The Unitarian Community Fund, a partnership between Project Harvest Hope and the Szekelydvarhelyi Kozossegi Alapitvany, is a $36,000 grant fund open to Unitarian Communities in Transylvania who want to create and lead projects focused on building their community.

The Fund is designed to help communities explore and develop projects which they believe will increase the quality of life in their village.

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.  Involving partners and volunteers builds sustainability, ensures continuity and communications and helps SzKA determine if this idea is supported by the community.  Additionally, applicants will be required to provide minimum 20% self contribution which can be a combination of materials and funds.  Building the 20% self contribution ensures community buy-in and is an important part of ensuring commitment.  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 can not be for the exclusive benefit of the Unitarian community, but the local Unitarian community must be centrally involved.

Projects are a maximum of $3000.  We accept a wide range of ideas based on our belief that you know best what your community needs. Ypur project idea should promote civil society through (not in order of priority):

  • Collaboration and partnership
  • Village volunteerism
  • Ecumenical values
  • Preservation of traditions and cultural heritage
  • Outreach to marginalized groups

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.

HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

WHEN?

LOIs will be accepted until 1st April.  If you are interested, please email program@szka.org or call 0745-495392 so we can get the process started.

[alpine-phototile-for-picasa-and-google-plus src=”user_album” uid=”113740193888523982066″ ualb=”5849721095213776481″ imgl=”fancybox” style=”gallery” row=”20″ grwidth=”800″ grheight=”600″ num=”128″ size=”320″ align=”center” max=”100″]