The Unitarian Kaláka Fund is a partnership between Unitarian Kaláka (an NGO from USA) and the Odorheiu Secuiesc Community Foundation. Unitarian Kaláka, committed to its mission of promoting the economic and cultural vitality of Unitarian villages in Transylvania, is launching a new phase of its support to Unitarian villages in Transylvania.

A principal aim of the Fund is community building.  For that reason, applicants must show a commitment to building local partnerships, involving local institutions, volunteers and providing some local resources.  The key elements of this call for proposal:

  • the UKF offer a matching fund up to 50% of the projects (up to max. 1500 USD/project). This mean that the applicants need to raise min. 50% of their total budget. Building the 50% self contribution ensures community buy-in and is an important part of ensuring commitment.
  • the fundraising process is supported by an online crowdfunding platform: give-get-do.roThe applicants will apply by uploading their projects to this platform and by this way all their fundraising process will become visible. 5% of the raised money will be directed to the maintenance of the fundraising platform.

By these elements we strive to help the Unitarian villages to build their sustainability and to mobilize funds in a new way.

Because these are requirements, the SzKA staff is here to work with you on your planning and development should you want our support.

 

WHO MAY APPLY?

NGOs and initiative groups from Unitarian Rural Communities of Transylvania (those villages which appear in the Transylvanian Unitarian Church Directory).

If you are an initiative group (do not have an NGO) we will work with you to find a partner.

 

WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PROJECT?

         Projects should be about, by, and for your community.  When you are thinking about a project idea, ask yourself: How can we contribute to a living and vital community?  What kind of activities and initiatives would help to motivate and activate our community to act for their own better future?  The project ideas cannot be for the exclusive benefit of the Unitarian community, but the local Unitarian community must be involved.

One project support which is a matching fund is a maximum of 1500 USD/project. We accept a wide range of ideas based on our belief that you know best what your community needs. Your project idea should promote:

  • collaboration and partnership
  • village volunteerism
  • ecumenical values
  • preservation of tradition and cultural heritage

 

Attention! The projects need to be uploaded in three languages: Hungarian, Romanian and English.

Before your project become active and visible on the crowdfunding platform there will be a pre-evaluation process. When we will make a decision about your project we will give high priority to projects which:

  • are based on community decision
  • address real local needs and/or willingness
  • build on partnership (involve actively local people and local NGOs, institutions, companies)
  • contribute with a high level of voluntary work and local resources
  • can assure the sustainability of their project after the financial support is completed
  • can have a real impact to change something in the community.

Attention! Applicants must also submit a short fundraising plan.

 

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE FUND?

The UKF as matching fund allocates a total of 4500 USD this time. For this purpose Unitarian Kaláka will match the projects which will succeed to raise 50% of their target amount. The matching fund should be max. 1500 USD / project.

In the case of the own contribution, we agree that half of this (up to max. 25% of the whole budget) could be volunteering work or tool offerings, material offerings, service offerings.

The matching support will be provided to those projects that will raise the target amount till the given deadline.

 

HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? 

  • Publish the Announcement through different media and online channels
  • Applicants upload their postject ideas to www.give-get-do.ro platform until 7th February
  • Pre-evaluate and activate the projects on the GGD platform on 12th February
  • NGO’s fundraise for their projects 13th February – 30th April
  • SZKA will contract the the winner projects till 15th May
  • Project implementation period: 15th May –the end of the projects
  • SZKA do monitoring of project’s implementation
  • The project coordinator provides information (photos, testimonials, written report) about the project after every 30 days
  • The project coordinator gives a report to SZKA after the project is closed
  • SZKA organize a closing meeting and edits and publish report on his own site

 

Attention! SZKA evaluates project ideas and fundraising plans till 12th February. After the evaluation, 3-5 applications (depending on the requested amount) will start the fundraising process.

 

For more information and support, please email program@szka.org or call 0745-495392.