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GULBENKIAN.PT

Climate action and public participation

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has created a credit facility for projects that promote public participation in climate action, aimed at municipalities and non-governmental organisations with the experience and ability to test new approaches that encourage participation in climate action or scale-up effective approaches.

Date

Start date04 Dec 2023 / 09:00
End date05 Feb 2024 / 15:00

Lisbon Time

Documents

This credit facility aims to create opportunities for the development and scalability of new approaches to public participation in climate action. Projects that make a direct and measurable contribution to the following are eligible for support:

  • inspire greater citizen participation in climate action at the local or municipal level, especially among new target audiences and/or underrepresented groups;
  • support innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing between municipalities and NGOs;
  • strengthen the capacities of civil society, responding to the needs, opportunities and gaps identified;
  • increase the visibility of the participation of ordinary people and the benefits of participation;
  • promote the need to invest in public participation in the policy agenda;
  • amplify public support for prioritising climate action on the public agenda.

Eligibility Requirements

  • This call for proposals is open to non-governmental organisations working in the environmental field and municipalities.
  • Public or private non-profit organisations can apply for this credit facility, either individually or in partnership.
  • Only projects with a direct impact in Portugal will be eligible.

How to apply

  • Applications will only be accepted online and in Portuguese.
  • Register at MyGulbenkian.
  • Before submitting your application form, check all the eligibility criteria. Be sure to read the Call Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions (available in the documents section).
  • Applications may only be submitted once all the mandatory fields of the form have been completed and the documents required under the Call Conditions have been uploaded.
  • At the end, click on “submit application”. Try not to submit your application in the last few days leading up to the deadline to avoid any unforeseen problems at the last minute.

Faq

Do projects have to fulfil specific objectives?

Yes. Applications must involve projects that fulfil the following objectives:

  • promote public consultation and participation in climate programmes;
  • develop and test communication and influencing strategies to increase public participation;
  • prioritise underrepresented target audiences and those most affected by climate change;
  • tackle a specific engagement challenge;
  • produce and share new evidence and data on the most effective strategies;
  • work in partnership with other sectors and stakeholders.

What should the project duration be?

Projects can be carried out until March 2025 and are expected to start in April 2024.

Who can apply?

This call for proposals is aimed at non-governmental organisations working in the environmental field and municipalities. Public or private non-profit organisations can apply for this credit facility.

Applicant institutions must meet the following requirements:

  • based in Portugal;
  • legally incorporated and duly registered in accordance with the law;
  • no debts owning to Social Security and tax authorities;
  • have a direct impact in Portugal.

Is establishing partnerships with other organisations compulsory?

No, but it will be valued.

Can organisations submit or be part of more than one application?

Proposing organisations may not submit more than one application, although they may be included as partner organisations in other applications. Partner organisations can be part of several applications.

Are the activity costs of potential partner organisations eligible?

Expenditure relating to the activities of potential partner organisations is eligible provided it directly contributes to the project’s activities and is duly provided for in the application. Expenses must be paid by the applicant organisation, which is the sole beneficiary of this credit facility.

What are the application assessment criteria?

Applications that fulfil the eligibility criteria will be assessed by a duly qualified independent jury, assisted by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s Sustainability Programme team.

Projects will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Project

  • the degree to which the project is expected to contribute to the stated objectives;
  • clarity and soundness of the proposal (objectives, methodology, planning, expected outcomes and impact);
  • relevance of the proposal in the context of national and local climate action priorities;
  • potential impact (number of people the project could involve; ability to reach groups not involved or underrepresented);
  • project excellence compared to other existing projects;
  • budget.

Team

  • team competences for the proposed project, including experience and openness to collaboration;
  • level of motivation and commitment to the application;
  • reputation and contact network - previous projects implemented, partner network, prizes awarded, etc.
Updated on 05 may 2025

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