations are basically yay or nay do we fund this based on the criteria the quality criteria that we have elaborated and i will be talking you through those in a minute

12:32

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And then if we decide not to fund the proposal, then obviously there is a substantial argument why that is. And if we do fund it, then we also make a decision on the height of the contribution.

12:56

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And the recommendations then go to the presidential department and the government. So we only make recommendations. We do not have the authority to actually speak to make a final decision on the funding. That lies with the canton for obvious reasons.

13:15

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So just for your information, in the last few years, we've had an increasing amount of proposals coming in. The commission up to now has worked on an honorary basis and we've had on average around 100 proposals per year and more actually in the last year. Of course, this will change quite radically now that there is more funding available and also that we have.

13:44

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

more clearly defined funding or should i say more funding containers available up to now we've actually approved about half of the proposals that have come in and one thing that i

14:06

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

often receive questions on or there are a lot of kind of queries about is about the evaluation so you can see that up to now the funding has been fixed that will remain so in future even if there is more funding available so the budget is fixed

14:25

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And the type of proposals that we get on are very diverse. So we have very small community based organisations that apply for funding. We have very large.

14:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

non-profit organizations that have various international subsidiaries so the level of professionality the type of project that they are seeking funding for is highly diverse so it is really important for you to know that although

15:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

we have criteria which define the quality and the different dimensions that we evaluate the proposals along. This evaluation is relative and it's relative to the given proposals in that year or that period of funding.

15:22

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And it is also important to know that the canton, of course, cannot guarantee any funding, but it is based on the evaluation in that given period. So I think we can go on and discuss the assessment criteria together. So you will find these on the website as well.

15:49

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Our objective here is, of course, the overarching purpose Tandi has already introduced you to that, which is poverty reduction and sustainability, where our frame of reference are the sustainable development goals. So we are looking at a holistic multidimensional approach to poverty reduction and development.

16:15

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So we look at the relevance of proposals, which needs to be explicit. We are also very keen to see that proposals are demand driven, that we want to see what exactly is it. Are these anchored in a local context or is this something which an organization thinks it's?

16:42

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Nice to do, exciting for them to add value to their own organisational purposes, but where there is very little connect to the local context. So that the demand driven aspect is a lateral aspect which we look at.

17:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

With the impact orientation too, we would like to see a need analysis and also a coherent impact logic. And the operational word here is coherent. So it's really not enough just to tell us what you want that impact to be or to have.

17:23

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

a nice theory of change we would like to see that reflected in the whole proposal so right from the description of the project activities to the budget that needs to go hand in glove for us to understand better how you seek to achieve that impact in the duration of the implementation of your project efficiency is of course

17:51

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

cost-benefit analysis, but there too, we do look at the financial aspect that's very important to us. But beyond purely financial or monetary aspects, we also look at the quality that you seek to attain. So we also take into consideration sustainability, local context, and aspects which may go

18:20

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

beyond purely monetary or financial aspects. So we understand, we incorporate that into our assessment of the efficiency of your proposals. Sustainability.

18:35

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We are very keen to understand better how your project has a duration beyond just the three or four or five years of a normal project cycle.

18:56

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the financial aspect is very important also local ownership is something which we look out for and we also would like to see a robust risk analysis and please note here that you are

19:18

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

addressing your proposals to a commission of experts so everybody has experience in the field so you can assume that we understand the risks in the field and these are precarious very often very difficult environments in which you are operating

19:39

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

frequently these are complex environments so we would like to have a kind of honest and transparent risk assessment because you will not be able to kind of cancel out the risk but we want to understand we want to see that you understand the risk in the context that you are operating

20:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

and that you have risk mitigation strategies in place. And last but not least, transparency is very important to us on a financial scale, but also how you evaluate, how you understand your project cycle.

20:21

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

um how you seek to learn from your own um from the experiences and the lessons learned in a in a project the learning cycle is important to us and of course accountability mechanisms i think we can go on to the next slide so tandy very briefly

20:46

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

mentioned that there are some proposals or initiatives which do not meet the criteria. So sponsorships and scholarships. So, of course, the canton supports scholarships and sponsorships. It's not that the canton thinks that it's irrelevant, but there are other funding mechanisms of the canton through which you can fund scholarships.

21:15

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We are not the right address for purely fundraising proposals. Someone has to turn off their microphone.

21:28

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Can you please mute your microphone? Thank you. OK, so you understand that we do need a substantial proposal and we are not the right address for just purely generic fundraising proposals. We do frequently get proposals which would like to have ongoing expenditures financed. And that is something

21:58

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Whilst we understand that this is a very important part of your operations, but we do, the proposals that you submit to us have to have a project character. It needs to have a beginning and an end. And so you need to take that into consideration when you submit a proposal to us.

22:21

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And as Tandi mentioned, purely humanitarian aid we cannot fund. You need to demonstrate that it has a more sustainable dimension which addresses the root causes and has a development-oriented and peace-building aspect which goes beyond just an immediate humanitarian intervention.

22:48

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So I think that is it from my side. I'm happy to respond to any questions at the end in the Q&A session. Thank you very much, Lucy. I will take over again. So while the assessment criteria that Lucy just presented are applicable to both project and program grants, I will now go into the, let's say, the requirements.

23:16

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

that are different for project and program grants eligibility. So we're kind of going back a step. The assessment of the criteria happens in the commission. And before proposals are actually forwarded to the commission, we do the, as you mentioned, the preliminary formal check, where we look at the, amongst others, the eligibility of the...

23:39

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the organizations that are submitting the proposal. So project grants eligibility is not for profit organization active in international cooperation. And as international cooperation, we already provided you with a definition of what we understand as poverty reduction and the strengthening of sustainable development. It has to be a legal entity based in Switzerland.

24:05

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And for this year we have set a submission limit of maximum one project proposal in 2026. And this will very likely change next year since we will have more funding available and we will inform you in due time what the submission limit will be next year.

24:27

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Program grants or organizations that are eligible for program grants are not-for-profit organizations active in international cooperation. And here the legal entity has to be headquartered in the Basel region. The organization also has to be CEBO certified or have average annual revenues of at least 5 million Swiss francs.

24:54

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Now go into the presentation of the procedure for.

25:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

grants so first we will look at project grants and then have a Q&A on project grants and after that we will have a separate session just on program grants so those of you that are not eligible for program grants can then leave after the the first session focused on project grants

25:21

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So the funding procedure for project grants looks as follows. We have the submission deadlines. This year it's April 1st and September 1st. Please note that we only accept proposals via the online form. Please do not send us proposals by email. Once we've received your proposal via the online form, we do this preliminary assessment, the review of the minimum requirements of which the eligibility.

25:50

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We also check if the proposal is in general aligned with the funding purpose. This is not an in-depth assessment yet or a relative assessment, but just a general assessment if you qualify at all or if your project contributes to the funding purpose. Also the funding period, and this is a very new aspect, a big change from the last...

26:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

decades actually we now accept also proposals that span over a maximum of four calendar years so not just one year but multi-year project proposals are now possible and also from our point of view very welcome because as you can imagine it also reduces administrative burden on our side to just get one proposal in four years and not four

26:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Obviously, there are reporting requirements, which I will mention in a moment. Then also a minimum requirement is the submission on time complete and in the correct form.

26:53

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

If after this preliminary assessment we deem that one of the requirements is not met, you will get a notification from us that there is information missing or something is wrong with the proposal, and then you will have five working days to actually resubmit your proposal.

