The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) is implementing the European Social Fund Plus measure “Support for New Approaches in the Provision of Community-Based Social Services”, aimed at promoting social innovation in the field of social services by developing modern, needs-based, and relevant community-based social services. Within the framework of this measure, applicants are invited to participate in an open call for social innovation project proposals and receive financial support of up to EUR 300,000 for the development and/or enhancement of a social service. The total funding available for this call is EUR 9 million.
Society today faces numerous economic and social challenges that require continuous exploration of alternative, new, and more effective solutions. Social services play a crucial role in the lives of individuals at risk of social exclusion by ensuring dignified care where needed.
The available support opens up a unique opportunity to transform and develop new social innovation approaches in the field of social services, improving the quality of life for those who need it most.
“We are pleased and proud that this support programme creates opportunities to develop new, innovative solutions and improve existing services. Now is the time to implement changes that build a more inclusive society, where every person feels supported and valued,”
says Alda Sebre, Director of the Department of Social Cohesion at SIF.
The selection process consists of two stages – the social innovation idea selection and the social innovation project application selection. Currently, only the idea submission stage is open. Both idea and project proposals must aim at creating and/or developing a community-based social service for target groups at risk of social exclusion.
In the idea selection stage, the relevance of the social innovation, alignment with target groups, the novelty of proposed methods or solutions, and sustainability will be assessed. Idea submissions are open for 12 months and will be evaluated quarterly. The selection may close earlier if the total available funding is allocated before the end of the period. The first evaluation of idea submissions is planned for January 2025.
Eligible applicants for both idea and project stages include state or municipal institutions, derived public entities, associations, foundations, or commercial entities, including social enterprises. Applications may be submitted individually or in partnership with other organizations.
At the project application stage, proposals can be submitted within two months after the approval of the idea application. The maximum implementation period for a project is 24 months. A mandatory condition is that the social service must be piloted for at least 12 months, involving no fewer than 20 participants from the project’s target group.
An informative online seminar will take place on 21 November 2024 at 10:00 on SIF’s Facebook page, where interested parties can ask questions before submitting their idea applications.
For the latest updates and detailed information about the call, visit the Foundation’s website: HERE.
This information was prepared by the Society Integration Foundation within the framework of the ESF+ project No. 4.4.1.1/1/24/I/001 “Support for New Approaches in the Provision of Community-Based Social Services”. The Society Integration Foundation is responsible for the content.
