Matra Government to Government - Matra G2G
Do you represent a civil society organisation or knowledge institute based in the Netherlands? Are you interested in working with the Netherlands government and (semi)government organisations to help strengthen the rule of law, democracy and good governance in neighbouring European Union (EU) countries? If so, apply for a subsidy from the Matra Government to Government programme. The programme is closed for applications at this time.
Budget and application period
What is the Matra Government to Government subsidy programme?
Matra G2G provides subsidies for projects that strengthen the capacity of government and semi-government institutions. It also focuses on building stronger relationships between the Netherlands and the target countries.
These projects expand and enhance their knowledge and skills in
- the pluralistic rule of law, justice and law enforcement;
- adhering to and applying international human rights standards;
- freedom of the media;
- good governance.
For whom
The subsidy programme is for Dutch organisations working with government organisations to transfer their knowledge and skills to government and semi-government institutions in the target countries.
Do you represent a civil society organisation or knowledge institution based in the Netherlands? If so, you can apply for a subsidy from this programme. You can do this independently or as a lead party on behalf of a partnership.
Budget and duration
Matra G2G is a 5-year programme that runs from 2025 until the end of 2029.
- The total budget is €7.5 million.
- The programme has one application round.
- Per application, you can apply for a minimum of €500,000 and a maximum of €2,000,000 in funding.
Target countries
The following countries can get support from the Matra G2G subsidy programme:
- Countries preparing for EU membership: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine;
- Countries in the Eastern Partnership with a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement: Armenia.
Your project can cover more than one target country. Or, you can include regional cooperation. If you select one of these options, your choice must be well-substantiated in your application. What is the value added by such an approach?
Terms and conditions
Your activities must involve cooperation with at least one Netherlands government or semi-government institution. It would help if you also involved local civil society organisations and knowledge institutions.
As an organisation, you can receive funding for up to 3 projects. If your organisation submits more than 3 applications (as a lead party, a partner or a third party), we will consider the 3 best applications for funding. You cannot apply for a subsidy for activities you have already received full or partial funding for.
Also, your subsidy application must meet the following conditions and project goals.
Project aims
Primary goals
Your project should primarily focus on:
- transferring substantive expertise and skills to local government or semi-government institutions by one or more Dutch government or semi-government institutions;
- strengthening the effectiveness of government or semi-government institutions in carrying out their duties and responsibilities.
Secondary goal
Your project should also improve the relationship between the Netherlands and the target countries. You can achieve this by having the Dutch government and other governments cooperate and communicate about the project in both locations.
Activities
Examples of activities in a Matra G2G project include:
- training courses, seminars and workshops;
- institutional analyses or analyses of legislation;
- study visits and research missions;
- advice on and support for the development of legislation, regulations, strategies, policies, implementation techniques and strategies or pilot projects.
You can also get funding for activities that raise the profile of projects in target countries.
Duration of the project
The project that forms the basis of your subsidy application must take a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 years. The project must start within 6 months of approval of the application.
How to apply for a Matra G2G subsidy
You need eHerkenning level 3 to apply for a subsidy via eLoket. Make sure you register for eHerkenning in time. Then, follow the steps below.
Step 1. Mandatory quick scan
To apply for a subsidy, all applicants had to submit a mandatory quick scan, including their project idea. The deadline was 2 July 2024, 12:00 CEST (noon).
Step 2. Submit a subsidy application
The deadline for submitting a subsidy application was Tuesday, 29 October 2024 at 12:00 CET (noon).
Checklist for your application
Please make sure you have the following information ready:
- Your quick scan reference number;
- Your Dutch Chamber of Commerce registration number;
- Your name and address details;
- Your bank details;
- Project title;
- Budget and subsidy amount;
- Start and end date of the project;
- Completed attachments (see required documents below);
Reference documents
Required application documents
You must upload several documents with your subsidy application in eLoket. You can download them below. Please complete them in English.
Following your application
We will assess your subsidy application after the 29 October 2024 deadline. We can only grant subsidies after we have assessed all subsidy applications.
You will hear whether your application has been approved by 28 January 2025. If your application is eligible for a subsidy, you can start carrying out your project. The subsidy will be paid in advance instalments.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Below are frequently asked questions about the Matra G2G Administrative Rules.
1. Does the word 'adjudication' or judgment refer to the entire criminal justice chain involving investigators, prosecutors and judges?
Yes.
2. What does the word 'local' mean?
In one of the Matra target countries.
3. Are activities that strengthen investigation, prosecution and adjudication at the national level eligible?
Yes. Activities at the national level are eligible, such as those at a central war crimes department.
1. Can projects in countries other than Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Türkiye and Serbia focus on the following?
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Local trials of war criminals;
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Cooperation with international tribunals;
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Transitional justice in the form of truth-finding;
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Reconciliation; and
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Compensation?
No. Projects in the other Matra target countries may not focus on incorporating and implementing international standards on criminal law, such as:
- The local judgement of war criminals;
- Cooperation with international tribunals; or
- Transitional justice (establishing the truth, reconciliation and compensation).
However, in all Matra target countries, projects may focus on incorporating and implementing international standards on human rights.
2. Can projects in countries other than Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye focus on the local investigation, prosecution and adjudication of suspects accused of international crimes?
No. Only projects in the Western Balkan pre-accession countries and Türkiye may focus on these topics. Please also see question 2.1.
What type of collaboration does Matra allow with an international civil society organisation's local office that:
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is locally registered;
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mainly employs local employees; and
-
has an international director?
That depends on the local office's legal personality.
Does the office have its own legal personality? And is it legally established in one of the Matra target countries? If so, then this organisation can be a Matra G2G project partner. The Administrative Rules state, "A local civil society organisation (CSO) is a CSO that is legally established in one of the target countries."
Is it a branch office of an international CSO? So, not a separate entity, but a country office without a separate legal personality? Then, it depends on the country where the international CSO is legally established. This country must be a Matra target country. If the CSO is established outside a Matra target country, its branch office or department cannot be a project partner or member. Project partners can still hire this office for project activities ('third-party costs').
Laws and regulations
- Government Gazette Matra G2G 2025 - 2029 publication, 14 May 2024 (official publication in Dutch).
- Government Gazette Matra G2G 2020 - 2024 publication, 13 September 2019 (official publication in Dutch).
Background information
Matra Government to Government (Matra G2G) is an NFRP-Matra sub-programme. NFRP-Matra supports countries that are candidates or potential candidates for EU memberships. It also supports Eastern Partnership countries. The programme focuses on countries that border the European Union. The Netherlands aims to help strengthen their democracy and the rule of law. More robust democracy and the rule of law will bring these countries more stability.
RVO also carries out the Matra Rule of Law training programme (RoLT). Through RoLT, officials from Matra countries can take short training courses in the Netherlands. These courses cover highly relevant topics such as the rule of law and democracy.
For more information on the RoLT training courses, see the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) website.
Questions about Matra G2G?
Would you like more information, or do you have any questions for our advisors?
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