27:14

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The proposals that have passed this first step, let's say, are forwarded to the Commission. And Lucy just explained in much detail how the Commission evaluates and based on which criteria. So I'm not going to detail this part out anymore. Just maybe to emphasize or also to please to ask you.

27:37

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

um all of this information so what are the minimum requirements what are the assessment criteria what is the exact procedure this is all online you can find it online and specifically in the gut the download so the guidelines for the project grants entail also the criteria as well as the information and documents that we need from you uh from the in the proposal

28:05

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So once the commission has evaluated the proposal, they will forward a recommendation to us. And the funding decision, depending on the height of the grant, the funding decision is taken by the government council or by us, the presidential department.

28:31

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

You will in any case be informed in writing about the funding decision and also receive the contract if your proposal was granted funding.

28:43

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

This whole process from the submission deadline, April 1st or September 1st, until you get the notification takes about two to three months. This depends very much on how big the grant is. So smaller grants, as I said, can be decided by the department, which takes much less time and higher amounts are decided by the government, which takes a little longer.

29:14

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Once the contracts have been signed, the first installment is usually done one to two weeks after signing of the contract. And if it is a multi-year project, then the subsequent installments are done two to three weeks after review of the interim or final reports.

29:34

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Coming to reporting, if, again, you have a multi-year grant, we ask for an annual interim report and a final report three months after the end of the funding period. The exact deadlines and requirements for reporting will be shared with you as soon as possible. Now, this is important.

30:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

have questions regarding the funding procedure or criteria, you can always reach out to us by phone or email. These are also on the website. However, and this is important for me to note, due to resource constraints, as Lucy said, we had around 100, last year we had around 150 proposals from 150 organizations.

30:24

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So due to resource constraints, but also to ensure equal treatment of all organizations, we cannot unfortunately provide individual coaching before the submission deadline or after a negative funding decision.

30:38

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

This is something that it's not because we're not interested in your organization or the project. It's something that we would obviously like to do. But given the amount of organizations and also to ensure equal treatment, we've decided that that's actually common practice for a few years now that we cannot do individual coaching. This is also why we do these information events where everyone gets access to the information.

31:07

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

information. We do understand your need for feedback very much. In case of negative funding decisions, it's very important for you to understand why the proposal was not accepted and you want to know what you can improve. So we strive to provide detailed justification.

31:28

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

justifications in this in this case and we will now that we have more team power more people that have joined us we will be able to also give you more detailed feedback on the funding decision okay now we have reached already the q a session um there are we would like you to um if you have a question

32:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

There's two possibilities. You can either use the FNA function. There's a specific little section in the MS Teams where you can write your question, or you can also raise your hand and ask your questions once we give you the word. Please do not use the chat because we will only be looking at the, in terms of written questions, we only look at the specific FNA section. Also, if you...

32:27

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

are in this F&A section and you see a question that you also wanted to ask, there's a little button, like a little arrow button that you can click on and it'll tell us, okay, this question is actually very important to many of you. And we will try to answer the questions according to this prioritization.

32:48

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

If you feel that you've written a question in the box and we haven't answered it even after half an hour, just raise your hand and make us aware of that. All right, I can already see a few questions up. Okay, let's start with Andrea Diaz. Hi, hello. Do you hear me well? Yes. Yes, thank you. Thanks a lot for the presentations. Always really useful.

33:21

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Three questions. One, which is very dear to me, I work at Fasnakzone, so outside of Basel in Luzern. How do you define projects and programs? Because it's different for different organizations, so I want to know how you define it. Is it program?

33:44

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Like that gives a program support for NGOs very largely defined or is the program more specific like many different projects within a country or within a theme? That's one question. The second question is what you have two deadlines, first of April and first of September.

34:15

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

How do you organize? I would like to submit 1st of September to be able to prepare.

34:24

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

as much as possible within your criteria and quality requirements. If there are too many projects or too many programs to be assessed on this date or the other one, how do you guarantee that all of them fit in? And the third and last one is with now the increase of budget available.

34:49

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

For projects specifically, how much would you suggest should be the finance gap within a project?

35:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

per year. Can I just back up a question? What do you mean by finance gap? Finance gap meaning how much what would be the maximum that we could require or that you suggest that we ask for

35:21

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

per year it could be like until now maybe 50, 60,000 which was more or less the amount per year per project that you supported most projects but from now on especially for

35:42

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Does this 60,000 per year increase? Can it go to 100,000? Just to give an idea of how much we should be planning to have a finance gap for the projects we submit on.

35:59

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

All right. Thank you very much. So regarding the first question, good question, actually, project versus program. So for us, projects are very specific initiatives with a very specific goal on the outcome level, usually in one sector and country.

36:20

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Sometimes it can also be two projects in different countries, but with the same outcome and including, for example, knowledge exchange. But it's a very specific project. And also we ask for a lot more detail in the proposal regarding the planning of activities. But also in the log frame, we ask for more details on the outcome output level and especially also in the budget. Programs are overarching initiatives.

36:49

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Usually that overarching initiatives that are in line with the strategy of an organization. And usually it's the whole activity of that organization. So it's all the programs and organization implements. And it's usually also cross-country and cross-sector initiatives.

37:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And also here the description in the proposal and the budget are a lot more at a higher level, less detailed. Second question, which date?

37:27

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So in general, we try to ensure that the proposals that come in in autumn are not disadvantaged because there's less money available. So we do keep that. We do have that on our radar. In general, more proposals come in in the first date. But as I said, this should not influence the funding decision.

37:55

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

finance gap so this question also comes up a lot we have considered giving a maximum minimum and maximum amount of the grant but we decided not to because

38:07

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The grant actually depends on a variety of factors. And some of them we can only assess once all the proposals have come in. And the first is obviously the availability of funding. So if we have a lot of proposals that come in with very high amounts or low amounts, that is obviously one aspect. Very important is the co-financing. We generally ask for at least 50% of co-financing.

38:36

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And last but not least is also the evaluation of the proposal. We might see a proposal where this is particularly relevant also to program grants, where we find one aspect of the proposal.

38:55

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

is very much in line with the funding purpose and takes all the evaluation criteria, but some other aspects of the proposal might not. So we might decide to only fund that one part of the proposal that we deem very much in line with our criteria. And in general, you're right, in the last few years, the amount rarely exceeded 50,000 Swiss francs.

39:21

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I can imagine that since we have more funds available, that we are able to also speak higher grants. However, consider that this year especially, we're taking this phased increase of the funds, so we are not at the 20 million yet. Yeah, thank you. Let me go into the written questions.

39:48

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I have a question on the eligibility for project grants. Not-for-profit organizations are eligible as per the minimum requirements on the website. Are projects implemented together with a private sector?

40:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

sector partner possible as long as the main applicant is an NPO and then also I probably missed it but what's the minimum maximum grant volume will the slides be shared okay first part eligibility yes however you must make it very clear and transparent that none of the grant is going to the private sector partner

40:22

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And here also I think it's important to distinguish because we do also get proposals from consultancies, for example, that there is no legal definition for not-for-profit.

40:36

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So you have to actually prove with the documents that you hand in that you are not for profit. And a consultancy could actually also be not for profit or at the same time, an association can be a for profit. So private sector as such is not something that excludes you as an organization. It is proving and showing transparently that you are not for profit.

41:03

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I hope that answers the question. We already talked about the minimum maximum grant volume. There is no minimum grant volume, actually. This is something that we also considered, but we have for the last 40 years also been open to proposals from very small organizations, and we want to continue doing that. Maybe while I mention that, Lucy talked about the evaluation criteria, saying that we do get...

