The European Union – Brazil Sector Dialogues Support Facility launched last January 31 the 10th Call for Proposals with eight priority topics – Competitiveness; Environmental Dimension of Sustainable Development; Climate Change; Small and Medium Enterprises; Cultural Policies; Energy Policy; Industrial and Regulatory Issues; and Financial Services.

Maria Rosa Sabatelli, member of the Delegation of the European Union in Brazil (DELBRA), pointed out that the choice of priority areas were chosen together with EU partners such as the Ministry of Planning, Development and Management (MP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). "Last year, it was given the possibility to implement specific actions that were part of the Facility. In this 10th Call, we expect the relationship to gain new dynamism by prioritising new topics of interest, such as culture and the environment."

The eligible activities that will receive support from the Facility are the preparation of studies; specialised technical assistance; logistical support for technical missions or participation in events in Brazil or in Europe; logistical support for the organization of events; and production of publications.

Counselor Viviane Rios Balbino, from the Southern European and the European Union (DEMUE) Division of the MRE, recalled that Brazil and the EU have more than 30 institutional dialogues in different sectors, "and this Initiative is an available tool to give concreteness to the initiatives discussed both at the technical level and at the highest political level". "Our specific contribution is a longer-term vision and cohesion of the Brazilian foreign policy in each of the topics."

The Dialogues will contribute up to 600.000 Euros in this new phase, which requires a national counterpart of at least 35% of the total amount allocated that can be made through financial or non-financial resources.

Project proposals must be submitted by the direct beneficiaries of the Facility: bodies and entities of the Brazilian Federal Public Administration and corresponding General Directorates, institutions or agencies of the European Union that participate in the specific Dialogues targeted in this Call.

Luis Felipe Monteiro, Director of the Modernisation Department of Public Management (INOVA) from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Management, explained that the projects sent by the direct beneficiaries should be included in the priority topics, mutually defined between the Brazilian Government and the European Union, within the relevant Sectorial Dialogue. In order to request support for this Initiative, the proposals must also follow up the requirements and schedule defined for the Call.

To assist participants, a Workshop for Proposals will be held on February 26, 2018. This workshop is organised by the National Directorate of the Facility (DN), DELBRA and MRE, with the main goal of guiding the preparation of Concept Notes (pre-proposals) and clarify the methodology for presenting the projects.

Read the complete document with the criteria for the 10th Call here.

To know more about this project see here