Matra Government to Government – Matra G2G

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), please be aware that 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 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 development in 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 for your subsidy application will take a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 years. The project must start within 6 months of the application's approvals to 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. Submit a quick scan

To apply for the subsidy, all applicants must first submit a mandatory quick scan including their project plan or idea. The deadline for submitting a quick scan was 2 July 2024, 12:00 CEST (noon). Have you submitted a quick scan? Within 4 weeks, you will receive a non-binding recommendation on your project idea. 

Step 2. Submit a subsidy application

Have you completed the mandatory quick scan and received a non-binding recommendation from us? If so, you can submit a subsidy application.

The start date for submission is 30 July 2024. The deadline is Tuesday, 29 October 2024, 12:00 CET (noon). Please make sure that your application is complete. We only assess complete applications 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.

Calendar

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.