Funding criteria

CNF criteria
Important guidelines for applications
Activities not eligible for CNF support
Limiting criteria
How much money can we apply for?


Organisations applying for funding will find it useful to know CNF's criteria:

• Only registered NGOs may apply
  The project must be administered by a legal entity that is a non-governmental non-profit organisation (for instance a foundation, an association, a federation, a union or caritas/diaconia) registered in one of the CNF co-ordination countries.
• Limited coverage of operational costs
  The application may involve investment costs in construction or reconstruction work or equipment, training expenses, capacity building and advocacy. Operating expenses can be applied for, though cannot be covered 100%. Costs must be linked to project execution and goals, related to the local situation, and are only provided if there are prospects of continued financing from other sources.
• Be innovative
  The project must operate as a model that can be repeated by other organisations. At the same time, it has to be innovative in the sense that it shows a workable example to the community. As a principle, the CNF stimulate the process of de-institutionalisation.
• Proper working methods
  There must be no legal or ethic objections to the methods or therapeutic approach practised or adopted. It must be effective in realising aims.
• Put in your own share
  The applying organisation has to make a contribution itself, either from its own financial resources or through the mobilisation of volunteers or (local) sponsors (in kind).
• Your doors are open to anyone
  The project must have an open structure, without restrictions to those in need based on religion, ethnic descent, political conviction etc. Meanwhile, we require the applying organisations to be independent from any political stream or party that could influence the independence and sustainability of the project. For church projects this means that initiatives of an ecumenical nature are preferred; projects that are set up from a specific religious orientation need to be open in their attitude to others in order to qualify for support.
• Your bookkeeping must be transparent
  The applying organisation must be transparent, which means that it has an accountable bookkeeping.

Despite these strict rules, the criteria for obtaining grants from CNF are flexible to some extent. The CNF do not wish to exclude innovative projects and new ideas that do not qualify immediately. In cases of doubt, please consult the respective country co-ordinator.

Important guidelines for applications

• objectives must be clear
• application must be complete
• project must be feasible and justifiable
• organisation must have the capacity to execute and implement the project
• co-financing must be indicated
• project must have a solid social support
• voluntary work must be promoted
• target group and local community must be involved
• project must be geared to enlarging know-how
• applicant must keep good relations with local authorities
• applicant must include a plan for sustainability of the organisation’s activities

The following activities are not eligible for CNF support:

• scientific research projects
• projects for environmental purposes or cultural heritage
• applications for religious purposes
• activities that are generally considered to be the responsibility of government, such as formal education and regular medical care
• emergency aid
• large-scale projects, costing millions of US dollars
• projects that only deal with the extension of already existing activities  

Limiting criteria

In Ukraine projects of a general nature are limited to the four Western oblasts of Transcarpathia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi. Projects for introducing and enhancing foster care arrangements, such as family type children’s homes and training of (future) foster families and foster children can be applied for throughout the country.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina the target groups are children and youth in disadvantaged positions.

How much money can we apply for?

CNF do not use fixed amounts for specific objects or projects in all countries. In all cases the budget should be realistic; there should be a balance between costs, results, own contribution and other resources.

In Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kaliningrad and Moldova there is no maximum amount per grant, as the amount differs per target group and every case will be evaluated individually. The size of the grant is the outcome of a calculation of what is needed, what other sources are available and CNF's own financial resources.

The maximum grant amount for applications from Montenegro is € 15,000.

For project applications from Serbia and Ukraine the maximum grant amount is € 20,000.

To get a clue about projects in relation to the size of grants read our Annual Report or visit the Projects section.