The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is inviting applications for financial grants aimed at strengthening local stakeholders’ capacity to effectively contribute to the humanitarian response for those fleeing from Ukraine to Hungary. This initiative is part of IOM's broader strategy, as outlined in the Ukraine Strategic Response Plan for 2024-2026, which prioritizes both localization and capacity building. Financial grants aim to strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders to ensure that services and interventions are both locally driven and sustainable, contributing to long-term recovery and resilience for affected populations, particularly the Roma community and other vulnerable groups. By investing in local actors, IOM aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the Ukraine crisis response in Hungary. 

Purpose of this call: Identify and empower local stakeholders by providing them with capacity-building opportunities through financial support. The goal is to enhance their ability to deliver sustainable, community-driven solutions that address the immediate and long-term needs of affected populations in Hungary, with a particular focus on highly vulnerable communities. 

Process: This is an open selection process. Proposals will be evaluated based on their feasibility, quality, and how effectively the grant will strengthen the applicant’s capacity to contribute to the localization of the Ukraine response in Hungary. The selection will also consider the applicant's credibility and recognition within the target communities. 

Clarification Requests: All requests for clarification must be submitted in writing to iombudapestip@iom.int no later than 3 October 2024. IOM will compile all questions into a Q&A document, which will be available for download at the bottom of this page by 7 October 2024. To maintain transparency, IOM will not engage in bilateral discussions with organizations during the application period.

Contracting: Selected Grant Recipient Entities (GREs) will receive direct support from IOM in the form of a financial grant, aimed at enhancing their capacity to effectively contribute to the localization of the Ukraine response in Hungary.  

Contracting modalities: To ensure inclusivity for grassroots organizations or those that may not yet have the capacity to fully implement activities, IOM offers two tailored grant modalities designed to accommodate the diverse needs and capacities of applicants. While applicants are not required to prove their capacity to implement activities, they must demonstrate adequate capacity to prudently manage the financial support. 

When applying for the grant, applicants can choose between two pathways, each with specific financial management requirements: 

• Standard Financial Grant: Applicants who require an advance payment of up to 50% of the total budget may choose this option.  This option is available to recipients who pass a due diligence process. Due diligence collects important information to help assess potential partnerships by weighing benefits and risks. Applicants need to provide documents demonstrating capacity in five areas: governance and external influence, program capacity, operational capacity, financial management and accounting system, and procurement/supply chain. 

• Simplified Financial Grant: This option allows applicants to spend the funds first and then submit certified receipts for reimbursement within an agreed threshold and timeframe. No advance payments are involved, and all receipts must be summarized in a list of transactions. This pathway is suitable for applicants whose financial management capacity may be more limited. 

Applicants may apply for only one of these pathways. During the selection process, IOM will conduct a pre-award risk assessment to evaluate the applicants' ability to manage the financial support. The pre-award risk assessment will focus on the applicants’ capacity to handle the funds, rather than their existing capacity to implement activities, as the grant itself can be used to build such capacity. Applicants must carefully choose their preferred pathway, as failure to pass the due diligence process for the Standard Financial Grant will result in rejection, with no option to switch or reapply to the Simplified Financial Grant. 

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Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee funding. 

 

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1. Timeline 

Call for Grant Applications number	CGA HU-2024-02
Posted (date)	26 September 2024
Clarification Request Deadline	3 October 2024
Circulation and publication of the Q&A	7 October 2024
Submission deadline	13 October 2024
Notification of Results	By 25 October 2024
Implementation Start Date	1 November 2024
Implementation End Date	TBD
Location	Hungary

 

 

2. Project background and objectives  

The war that followed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022 has triggered the largest human mobility crisis the European continent has experienced since World War II. Addressing the needs of people fleeing Ukraine necessitates action and forward-thinking far beyond immediate, life-saving emergency assistance. It requires investing in inclusion and resilience building, education and livelihoods.  

According to the Regional Refugee Response Plan (2024), approximately 85,000 individuals seek safety in Hungary in 2024, with around 40,000 requiring protection-related support. 

Looking ahead, IOM Hungary remains committed to saving lives, protecting people on the move, and driving sustainable solutions for displacement. With a focus on protection, education, healthcare, mental health, and socio-economic inclusion, IOM Hungary's strategy for the future, embedded in its three-year Ukraine Response Strategy for 2024-2026, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing vulnerable groups and empowering displaced individuals towards self-sufficiency and agency in rebuilding their lives. 

Central to this strategy are the principles of localization and capacity building. Localization is key to empowering local actors, allowing them to lead humanitarian interventions that are contextually appropriate, responsive to the community’s needs, and sustainable over time. By enhancing the skills and resources of local organizations, IOM ensures that services provided are not only relevant but also scalable, promoting long-term recovery and resilience in host communities. Through enhancing capacity, IOM also aims to ensure that local organizations are equipped not only to meet urgent humanitarian needs but also to foster long-term socio-economic inclusion and resilience. This approach promotes sustainability by empowering local actors to lead interventions now and in the future. 