41:30

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

proposals from a very diverse range of organizations and some very professional and some smaller ones. And we do also have, let's say, much lower expectations to the small organizations when it comes to methods, for example. We don't necessarily ask for a log frame when it's a very small project.

41:53

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Obviously, in terms of content, we do have to see the impact orientation, the efficiency, etc. But we ask for less professional methodology, if you know what I mean. Okay, will the slides be shared? We will share the recording of the event afterwards. Okay, let me go back to a hand that's up, Franka Ebei.

42:17

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Hi everybody, I'm Franke Bay, I'm representing here with Fakushule Nord versus Schweiz. So I have three questions. Oh no, four questions. The first one is a follow-up from what you said. You said you generally expect co-funding of about 50%.

42:36

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Did I get that correctly? And is this 50% from the main organization in Switzerland, like from our university, for example, or from all partners involved in the project? And can this 50% of co-funding be assigned to maybe our working time? So that's one question. The second question is how many partners are generally expected per project?

43:07

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And the third one is what percentage of the budget can be expected to remain in Switzerland, probably to cover overhead costs or maybe research assistance, to cover the time invested by research assistants in the project.

43:24

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And we applied last year, and one of the assessment criteria referred to appropriate overhead costs. So I guess what percentage of the grants may be allocated to overhead costs. That's it. All right. Thanks, Franca. Okay, well, let me answer maybe the first question and the last two I would like to hand over to Lucy. I'm already preparing her to...

43:51

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So in terms of co-funding, it's 50%, then 50% of the whole project budget.

43:59

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

If that project involves other partners, it includes also their co-funding. So it's third-party co-funding. It's your own funding, including your own contribution in terms of in-kind. So if you have volunteers or you just invest a lot of time and resources, please do monetize that and put it in the proposal.

44:24

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And for the other two questions, so how many partners should usually be involved and how much of the budget can actually stay in Switzerland or overhead? I will hand over to Lucy.

44:35

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, thank you very much. So we have no definitive proportion of partners or number of partners. That depends very much on the organization and it depends very much on the project itself as well. What we do expect, however, is like we elaborated.

45:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

that you demonstrate the local ownership that you demonstrate how the project is kind of anchored in a local context so that is very important and that the partners that you do choose with

45:16

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

are kind of are rooted or have a strong connection or ties uh to to the place or to the to the beneficiaries um and and the people your stakeholders that you are working with so i hope that answers answers the question

45:35

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

As to the proportion of budget which can stay in Switzerland, that's a slightly thorny issue. Because if you are applying for project funding, actually, we do really not fund research projects.

45:58

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

In this particular funding vehicle, it is possible that with increasing funds that we will open up other funding vehicles where that might be possible. But if you are applying for a project proposal, then the majority of the budget needs to...

46:28

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

demonstratably accrue in the place where the project is taking place, in the local context, so in the south in this case, and not stay in Basel or in Bern or Zurich. So that is important for you to know that we don't fund research projects, even if they're in collaboration maybe with research or academic institutions in the south.

46:56

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

okay um thank you so much i guess i am i mean if i can just let me clarify my question it's more because for our project we have research assistants and research associates giving their time so we allocated some of the budget to cover the time they invest in the project whether it's going to travel or being on the ground going to for example to nigeria to cameron that's why

47:20

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We talked about having a portion of the budget assigned for overhead. So in-kind contributions are accepted. So we recognize in-kind contributions. It doesn't have to be kind of a monetary contribution. So we do see that. But still, if a significant proportion of your budget will stay in Switzerland, then...

47:47

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

How shall I say that that will that is we don't what you call it. That's not what we're looking for. We're looking for a significant proportion of your budget actually having an impact and staying in the global south. Thank you so much. All right. Let us go back to a question from the.

48:15

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

chat box or not the chat actually. I don't know if you saw Julia's comment. Please write your questions not in the chat but in the F&A box. When is a project a project? Does this only refer to new projects? I'm referring to the statement not supporting ongoing operating expenditure. Very good question also if only one.

48:39

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So we usually, and I would like Lucy also to add if I missed something, but usually we consider a project an initiative that either builds new structures or that improves structures. Just supporting the expenses that a structure causes is not the funding focus. Lucy, do you have anything to add?

49:07

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, I can maybe jump in there. So we do get proposals, for instance, to support, for instance, operating expenditures of hospitals. Now, whereas the purpose of that hospital is, you know, recognisable, important and contributes to public health or more specific health issues of vulnerable populations, that is not what we're looking for.

49:32

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And we also understand many of the organizations have ongoing collaborations with partner organizations. But what we are looking for is something which adds a new dimension, which has a beginning and an end. And if possible, also a specific purpose, which you can then also measure whether these objectives have been achieved in that.

50:00

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

time period so you know there is no absolutely hard and fast definition of what a project is or what we're looking for but I think you will understand of course we understand and we support long-term ongoing collaborations and we understand that they have financial requirements and overheads which which need financing but our mandate is to

50:30

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

support projects that have kind of a beginning and an end and have clearly spelled out objectives, which then can also be evaluated and where there is hopefully also a learning process for all organizations involved. So we are also very keen to understand better what that means for your organization, what that means for your partner organizations.

50:59

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So the learnings and the learning cycles that come out of your project, you know, we don't mind organizations that fail in a project, but we do mind if you don't learn from those failings or from the kind of if projects take a slightly different turn. We are very keen to see what you make out of that. So I hope that.

51:31

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

answered some of the questions at least. Thanks, Lucy. Let's go to Joanne. You raised your hand. Yes, hello, everybody. Thank you very much for the presentation. I have a question concerning this, that now it's possible to apply for several years. So let's say we get funding for a project for 26, 7 and 8. Would we still...

52:03

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

eligible to apply next year for a new project in case you have still um so we would send you the midterm report end of march and then hand in a new application would that be possible

52:19

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, as I said, this restriction to one proposal per organization per year is applicable to this year. Next year will be more flexible and we will probably open up the call for proposals for second, let's say not second proposals, not two proposals, but if you have a project that is being financed.

52:45

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

during that year, you will be able to hand in another proposal. The exact amount of proposals that you will be able to hand in next year will be communicated. But my question is, would the application that I hand in this year count also as, does it count for 2026 or for all the years?

53:11

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So, yes, I get your question. Sorry, it's a bit complicated. So we will define, as of next year, we will define how many projects you can get funding for, if you know what I mean. So if you already have one project that is being funded and it's in the second year, for example, we will exactly define if you can get, you will be able to hand in one other proposal. If it's two, we have to decide still.

53:41

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, perfect. I don't know if I made myself clear. It's clear now. Thank you. Okay. All right. So maybe while we hear... Let's put their hand down. Let's go back to the chat box then. So what is the maximum percentage of the budget to cover? And do you have a maximum percentage of overhead costs?

54:15

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So I assume that you mean by the maximum percentage of the budget to cover is how much we fund. So I think we clarified that before. We asked for a minimum. Usually we ask for a minimum of 50 percent co-funding from your side. And that co-funding can include third party funding, but also your own contributions as well as in kind. Do you have a maximum percentage of overhead costs?

54:44

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We do usually orientate ourselves around 15%, but now the definition of overhead costs is obviously then important as well. If you look at the guidelines that are on the website, we ask you to...

55:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

to structure your budget according to the categories by the table methodology. And we're hoping to get some clarification as to what we understand as overhead costs.

