Civil organizations received information in Vác about this year’s application period of the National Cooperation Fund (NEA), which starts on October 2. Organizations can now submit claims for HUF three billion more, a total of HUF 14 billion, reports 0627.hu.
The tender budget increased to HUF 14 billion instead of HUF 11 billion – Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Deputy Secretary of State for Civil and Social Relations at the Prime Minister’s Office, pointed out at the press conference before the event. “Furthermore, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Municipal Civil Fund tender is still running, it is a HUF 4.8 billion fund, and you can apply until October 2,” he added.
As he said: Pest county performs excellently. Nearly 6,000 NGOs operate here and the civil network is significant. The County of Pest was able to secure HUF 2.2 billion for civil organizations from the Municipal Civil Fund and the NEA in 2022, and from the NEA in 2023, the deputy state secretary pointed out. According to Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, this is far ahead of the numbers of the other counties.
“There are many organizations with many goals. Some have been operating for a long time. Here in the city, the local civil organizations also organize events that are decades old or almost two decades old and known to everyone. That is why their operation is important. We would like to help these civil organizations that want to do something for the community as much as possible”, said Bence Rétvári, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior.
He added that “there are 54,000 flourishing NGOs in Hungary, and there are half a dozen political advocacy and pressure groups registered as NGOs funded from abroad, which represent foreign interests.” However, the two cannot be equated – stressed Bence Rétvári.
Applications for the 2024 subsidies of the Municipal Civil Fund can be submitted from September 1 to October 2. Organizations can apply for the HUF 4.8 billion budget in five categories: real estate investment or renovation, vehicle purchase, asset purchase, program organization, and support for operational and communication activities. Depending on the category, a maximum amount of HUF 7 to 11 million can be won.
Applications for grants from the National Cooperation Fund can be submitted from October 2. Civil organizations can request a maximum of HUF 4.5 million. In both tender schemes, the subsidies in some categories can also be partially used for overhead compensation.