With this call for financial grants, IOM Hungary seeks to identify and support local stakeholders who can effectively contribute to the humanitarian response. The grants will focus on enhancing local capacity through financial support, enabling organizations to deliver solutions tailored to local needs, with a specific focus on highly vulnerable communities. IOM Hungary seeks initiatives that are consistent with the operational sectors outlined in the Ukraine Situation: Regional Refugee Response Plan 2024 to address the objectives detailed above.  

The key sectors include: 

• Education and capacity building; 

• Case management, mentoring and empowerment; 

• Shelter and accommodation; 

• Protection; 

• Health, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS);  

• Labour market integration; 

• Support services for response actors. 

The grant could be utilized to strengthen both the operational and institutional capacities of entities, including enhancing capacity in areas where vital services have been significantly curtailed due to insufficient funding. 

As a starting point for the partnership, selected entities will be required to attend an introductory training session covering essential aspects of financial and narrative reporting and visibility requirements. Additionally, they will receive training on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). 

If deemed necessary, IOM will also offer ongoing support throughout the partnership. This may include additional training, regular oversight, and hands-on assistance in areas such as financial management or organizational development. These tools aim to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of projects. 

 

3. Indicative budget  

The project proposal budget should range between 2 and 4 million HUF (Hungarian Forints). IOM encourages organizations to request an amount that aligns with their organizational capacity, experience, and the scope of their proposed project. While applicants are not required to demonstrate their full capacity to implement all activities at the outset – since the grant can also serve to enhance such capacity – they must still show the ability to manage the financial support responsibly. 

 

4. Eligibility criteria 

The applicants must satisfy the following requirements:  

• Be a government agency, government owned or controlled corporation, non-profit entity/foundation, non-governmental or other civil society entity (NGO/CSO), or company that meets the definition of micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME); 

• Be registered in Hungary according to local regulations;  

• Be committed to the core values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,  the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Framework, Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the IOM Data Protection Principles and the Humanitarian Principles; 

• Complete and submit the Declaration of Conformity with the application; 

• Have been established at least 6 months prior to the date of the Call for Grant Applications (CGA) publication by IOM and IOM’s award decision; 

• Not have any affiliations1 with IOM staff members.  

 

5. Selection criteria  

The selection of financial grant recipients will be primarily guided by programmatic relevance. 

Submitted proposals should: 

• Set out clear, concrete objectives that contribute directly to the goals outlined in the Call for Applications; 

• Be realistic and achievable within the provided budget and project timeline; 

• Highlight the applicant’s credibility and standing within their community; 

• Justify the budget by demonstrating cost-effectiveness and efficiency; 

Special consideration will be given to project proposals that focus on highly vulnerable communities, including but not limited to Roma and LGBTQI+ communities, and address intersectionality.  

Applications will be reviewed and scored by an IOM evaluation committee comprising operational and resources management staff, based on a set of predefined selection criteria and weighting: 

Relevance of the Proposed Intervention – 20% 

• Project’s alignment with the immediate and long-term needs of refugees from Ukraine in Hungary, particularly the most vulnerable with a focus on addressing their specific challenges through enhanced organizational capacity; 

• Demonstration of how building the organization’s internal capacity, including enhancing capacity in areas where vital services have been significantly curtailed, will lead to improved delivery of services that directly respond to these needs. 

Effectiveness of the Proposed Intervention – 20% 

• Demonstration of how the intervention will strengthen the organization’s capacity to implement programmes more effectively, ensuring that enhanced skills, systems, and structures will improve service delivery; 

• Clearly outlined specific, measurable goals that show how increased organizational capacity will lead to better outcomes for refugees and displaced populations; 

• Flexibility to adapt both the intervention and organizational processes to evolving refugee needs, ensuring maximum programmatic impact as the organization grows stronger. 

Community Relations and Local Knowledge – 20% 

• Deep understanding of the local context and challenges, ensuring that increased capacity will enable the applicant to implement interventions more effectively; 

• Recognition within the community, and how the capacity-building efforts will enhance the organization’s engagement and credibility with the local population. 

Feasibility and Expertise – 15% 

• Detailed overview of the current capacity of the applicant in terms of personnel, infrastructure, systems, and implementation capacity while explaining how the grant will fill gaps to ensure better project implementation; 

• Applicant’s track record in delivering relevant projects, combined with an understanding of areas that need development, demonstrating how the grant will improve their ability to address the specific needs of refugees. 

Cost-Effectiveness and Financial Capacity – 10% 

• Reflection in the budget how the grant will be used to strengthen the applicant’s financial and operational capacity, ensuring more efficient and impactful programme delivery; 

• Demonstration of sound financial management practices that will improve as a result of the grant, ensuring accountability and transparency in managing resources. 