55:18

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And in there, it's the fundraising costs. In German, it's called the Mittelbeschaffungsaufwand, because the CEBO method, I think, is only available in German, the fact sheet. So Mittelbeschaffungsaufwand and Administrative Aufwand. And here we work around 15% approximately. Okay, let's go to Cynthia. You had a question.

55:55

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Cynthia doesn't seem to be there, so let's go to Simon Reuter. Okay, yes, thank you. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I also wanted to clarify a bit more because I'm still not 100% sure if I understood correctly regarding the multi-year grants. So if we request support for a project which goes two or three years, for example, do we ask for specifically for like an annual amount?

56:31

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Or I asked my question differently. In the past, we could get maybe 30,000, 40,000 for a one year project.

56:40

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Now, if I ask for a two or three year project, so do we ask like two or three times more of that amount? Or then if we get once this amount, does it go for the three years? I mean, just to be very clear on that. Yeah, a very valid question. It is actually, I hope it is clear when you look at the guidelines and also the online form, we ask for specific numbers on the one side.

57:07

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

for the whole project period, so all three years, let's say. But we also ask for the amount you want for each year. And the decision, the funding decision, is then given for the whole three years. But the installments, so the transfer of the funds, is done every year. All right. Okay, thank you. Going back to the chat. Okay. Is a second cantonal funding possible, for example, through Swiss laws and your project grants? Yes.

57:42

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The Swiss Laws Fund, so in terms of international cooperation, the Swiss Laws Fund supports project humanitarian emergency aid in case of natural disasters. And you can get funding through them and in parallel get a project run from us that is possible.

58:04

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Maybe just another question from here. What is the percentage of administration fees within a project you're able to cover? I think we covered this question. Let's go back to Juryan. You have a question.

58:19

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

yeah actually thank you for this there are so many questions in the Q&A that I wonder if you would follow up on all those but my question one is answered already it was about a double financing between swiss laws and your project grants that is answered my other question still stands that is how do you see your role compared to the STC stepping out of support of global south cultural

58:50

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

projects is there a chance that these grants you are talking about now could be also supported when they come from the cultural background when they come from a what background i didn't understand the last part of history if it comes from culture because stc stepped out of the support there was a huge outcry from different partners organizations and as we are also not anymore

59:22

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

getting support from SDC, I was wondering if this cantonal fund could replace that, or at least partially. Okay, so in general, and this is more of a political answer, the canton does not fill any financing gaps at the national level.

59:43

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Obviously, when you look at the reality, we are probably filling some gaps somewhere, but it's not our job. And also, we cannot fully fill these financing gaps. When it comes to culture, I'm not sure if you've already had a look at the website.

1:00:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

but one of our funding focuses

1:00:03

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

for the next four years will be culture as a lever for poverty reduction. This strategic focus is specifically for, we call them targeted project funds, which will start as of next year. So as of next year, we will do call for proposals for either one or two of these thematic priorities. So culture as a lever for poverty reduction being one of them. The other two are health.

1:00:31

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

and climate resilience so in that in the frame of that call obviously you can apply with a project that is centered around cultural initiatives and here for me it's important to mention that we do not promote culture

1:00:50

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So the project proposal actually has to make a meaningful and clear contribution to poverty reduction with the means of cultural initiatives. We do see the potential of cultural initiatives as being very innovative or that can be used in contexts that are politically difficult, where structures are very...

1:01:14

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

are non-existent or it's difficult for people to speak their mind so we do see that potential and that's also why we chose the strategic focus for one of our funding tools all right next question we have received funding for one of our projects in 2025 we will will we still be able to apply for fund funding in 2026 for a different project for instance yes you will

1:01:48

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I mean, the funding that we did last year was a one-year focus. Even if your project that got approved last year runs into 2026, we do not see this as a, how to say, so the answer is yes, you can. All right. Rahel.

1:02:16

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, thank you very much. Thanks for all the information. I'm sorry, I have to go back to these multi-year projects. I'm still not quite clear about the budget. So you're saying in 26, we can apply for 50,000. Now, if I hand in a three-year budget, can I apply for 150,000? Is it 50,000 a year or is it 50,000 divided by three years?

1:02:43

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, maybe let me go show you the website or the online forum. And I hope that I can clarify your questions by showing you our website and online forum. Can you see the website? Yes. Okay, so I'm on the website now. And I'm going to enter the online forum.

1:03:26

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Unfortunately, the form is only in German. We will professionalize also digitally this year. We will change to a new software that will hopefully make the whole application process easier for you and us. So if you see the form, we actually ask for the overall project budget for the whole project. So including those three years that you mentioned.

1:03:55

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the whole amount you want from us for those three years. So you are actually applying for that whole amount. So in your case, example, I think it was 150,000. We want to know when does the project start? So the whole project, not just the phase and the end of the project in, let's say, three years. But then we also need to know the project phases. So the years, what is the budget for the first year?

1:04:24

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And what is the amount you need from us in that first year? And the second phase, third phase, fourth phase. The maximum you can apply for is four years. I hope that this is more clear now. Looking at the faces, do you see nodding, Julia? Good. All right, let's go back to the questions.

1:04:51

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Good morning. What are the preferred languages for proposal submission? Also, is co-funding required for co-founding?

1:05:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

you meant co-funding required or encouraged so yes definitely co-funding we ask for at least 50 percent in general what language do you prefer it is possible to submit in german french and english i think this is a very personal question for me personally i prefer english or german my french is okay but not that great but we also have a lot of people in the commission that speak very good french

1:05:30

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

No one raising the hand, so let's go back to the written questions. How do you allocate your budget across the years in terms of volume and other criteria as well? Does it make a difference for an organization in terms of success chances to apply by April or September?

1:05:47

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So we allocate the budget across the year. So it has to be calendar years. I know that some projects run from June to June and then again from June to June. But for our administration, that would be very difficult to administer. So we would please ask you to divide your project phases in calendar years. And then how much you ask for each year is really up to you because it depends on the funding situation, etc.

1:06:19

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

and for the the co-funding we look at the whole project not each phase um does it make a difference for an organization in terms of success chance to apply by april or september no it doesn't uh will projects that have already started but are not fully funded yet be considered for grants yes

1:06:42

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So it is possible to apply for funding for a project that has already started. The funding, however, has to start in the current or the next year. So if you apply for funding now in 2026, the funding can start in 2026 or 2027, not in 2025 or in 2028.

1:07:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

If maximum 50% of a proposed project budget is considered, does the NGO have to indicate in detail names and amounts of the other donor agents and foundations? Here we do ask for some transparency. So just writing third-party funding is not very transparent in our understanding. So we would like you to detail.

1:07:38

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

at least what type of funding partner you have in some cases it can also actually be beneficial because if we see that for example stc although it is not a single quality criteria as in okay if they're sdc finance then we will also finance them but it definitely helps to show that other established organizations are already supporting your project and next question okay there's kula foundation you have a question

1:08:14

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, thank you so much. My name is Niklin Port-Hitter from Kula Foundation, and we have projects in South Africa and Malawi. They are ongoing projects. They've been existing for several years. And my question is, for example, the Malawi project.

1:08:33

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The focus is on health care and community assistance and early childhood development. So could we then submit a proposal, for example, on early childhood development, where we would like to extend the program to cater for more children and assistance to more children, also taking the poverty reduction into account?

