BD100,000 for NGOs
Ministry invites welfare projects
About BD100,000 aid would be given to NGOs for their social development projects.
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Fatima Al Belushi, told the Press yesterday that the allocation would be made from the ministry’s special Social Security Fund.
The fund would select the best projects. The NGOs registered with the ministry should submit proposals to the ministry until October-end. The approved programmes would be announced in November.
Dr Al Belushi said the projects would be evaluated by social and financial experts in Bahrain and abroad. The grant could reach BD20,000.
BD100,000 for NGOs
Ministry invites welfare projects
About BD100,000 aid would be given to NGOs for their social development projects.
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Fatima Al Belushi, told the Press yesterday that the allocation would be made from the ministry’s special Social Security Fund.
The fund would select the best projects. The NGOs registered with the ministry should submit proposals to the ministry until October-end. The approved programmes would be announced in November.
Dr Al Belushi said the projects would be evaluated by social and financial experts in Bahrain and abroad. The grant could reach BD20,000.
“To ensure fair evaluation, the names of the NGOs would be removed from their entries. The projects focusing on citizens’ welfare or for the benefit of Bahrain would be given priority,” the minister said.
The fund would be operational soon under a board comprising representatives from the private sector.
“The service is part of the ministry’s keenness on supporting NGOs in their initiatives to help address social problems. We want to provide all possible guidance and financial assistance to help them achieve their goals,” she said.
Dr Al Belushi said the government was also increasing the social budget. The annual assistance had never exceeded BD2,000 in the past years, she said.
The minister urged societies with similar goals to join forces and launch joint projects which could be granted aid. “We are looking forward to receiving creative projects.”
As the new societies established within the last 12 months are not eligible for the grant, the ministry would accept their projects if they join older societies. The ministry would also accept projects from charity funds irrespective of donation and assistance they have been receiving from individuals and companies.
The minister said the private sector would be motivated to contribute to the fund so that more and more societies could benefit from the grant. The BD100,000 assistance is not enough for major projects, she said.
Dr Al Belushi assured that the societies would have freedom to implement their projects but the NGOs could seek guidance. “The ministry would cover 70 per cent of the project cost and the rest should be borne by the NGOs and the private sector.”
She reiterated the ministry’s support for all projects and said the government would offer all possible help.
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper- www.BahrainTribune.com
