Foundation Conservation Carpathia is launching the 2024-2025 Small Grants Programme, dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses in the Făgăraș Mountains area. This grant programme, part of the CARPATHIA Fund, aims primarily to support projects that promote a nature-based economy and contribute to the long-term conservation of the Făgăraș Mountains.
The CARPATHIA Fund is a funding initiative launched by Foundation Conservation Carpathia to financially support micro and small enterprises around the Făgăraș Mountains. Through the Small Grants Programme, the organization aims to foster the development of a sustainable economy that responsibly utilises local natural resources and contributes to the creation of a National Park in the Făgăraș Mountains.
“Through the CARPATHIA Fund, we aim to offer tangible and meaningful support to local communities,” said Istvan Szabo, Conservation Enterprise Director at Foundation Conservation Carpathia, “promoting initiatives that capitalise on nature and contribute to the sustainable development of the Făgăraș Mountains. Small businesses can become the engine of a nature-based economy, leveraging natural resources responsibly.”
The Carpathia Fund supports projects and activities in all municipalities around the Făgăraș and Leaota Mountains. The communities supported by the Carpathia Fund include:
Argeș: Dâmbovicioara, Rucăr, Valea Mare Pravăț, Lerești, Domnești, Nucșoara, Arefu, Sălătrucu, Dragoslavele, Stoenești, Cetățeni, Bughea de Sus, Berevoești, Albeștii de Argeș, Mioarele, Mățău
Vâlcea: Perișani, Boișoara, Câineni
Sibiu: Turnu Roșu, Racovița, Avrig, Porumbacu de Jos, Cârțișoara, Arpașu de Jos
Brașov: Ucea, Viștea, Drăguș, Sâmbăta de Sus, Lisa, Recea, Hărseni, Șinca, Șinca Nouă, Făgăraș and Victoria
Dâmbovița: Pucheni, Runcu, Moroeni
Programme objectives
The CARPATHIA Fund aims to support local businesses in implementing projects that bring direct and indirect economic and social benefits to the Făgăraș Mountains. In 2024, the Fund has €50,000 available, with funding for each project ranging from €2,500 to €5,000. Applicants must contribute 10% of the total project budget.
Types of projects eligible for a grant through the CARPATHIA Fund
Projects must cover the following areas of activity:
- Creating nature-based products and services
- Improving conservation communication
- Increasing nature-based skills and employment
- Enhancing nature-friendly business practices
Eligibility criteria for projects
To be eligible, projects must meet strict criteria regarding registration, geographical location, relevance to the thematic areas, and the following:
- Be registered enterprises operating in the Făgăraș Mountains area
- Have a connection with the Făgăraș Mountains and be active in ecotourism (nature-based tourism), food production, or crafts
- Hold the necessary licenses for their activities (operating permit, certificate of establishment, food safety certificate)
- Project duration must not exceed 8 months and must be completed by April 30, 2025
- Address at least one of the four themes mentioned
- Non-deductible VAT is eligible for non-VAT-registered businesses but not for VAT-registered businesses
- Provide a minimum of 10% cash co-financing from the project budget
All eligibility conditions and application details are available in the ‘Grant Guide’.
Application process and timetable
- Launch: 9th July, 2024
- Submission of Project Applications: Applicants should submit application documents to the Conservation Enterprise Department (DAV) team at Foundation Conservation Carpathia at m.petrisor@carpathia.org by 16st August, 2024, at 24:00 pm. Completed documents should include:
- Application form
- Project budget
- Supporting documents (see Annex A to the application form)
- Project Evaluation and Selection: August 2024
- Signing of Financing Contracts: September 2024
- Implementation of Selected Projects: Until April 30, 2025
How to apply
Project applications for funding are open until 16st August, 2024. The application form can be downloaded from here and the budget template from here.
Selected beneficiaries will be involved in an active implementation and reporting process and will be expected to deliver on their commitments and contribute to the success of future funding rounds.
For more details about the Small Grants Programme – CARPATHIA Fund, please contact the Conservation Enterprise Department at m.petrisor@carpathia.org or visit www.carpathia.org.
About the CARPATHIA Fund
The CARPATHIA Fund is a funding mechanism for the development of local communities around the Făgăraș Mountains. It consists of two components: a grant component, dedicated to the development of local communities by funding conservation, social, educational, cultural, sports, and educational projects, and an investment component, launched in July 2024, which is aimed at local small entrepreneurs in the Făgăraș Mountains area.
In 2023, Foundation Conservation Carpathia has invested, through this mechanism, 410,000 Euro in community projects, and in 2024 an investment of more than 1 million Euro is expected.