1:08:57

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

um you know over a period of three or four years would something like that be considerate um it's i mean in general early childhood development etc these are typically projects that we fund but i cannot say um yes we would fund that or not because i would have to see the proposal to be honest to give you a very concrete answer regarding that

1:09:22

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

But in general, these types of thematic focuses are within the scope of the funding purpose. Thank you. So it is possible to submit a proposal for something that has started, but we would like to expand that. Yes, I get your question now. Yes, it is.

1:09:46

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thank you. And may I also ask regarding the log frame, is that required for all project proposals or is there, you know, for example...

1:10:00

S… Speaker 4 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

if the budget is below say 50 000 swiss francs for example like that you need to do a log frame um irrelevant of how much the budget

1:10:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

would be for? Or do you require a lot of press for all projects, big or small? No, we don't. As I mentioned earlier, for a small organization or smaller projects, we ask much less in terms of methodology. So our threshold, let's say, is 100,000. So if the project budget, not our grant, but the overall project budget.

1:10:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

is below 100 000 swiss francs you do not need to provide the actual log frame but we do still need to know what your outcomes are you have to be able to describe the impact logic in the proposal but you don't need to provide the log frame right thank you so much that's very you're welcome thanks

1:11:01

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

A follow-up question regarding your private sector partners. Do you have exclusion criteria? For example, certain companies that couldn't be part of a support project, even if no funds go to the company. So we do do a due diligence assessment while we look at the proposals. And if we see red flags.

1:11:21

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

then we will contact you. But in general, we don't exclude certain companies. We also don't have a blacklist yet. Maybe we will start doing a blacklist. But we do look at not just the applying organizations, but also the partner organizations. Another question?

1:11:44

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, and so I have two questions. One is something you have said, but I might have missed it. I'm sorry. So about the percentage of the budget that can go for admin. You said you've already answered that, but I missed it. Could you please maybe highlight once more? And then the second question I have is can a partner, like a local partner, be involved in more than one project for the same grant?

1:12:10

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

simultaneously or at the same time or do you guys check that or is that forbidden you know i don't quite get the second question can we have a university in cameroon that is already partnering and with a swiss organization for this basal development grant and then another they want to against partner with another swiss organization for the same grant for not for the same um basal development grant is that allowed or not

1:12:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I think so. Did you understand the question, Lucy? I think that what is important is that the organization that is submitting the proposal can only submit one proposal. But the local organization, there's no such exclusion regarding the local organization. Okay.

1:13:01

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So there is definitely, it would still be eligible. So regarding the partner organizations, if they're involved in several projects with different Swiss partners, that is not an exclusion criteria, but it will be noted, let's put it that way. I mean, it's actually quite unusual, but...

1:13:21

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

it has all happened that organizations swiss-based organizations have submitted unrelated to each other have submitted for instance applications for health projects in the same region in a particular country and that is something we just take into account that not all funds go into the same region for similar purposes but it's certainly not an exclusion criteria and it is not necessarily something that you would know either right

1:13:51

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yeah, because sometimes some local organizations, they have different departments. So there is health, there's agriculture. So this department may be involved in another Swiss organization. And then another department within the same organization is collaborating with another Swiss organization. So that's why I'm asking. And then you would see the same local organization mentioned twice in two different project proposals that are totally unrelated to each other.

1:14:19

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yeah, that is not an exclusion criteria per se. Okay. And then could you please highlight about the mean cost that you mentioned? Can you maybe be more specific with your question? Someone asked in the chat what percentage of the budget can be allocated to administration costs. And I think you answered the question, but I missed it. Please, could you highlight again?

1:14:47

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yeah, maybe Lucy can add. So I mentioned earlier that we work with approximately 15%, but maybe Lucy can mention how you evaluate this overhead.

1:15:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

in the commission? So I think 15%, anything between 12% and 15% is an internationally kind of accepted standard for overhead. As you know, efficiency is a quality criteria that we have. And so we...

1:15:23

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We do check quite carefully how much of the budget goes into these overheads and administrative costs. I mean, look, it's not set in stone in any way because obviously it depends very much.

1:15:41

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

on the organization like i say we are very small we have very large organization and we do understand um that their budget structure is is very different as well um so i mean basically we would evaluate that under an efficiency perspective but also an impact in

1:16:03

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

you know, perspective. Are we funding a Swiss organisation or are we funding impact on the ground in the country in question?

1:16:13

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thank you so much. Maybe just to add to this, some organizations submit proposals where the overhead is more than 15%, but they also allocate a lot more own contributions to cover these. I mean, in this case, from my point of view, it's not necessary to put the overheads in the proposal if they're being covered by own funds anyways. But just so you understand the reality of it.

1:16:42

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thank you. If a three-year project has already started, is it possible to apply for funding for the remaining two years? Yes, it is. Our peacebuilding program has already started in 2025. Can we apply for January 2000 to July? Yes, you can. Please make sure, though, that if the project runs from January 26 to July 27, to ask for the two calendar years, 26 and 27.

1:17:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I guess the one for 27 will be lower because it's only half a year. Okay, Joanne, you had another question? Yes, thank you. I have a question to the thematic scope. So we have several projects in the field of prevention of violence against women. And I was wondering, do you see this as poverty reduction by itself or only when it's linked, for example, with economic empowerment?

1:17:41

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

No, not at all. As I said in the beginning, we have a very multidimensional understanding of poverty. So poverty does not only include economic capacities, but also, for example, self-protection capacities. So prevention of violence against women is absolutely within the funding scope. Thank you so much. Tobias Ebinger? Yes. Hi, everybody.

1:18:06

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I have also a question for a follow-up application. So I submitted last year and you gave us the grant and now I want to ask if I can make the follow-up application together with the interim report in the same document. Is this possible?

1:18:29

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

You can submit the... We actually have two different forms. I know this is a little complicated. And as I mentioned earlier, we are in the process of simplifying the processes. But please, you can submit them at the same time, yes. But we have two different forms for one the report and one the proposal. I hope that answers your question.

1:18:55

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, thank you. All right, great. Thank you for the presentation. Did I understand correctly that the overall funding envelope for 2026 is 8.8 million and that it will gradually increase to 19.5 million by 2029? Yes. Well, the total in this year is actually 10 million, but...

1:19:23

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

That includes our administrative costs. So 8.8 is what we can actually spend on funding. Also, does the programme submission exclude a project submission or are both possible within the same year? Yes.

1:19:40

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

You can do both. However, the organizations that are eligible for program funding, with most of them, I've already had bilateral conversations. We do ask the organizations that are applying for program funding this year to, if possible,

1:20:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

all of the projects that they would like to have funding for, because as I said, one of the requirements is that this program is actually part of an overall strategy of the organization. So ideally, it should include all of the projects that they're implementing. However, if in the following years, new projects pop up, new opportunities that are not in this program front yet, then you can apply for project funding if you already have.

1:20:29

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

program funding. Tensia, you had another question? Yes. Hello. Thank you so much for the really amazing information. I would like to ask a question regarding the Global South, if there are a constraint.

1:20:54

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

of countries in the Global South in accordance with the DESA eligibility criteria, or is it a broader scope? For example, countries like Argentina that are usually not in the scope of DESA can be eligible in the context of poverty and development.

1:21:20

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

That's one question. And the other question is if there are a possibility of doing or presenting a project that is with, again, for children with socio-economical disadvantaged backgrounds across several countries in the Global South with the emphasis in

1:21:41

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

intergenerational dialogues, as empowerment for solving their problems that arise in these ages or regions? Yes, that's the two questions.