Geographic Access and Security – 10% 

• Ability of the organization to reach target populations safely and how capacity-building efforts will enhance its logistical and security planning to ensure better access to urban and rural areas. 

Participatory Approach and Innovation – 5% 

• Innovative approaches to engaging affected populations in the project, with a focus on how the organization’s improved capacity will ensure that the intervention reflects the needs and input of those it serves; 

• Use of new tools and strategies to strengthen the organization’s ability to implement more responsive and impactful programmes. 

Projects that prioritize highly vulnerable communities, including Roma and LGBTQI+ populations, and address intersectionality will receive special consideration. A 10% bonus on top of the total 100 points will be awarded to proposals that demonstrate a clear, culturally sensitive plan for enhancing organizational capacity to serve these groups. Proposals must show how the project will address the unique needs of vulnerable populations with approaches that reflect local contexts and challenges. 

 

6. How to apply  

Completed applications must be submitted, in English, by email to iombudapestip@iom.int by 13 October 2024.  

Standard Financial Grant (A)	Simplified Financial Grant (B)
This grant modality allows GREs to receive advances and spend according to a pre-approved budget, with the requirement to submit financial reports and supporting receipts to IOM. However, it can only be used if the recipient has been assessed as having sufficient capacity to manage and report on the provided payments, based on a Due Diligence Assessment (DDA). The due diligence process gathers critical information to assess potential partnerships by evaluating benefits and risks. Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating their capacity in five key areas: governance and external influence, program capacity, operational capacity, financial management and accounting systems, and procurement/supply chain.	This is a grant modality whereby the GREs spend funds and submit certified copies of receipts for reimbursement by IOM within a prior agreed threshold and timeframe, with no advance payment involved. The receipts details shall be summarized in a list of transactions. Financial support to GREs is provided on a reimbursement basis and only if supported by receipts. This modality is suitable to situations where the financial capacities of GREs are assessed less than sufficient to receive a Standard Financial Grant.
Documents to submit (please see on the bottom of this page) One-page cover letter, signed and stamped    Annex A – Concept Note    Annex B – Financial proposal (for the proposal, fill in the lines indicated under label "Budget & Fin Report", focusing only on the "Budget" columns (B-I) and lines.)  Annex C – Declaration of conformity (filled in and signed)  Annex D – Proscribed Practices  Annex E – Grant Recipient General Information Questionnaire  Annex F – Grant Recipient References Checklist  Documentation as proof of legal registration (court registry) and a certified signature sample  Policies and regulations (at least some of the following: Organizational Regulations; Document Management; Inventory and Disposal; Finance and Accounting; Evaluation; Procurement; Child Protection; PSEA; etc.)   Organigramme (Segregation of Duties and Responsibilities)  Any other relevant information	Documents to submit:  One-page cover letter, signed and stamped    Annex A – Concept Note    Annex B – Financial proposal (for the proposal, fill in the lines indicated under label "Budget & Fin Report", focusing only on the "Budget" columns (B-I) and lines.)  Annex C – Declaration of conformity (filled in and signed)   Annex D – Proscribed Practices  Documentation as proof of legal registration (court registry)  Any other relevant documents

 

1. All applicants will receive written notification, within two weeks after the deadline for the submission of the Concept Note, about the outcome of the selection process. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response explaining the transparency and integrity of the selection process undertaken. 

2. IOM reserves the right to decline disclosure of the specificity of decision derived by the IOM mission due to reasons related to confidentiality. 

3. IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Application, and to annul the selection process and reject all Applications at any time, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected applicants. 

4. Applications may be modified or withdrawn in writing, prior to the closing time specified in this Call for Grant Applications. Applications shall not be modified or withdrawn after the deadline. 

5. The Applicant shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the Application and IOM will not in any case be responsible and liable for the costs incurred. 

6. IOM at no occasion will ask an application fee from Applicants. 

7. Applicants can use IOM's We Are All In platform for reporting fraud, corruption or misconduct. 

8. All information given in writing to or verbally shared with the Applicants in connection with this CGA is to be treated as strictly confidential. The Applicant shall not share or invoke such information to any third party without the prior written approval of IOM. This obligation shall continue after the selection process has been completed whether or not the Applicant’s application is successful. 

9. IOM will treat all information (or that marked proprietary/sensitive/financial) received from Applicants as confidential and any personal data in accordance with its Data Protection Principles. 

10. The Applicant, by submitting an application, gives consent to IOM to share information with those who need to know for the purposes of evaluating and managing the proposal. 

11. By submitting the application, the Applicant confirms adherence to IOM’s Declaration of Conformity Form (Annex C) and acknowledges receipt of the list of Proscribed Practices (Annex D). 

All clarification requests must be sent by email to iombudapestip@iom.int by 3 October 2024. Any question received after this deadline may not be addressed.  

IOM will compile all requests and publish responses on IOM’s website no later than 7 October 2024.  

To ensure equal treatment of all applicants, responses to questions will be made publicly available, without identifying the source of the request.