What is ICMPS
The Embassy of Ireland has funds from the In-country Micro Project Scheme of Irish Aid available to assist NGOs in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The scheme is focussed on projects that tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice.
Priority is given to sustainable projects.
The objectives of the In-country Micro Project Scheme are to prevent hunger, improve access to essential services, empower women and marginalised communities, social justice, help local communities advocate for themselves and to combat climate change.
Eligibility
What projects are eligible for ICMPS?
The scheme is focused on projects that tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice. Priority is given to sustainable projects.
Geographical Priority: Due to modest resource allocation for Irish Aid program in the country, the priority focus is on Delhi NCR. Secondary focus is on Orissa.
Thematic Sectors: The primary thematic focus will be on Basic Education, Primary Health Care (Maternal and new born health care) and secondary focus on Micro-enterprise Development, Water and Sanitation, and Training and Capacity Building towards good governance and HIV/AIDS.
Most successful projects cross cut a number of issues.
Types of grant
Size of grants and Budget aspects: The maximum ceiling for funding is 70% of project costs, 30% must be covered by the NGO or other donors. The maximum monetary amount is €26,000 per year. The grant will be decided on a case to case basis. Projects are funded for a maximum of three years.
Duration: The duration of grants approved under the scheme is between 1 and 3 years.
Application process
The scheme is administered by the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi.
India
The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (Government of India) must give their approval before funding can be granted.
Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka
Prior approval from the central bank may be required before funds can be released.
All applicants
A visit is arranged before funding is considered. Funded projects are inspected and audited regularly to ensure funds are used properly. Successful projects will work closely with the Embassy of Ireland and Irish Aid on all reviews.
Application Procedure
Applicants should send a short proposal by e-mail. The maximum length is 500 words.
If the project is suitable, they will be requested to complete a more detailed proposal form. We cannot engage in detailed discussions with unsuccessful projects.
Applicants will only be contacted if they are successful. If you do not receive a response, your application has not been successful. We cannot engage with detailed discussion with unsuccessful applicants. Applications will not be discussed over the phone.
What we can't fund
There are some projects which we cannot fund such as:
- Welfare support(s) and that are not sustainable
- Individual or family support.
- Major infrastructural schemes
- Educational scholarships
- Projects that involve evangelization for the proselytizing of religious beliefs.
- Retrospective Expenditure (i.e. cost incurred prior to the date of submission of the application)
- International Travel.
- Emergency projects that are in response to natural or human disasters.
We can only fund organisations in India which meet the following criteria:
- NGOs must be registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA1976/amended 2010).
- NGO’s registration and mandatory reports with FCRA department must be up to date
- Previous project experience
- References must be provided
- All organisations which have contact with young children and vulnerable adults must provide a child protection policy setting out the procedures to be followed and safeguards in place