1:21:57

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, so for the first question, we do not have priority regions like the SDC does. So in general, we fund worldwide, but the country has to be on the list of the OECD DAC, which is the list that basically contains all of the countries that are eligible for ODA funding. I'm not sure if Argentina is on that list. You would have to check. Okay, thank you.

1:22:23

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The second question, I guess the question was around whether it's possible to hand in a project that covers various countries. Is that correct? Yes. In general, yes. It's not an exclusion criteria per se, but it has to be clear that there is a common outcome, that it is a clear beginning and an end.

1:22:48

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

The level of detail really also is relevant. If the project is implemented in 10 countries and you can only describe at a very general level what the project is about, because you do have a maximum amount of 10 pages for the proposal, then I would not recommend that you put all the 10 countries in there, because we do need some level of detail to be able to evaluate the project. Thank you.

1:23:19

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, I understand the challenge of that, but it's, yes, to convey the importance of this intergenerational and intercultural exchange for a better world, yeah, within regions and across regions as well. Thank you. You're welcome.

1:23:52

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

In terms of co-funding projects, when additional funding besides Baselstadt is needed, do you require all co-funding before submission to Baselstadt?

1:24:03

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So we do differentiate, and I think this is also written in the guidelines, please indicate whether the co-funding has been approved or if it has only been submitted to another funding agency. And this will also be part of the evaluation. If we see that you have requested a lot of co-funding, but none of it is actually approved, then this will obviously add a lot of risk.

1:24:30

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

to the project and this will be considered in the material assessment by the commission. So the more approved funding you have, the better. Let's go to some people that haven't had the chance yet to ask a question. Katja. Yeah. Hello, everybody. I have seen in the intro that you have written SEVO certified or average annual income of at least five.

1:25:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

million is required. So I'm correct understanding that smaller organizations who are private-based that do not meet this requirement never have a chance to submit any application to you? No, this only applies for the program grants. So the program grants, you have to have a table certification or this minimum annual revenues. For the project grants, there is no such requirement.

1:25:30

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, thank you. Very good. Thank you. You're welcome. And then we have Foundation of Hope. Hello, my name is Angelica and thank you for the presentation. I want you to know, do we have access to the presentation? We are recording the event and we will share this recording with you.

1:25:57

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, thank you. The second question is also about the CEVO certificate. The organization is a foundation and it's a revision. Yes, it's under revision. Is it sufficient if we send the revision report for the last three years? You mean revision by CEVO or?

1:26:29

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Eingeschränkte Revision. You need a company who does a revision year by year.

1:26:44

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And it's an independent company for foundations. They are under revision and it's also, yes, it's a registered organization. And are those revisions sufficient? So you said your foundation and your annual revenues are above 10 million francs?

1:27:09

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

No, it's very smart. Then I think you're not required by law to do an external revision of your budget, so you are not required to hand it in. But if you have one, please do hand it in. From one year, from the last year?

1:27:25

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I think it's written in the guidelines, three years I believe. Yes, it doesn't explicitly say revisions, that's what it was. And then you grant 50%. Sometimes I understood 5.0 and sometimes I understood 1.5. So can you please repeat it?

1:27:53

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yeah, it stands a little confusing. So the 5050 refers to the co-financing that we require. And the 1515 refers to the overhead costs. Okay, okay. So this doesn't apply. Okay. Thank you very much. You're welcome. I'm looking at the time.

1:28:20

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

According to our plan, we would switch to the program grounds now, which probably many of you are not, it's not relevant for you. But since I've already been in contact with many of the organizations in Basel, maybe I could get, you could raise your hand if you're from Basel and you would like to know more about the program grounds and ask questions. Because if there's no one here that actually is interested in that part.

1:28:50

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We have Marcel, yeah, okay. Okay, quite a few, okay. All right.

1:29:07

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Our foundation is in Basel, which is foundation, but I think you require for the program the civil certification, right? So we are not in that league yet. Okay, maybe last few questions regarding project grants and then we will go over to the next session. All right, let me just...

1:29:41

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

We'd like to hand in a project which starts in 2022 and will end at the end of 2026. Is this possible? Yes. So this would, I guess, be just funding for one year. That is possible. For the future, if we hand in a multi-year proposal, will your funding be paid out once?

1:30:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

No, we pay in installments. So the amount that you put in the online form, the amount that you want for one year, we will pay that out in one installment and then the next installment will be done once we approve your interim report.

1:30:21

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

okay if a project budget is 100 now i have to do some math here if a project budget is 100 000 swiss francs and if pizza provides maximum 50 000 is is it still required a log frame yes so the log frame requirement um refers to the overall project budget not the grant all right and

1:30:48

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Does a project on one thematic, health and solar energy, but implemented in four countries fall under your definition of project? I think I answered that question earlier. It's not so much the number of countries that is relevant, but the level of detail you're able to provide in the proposal. I doubt that you'll be able to provide enough detail on the implementation in four countries in just 10 pages.

1:31:20

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And maybe the last question for this round, and then we'll go over to the next session. Sorry if this has been answered. Are project staff costs in Switzerland eligible for a project whose coordinator is based in Switzerland, but with local partners in developing countries? Lucy, can I maybe hand this question over to you?

1:31:43

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So I'm not quite sure whether I understood the question. I can't see it. So the question is the project coordinator is in Switzerland, but the project is being implemented in countries of the South. Is that correct? Yeah.

1:32:05

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So there again, I think we would look at the percentage of overhead costs that remain in Switzerland. I think there is no different. We wouldn't treat that any differently than other. I mean, that's quite a usual setup that you have a project coordinator based in, say, in the headquarters in Switzerland.

1:32:32

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

and they coordinate and collaborate with partners on the ground. All right. Thank you. I would like to close this session on Project Grants. If you have any urgent questions after this, please drop us an email or give us a call and we can hopefully answer your question. Yes. Before you leave, we would very much love if you can fill out the poll. It's just quick questions on your expectations.

1:33:02

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

regarding the event and if we've been able to fulfill those expectations so as you leave you can fill in the poll in the chat and we will now go over to the next session i will go back to my powerpoint presentation

1:33:23

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thanks to everyone that joined us today, the people leaving now. Thanks for your questions. Thanks for your interest. We're very much looking forward to receive your proposals. And hopefully we've been able to answer your questions. Thank you very much. That was very helpful. Great. Thanks. Thanks. Okay. Going back to the presentation. I think I have to stay in my window again. All right. Now we should.

1:34:06

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

have let's see okay um program grants so i already mentioned the eligibility at the beginning um and i would like to just briefly show the procedure which is very similar to the project grants in terms of the the chronological um flow let's say obviously in terms of the the contents and what has to be submitted is quite different

1:34:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

But in general, the steps are the same as with the project runs. So now I will only focus on the parts that are different to the projects. So the submission deadline, as probably most of you know, is March 1st, very soon. The further deadlines...

1:35:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

are going to be communicated. Not all of you will have a program that runs from 2026 to 2029. So some will, you know, have only a three-year period and then want to apply again in 29. So we will communicate those other deadlines with you as soon as possible. And the submission of the proposal can be done by email. So we do not have an online form for the program proposals.

1:35:27

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Also, looking at the timeframe, since most of the program grants will be more than, will be higher amounts, not all, but most of them will be quite high so that the government council has to take the funding decision. So it will take a little longer, three to four months is what we're expecting for the whole process.

1:35:52

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Also, the downloads obviously are different. So in addition to the guidelines, please do not, or let me phrase it positively, please do hand in your proposal in either German or English and not in French. And please also use the Excel template. This is only applicable to the program grants.

