The EU Delegation to India, has launched a Restricted Call for Proposals, under the Support for Civil Society in Partner Countries programme. The budget allocation is approximately EUR 9,5 Million.

The objective of this Call for Proposals is to strengthen local Civil Society Organisations’ ability to engage as actors of good governance and development. This is expected to be done through promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, in partnership with public authorities and the private sector, with a focus on livelihood and economic empowerment.

The priorities of this Call for Proposals are:

• Promoting Indian-made craft products' e.g. handicrafts and textiles, through technological innovation and modernisation, competiveness, enhanced quality, efficiency and market linkages, with a lens of improved livelihoods and economic empowerment.
• Improving circular economy / responsible consumption and production for Indian-made craft products, particularly textiles, and linking it with livelihood support initiatives.
• Improving circular economy, responsible consumption and production, along with environmental and social value chains through linking it with livelihood support initiatives.
• Supporting access to gainful employment/self-employment of women, youth and vulnerable communities, for positively affecting livelihoods and economic empowerment on a sustainable basis - including through skilling, capacity building, supporting access to credit, improved marketing techniques, and access to other livelihoods services. 
• Raising awareness of key actors i.e. social enterprises, CSOs and private sector actors on inclusive economy, social-responsive business, corporate social responsibility, decent work (including occupational health and safety conditions), and promoting entrepreneurship (including financial training, management, etc.) with a strong focus on women, youth and vulnerable communities. In addition, increasing linkages with European companies and/or platforms of European companies in India with a view of positively impacting beneficiary livelihood.
• Supporting MSMEs and SMEs capacities in shifting towards digitisation for improved market access, livelihood and income generation. 
• Facilitating knowledge, technology and experience transfer from other countries, especially from Europe and the South Asia region.

Interested applicants can apply online : https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/online-services/#/ (ref no 180987)

Deadline for submission is 30 April 2024 at 12:00 hrs (Brussels date and time)

Read carefully the eligibility conditions, information on the selection procedure and timing.