1:36:14

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

For reporting, we asked for annual interim reports and the deadlines and requirements, as I mentioned earlier, will still be communicated. The final report is due six months after the end of the whole funding period. Okay.

1:36:34

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

This is it in terms of the same evaluation criteria applied to program grants. The criteria that Lucy mentioned are the same for project and program grants. I'm sure you have quite a few questions. So let me go back to the question box. Okay. Andrea has a question.

1:37:08

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, thank you. It's actually a project grant, program grant related questions. I'm from FHNW, from the Hochschule of Life Sciences in Mutens. And I was wondering how FHNW is considered. Because the headquarters is in Brug, I believe. And our Hochschule, our school is in Mutens, which is Basel region, I suppose.

1:37:34

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So how do you consider this? Also in terms of you saying one application per organization is allowed? Same question here. So the headquarter needs to be in the Basel region. We understand the Basel region as the Swiss parameter of the tri-national Euro district Basel. I believe Brug is on it. You'd have to check on the website. Okay, yes.

1:38:04

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, but then again, also how you had another person from FHNW earlier in the call who asked the question. And then it's a very large organization. So how do you consider like the different research foci, the different research schools and groups? Is this all one or is like each school one? So this is really difficult.

1:38:25

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yeah, to be honest, we haven't solved this question yet because we haven't, we don't expect to get that many proposals. If we do get proposals from the same organization, but different units, we will get in touch with you. Okay, thank you. You're welcome. André? Okay, let's go to a question in the chat box. Do programs need to, should they be multinational?

1:39:04

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Not necessarily, no. I mean, we do also have some very small organizations in the Basel region that have a very focused strategy, either geographically or thematically, and they are also eligible for funding. Will submissions be invited annually and are program grants or multi-year grants? As I said,

1:39:36

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, it will be possible. This is not the last deadline in the next four years, let's say. But we haven't figured out yet what schedule we will set up for the program grants. But this is not the last opportunity in the next four years to submit a proposal. Our program runs all multi-year grants.

1:40:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, I think so, because the idea behind program brands is also that they correspond to the organizational strategy. And strategies are typically multi-year strategies. If you have maybe an example, I could maybe evaluate this question a little better. Who's this question from?

1:40:31

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

there he is yeah you can speak yeah hi sorry i can maybe just explain where um i guess i was trying to understand whether they're fixed for you mentioned a four-year period so 26 to 29 so is that how it's always envisioned to to be that it would be a kind of three to four year period

1:40:52

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

No, so we also have examples from organizations that also get the SDC core funding. And I told them, for example, that it's okay to hand in a proposal only for three years because the SDC funding period ends in 2028. So they haven't been able to define outcomes as of 28. So it's okay to hand in that as well. Okay, thanks. Peter Steinmann.

1:41:28

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

you had a question yes thank you very much um the question relates to the co-funding um is you you say this

1:41:37

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

expectation is similar as for the project. So I guess that's the 50%. However, in a program, we also understand that activities are described in much less detail. It's more a conceptual submission and not concrete projects. So it's more difficult to show co-funding for the concrete activities. Or do you also then consider the co-funding at a more institutional level?

1:42:06

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So regarding the first comment, we do not do co-funding of 50% for program funds. That would, by large, we would have to spend all or more of our funding. So it's not 50% for the program grants. It's much less.

1:42:26

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

SDC has a maximum co-funding of, I believe, 30 to 40%, depending on the type of organization or program. We will not even be able to give that in co-funding. It'll be less.

1:42:41

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

And regarding the second aspect, more conceptual, yes, absolutely right. It's a much less detailed proposal. And yes, please do also. So the idea is that you basically describe in the proposal what is your program. And as I said earlier, usually that program, or at least that's one of the requirements, that it's in line with your strategy.

1:43:08

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

mean that you have to hand in the whole organizational strategy or all of the programs that the organization is doing, but it should cover a part of the organization. So if you get co-funding or core funding for the organization, then please do put that in the proposal.

1:43:34

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Okay, so I understand that for funding now you talk about the Canton of Basel co-funding. I was talking about the co-funding from the applicant side. So you expect that, I don't know, 20 or 30 percent of the overall budget would come from the Canton of Basel and the rest is through other sources. Yeah, 20 to 30 is at the very upper edge. Very upper limit. Okay, very good. All right.

1:44:07

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

If there are no other questions, I have actually a second one. Do you encourage collaborations between institutions in the Basel area or do you expect that they come from individual institutions?

1:44:21

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So we absolutely welcome collaboration. Absolutely. But in terms of the technicality, we need to have proposals from each organization. But if you have an ongoing collaboration or you're planning to collaborate, please mention it in both of your proposals. Okay. So they would be complementary to each other. And then you explain that you look out for the second one.

1:44:44

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

yeah yeah okay maybe in the coming years we'll have to see it will be possible to also hand in proposals as a consortia but at the moment uh we're not we're not ready to um to

1:45:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

manage that from a methodology point of view.

1:45:04

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Maybe I can just quickly jump in here and say we absolutely welcome collaborations between organizations, even if the technicalities now are a little cumbersome. And, you know, ideally, we would see that there would be a specific value added in this collaboration between these organizations, you know, that I think that will be very interesting.

1:45:34

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

for the canton of Basel, actually. Perfect. Thank you. All right. Alexandra, you had a question.

1:45:46

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes. Hello. Good morning. Thanks a lot for the presentation. I have a very specific one regarding the budget. There is a term that says program relevant, and I wanted to make sure that we understand it correctly. Does it mean that those sections where the program relevant term is used, that those sections are considered as relevant to the program? Or does it mean...

1:46:15

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

only the part relevant to the program is to be submitted. We would actually, our understanding would be that, yeah, we submit basically our entire organizational costs. Yeah. So if you submit the entire cost of the organization, it doesn't really, it's not that relevant. Yeah. For other organizations that only submit, I don't know, half or a quarter of their...

1:46:44

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

That question is all right. All right. Thanks. That clarifies. All right. I think we have more questions in the chat. Can you give some practical examples of what GITSA considers under the heading program compared to projects? Practical examples. Okay. Yeah. So if you have a program, as I said, is a overarching initiative that includes various projects.

1:47:16

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

and usually the program is cross-country, cross-sector, and the outcomes that you define for the program are much higher, much more abstract level, whereas the project is usually, and as an example, you have an organization that works in the areas of health.

1:47:38

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

food security and education in Africa, Asia and South America. And the program would then consist of all those activities. And you would probably have one outcome that is geared at food security, one outcome and that outcome is being...

1:47:59

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

targeted or the contribution to that outcome is being implemented in various countries. Then you have the second outcome that targets education and et cetera, et cetera. And a project would then be a project to enhance food security of primary school children in Tanzania. That is the practical understanding of how we differentiate programs and projects.

1:48:29

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Marcel, the 10-page limitation does not only apply to programs, what is the size of the application expected? Yes, we didn't put a limitation because I think the size of the programs will be very different according to the organizations, like FEPA is a rather small organization, whereas Swiss TPH is a very big organization. So we really, you know,

1:48:55

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

What did I communicate to Swiss TPH? 40 to 60 pages. But I guess in the case of FEB, I can also be less. In any case, if you would like to submit.

1:49:05

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I have to be careful now because how many organizations are watching. But you can submit a draft proposal before the deadline. And we will not be giving you an assessment as in this, you fulfilled the criteria or not. But we might be able to or will be able to tell you if you need to provide a little more information or detail here and there that people will be able to do.

1:49:32

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So if you hand in your proposal and we deem it's not detailed enough or there's information missing, we can tell you. Thank you for that. A question regarding the budget for program submissions. Would you specify further the term... Ah, okay. But this is from... Ah, yes. Excellent.

1:50:00

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Is the dramatic and geographic focus of project funding synchronized with the international cooperation strategy of Switzerland? No, it's not synchronized. I mean, we do try to orientate ourselves.

1:50:15

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

by the national strategy, but we do not want to do the same thing necessarily. We do want to be complementary in terms of geographic and thematic focus. We don't have any for the project and program grants, as I said earlier. So as long as the countries are on the OECD duck list of ODA recipients, it is possible. And also in terms of the...

1:50:44

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the thematic focus there is no restrictions for program funding can an organization apply for more than one of these funding vehicle is the itza project fund as well as the new vehicles yes

1:51:03

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yes, the targeted project grants that will start next year. We will launch a call for proposals for these. You can apply for that even if you already have a running project grant and or program grant. Maybe I missed it, but what is the distribution of your funds between project and program grants? We don't have one yet. I mean, we did budget.

1:51:30

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

according to how many proposals we expect to receive, for example, from Basel-based organizations. But there's no strict size of the various tools. We really want to try and orientate ourselves according to the needs also. So we want to see what comes in first and then we can decide how much we contribute to each of the various tools. Am I missing any raised hands?

1:52:01

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Let's go to the questions. Is a partnership with a Swiss-based organization required or can organizations based directly in Kosovo apply independently for GIZA funding, for example, for projects in education? No, that is not possible. The law actually stipulates that the organization has to be a legal entity based in Switzerland at least.

1:52:26

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

until what date draft proposals can be handed in now if you all hand in your draft proposal on february 25th and the deadlines on march 1st that will be very difficult for us let's say the the shorter time you give us the more um the more um

1:52:47

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

the more minimal the feedback will be. Some organizations have reached out and told me, OK, we'll give you the proposal then and we'd like to have a feedback by then. You can do that. And we try to fit in a slot in our calendars to really look at your proposal. But if you, as I said, if you hand it in two days before the deadline, our feedback will be very minimal.

1:53:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Next question, maybe I missed it, but what is the distribution of your funds? We already looked at that. You mentioned it is allowed to monetize voluntary work and indicate it as in-kind contribution. How much is the hourly rate of one hour voluntary work evaluated as possible? I mean, that really depends on your organization. I mean, there are ranges of acceptable rates in the sector and you really have to orientate yourself.

1:53:41

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

according to what different organisations ask for, or different expert levels ask for an hourly rate. We cannot tell you. It is very individual. Obviously, if you're asking for 300 francs an hour, then we will raise our eyebrows.

1:54:03

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

What would you consider elementary pillars that should really be part of the program, for example, education or capacity building? That is a very difficult question to answer, actually. I cannot say. Maybe you can raise your hand and we can talk about it because I don't quite know what you're trying to get at. This is from, yeah, Savitra, you can talk.

1:54:33

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Yeah, I suppose I was just getting at, you know, if you consider any core elements that would distinguish a program from sort of a collection of an umbrella of just different smaller projects, or if you really expect it to have kind of this, a layer of, yeah, this education, capacity building.

1:55:00

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

things that you would consider being really core elements of a program? I don't think I can answer that question in general like that. What the focus of your program is really depends on the strategy of your organization. Maybe Lucy, if you're still here, you can say a few words or what your take is on this question.

1:55:30

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I'm not quite sure I understood it correctly, but I mean, we will be assessing the programme contributions also with regard to the relevance of the whole programme and the coherency of it and the impact that we feel it has, of course, on an overarching level.

1:55:57

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Like we've elaborated, you know, the types of organizations which are eligible to submit program proposals are very diverse, you know, from a small organization like FEPA to a larger organization. And so we would be we will be evaluating this on a case by case basis, not have generalized criteria that we can apply. OK, I know that does answer it. Thank you.

1:56:27

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

All right. Peter Steinmann. Yeah, thank you for giving me a second chance. I'm asking about the local ownership criterion, which is...

1:56:41

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

somehow favoring to work in places where we already know the partners and already have established partnerships. Is this the intention of it or can local ownership also be demonstrated at the end of a project as we have a program we develop?

1:57:02

S… Speaker 3 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

specific initiative, a specific activity, and then local ownership is demonstrated at the end of that by, for example, it's taken over, continued by the local partners, which would enable that we work in an area where until now we had not worked. So expansion of collaborations instead of continuing what has already been done.

1:57:34

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

I think that's probably...

1:57:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Not quite the right way to put the question, actually, because what we will be looking for is a convincing proposal where you tell us how you are achieving that local ownership. And there, too, like I mentioned, I mean.

1:57:58

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

One important element would have to be also kind of the demand on the ground, right? I mean, in the case of Swiss TPH, obviously, you've got very longstanding collaborations, you've got expertise, you know, you've got a huge track record. And if you are seeking to scale up or to set up kind of a new unit of something, then, you know, I'm sure you will be able to.

1:58:26

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

to convincingly argue in what way that would be achieved and how you are seeking to strengthen local ownership or to ensure local ownership. But that part would have to be demonstrated convincingly. That should not be implicit. I think I would encourage you to make that very explicit. Okay.

1:58:59

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Just a few last questions as we're nearing the end of the event. Our organization received the program contribution from the SDC. We are currently in the 2025 to 2028 program phase. This contribution covers 80% of four projects, as well as most of our HR and HQ costs. We therefore conduct fundraising to secure the remaining 20. Would this be a type of funding that we could request from Baselstadt in the program?

1:59:29

S… Speaker 4 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

category. So you mean the remaining 20 being

2:00:01

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

all right sorry i was cut off i didn't expect my laptop to only survive for two hours luckily we have two laptops um so i was saying that

2:00:14

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

So in general, we do want to see how much the contribution of Baselstadt is also to the outcomes. So not just the HR and the HQ costs. But obviously, since the program proposals and budget are at a much less detailed level, we will not go to each individual frank and see which money comes from us and which comes from the rest.

2:00:40

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

But I think to really be able to answer this question, we would need to see the proposal. I don't know if you have an opinion on this, Lucy. No, I think I would underline what you've just been saying. All right. Last question. Is it eligible to allocate funds from this grant to the local partners as well? Yes, absolutely. I mean, this is something that...

2:01:11

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Lucy has mentioned several times, also me, that we do want the money, the resources. This is very much in line with the localization aspect. We want the money to be implemented on the ground. So the idea is not to subsidize with salaries, but to really have an impact on the ground. And for that, you also need to invest locally.

2:01:37

S… Speaker 2 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

in resources, in capacities, competences, etc.

2:01:43

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

All right. We have no more questions and we are at the end of the session. Perfect. I hope this means that we've been able to answer all of your questions. Maybe as you leave, you can also fill in the poll. Do you need to reactivate it or it's still open? So it should still be open in the chat. Thanks a lot. If you have any remaining questions or concerns, please do reach out. You have our phone number on the website or email.

2:02:12

S… Speaker 1 (Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05)

Thanks a lot. We're looking forward to see your proposals. Thanks also to you, Lucy, over there in India. Thank you. Thank you, everybody, for joining. Have a good lunch. Thank you. Bye. Thanks a lot.

Aufzeichnung Infoveranstaltung 2026.02.05

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