MATRA Programme

The Netherlands Fund for Regional Partnership (NFRP)-Matra programme for the European region has the following aim: ‘Using Dutch expertise in the areas of democracy, the rule of law and human rights to contribute to social transformation leading to a sustainable stable relationship between government and its citizens, and to invest in our bilateral relationship with these countries and in future partners.’

Matra activities focus on:

  • Democratisation processes;
  • Development of the rule of law;
  • Strengthening public institutions, and
  • Support and development of civil society
  • The NFRP-Matra program works on the basis of six fundamental principles:
  • The NFRP-Matra programme is complementary to EU policy.

The core of a sustainable stable society is formed by a sound and balanced relationship between government and its citizens.

  • The Netherlands has accumulated specific knowledge on democracy, the rule of law and human rights, from which the NFRP-Matra countries can benefit.
  • NFRP-Matra is demand-driven, small-scale and flexible.
  • NFRP-Matra gives Dutch embassies in the involved countries visibility and supports the Netherlands’ bilateral relationship with those countries by strengthening the Dutch information and network position.
  • NFRP-Matra’s effectiveness shall be increased by a region- and country-specific approach in which the embassies fulfil a pivotal role.

For further information, see the letter to Parliament dated 8 January 2016, containing the NFRP-Matra 2016-2020 policy framework.

Matra in Armenia

Through this programme Armenian NGO’s can apply for funding of projects in the field of:

  • Democratization processes;
  • Development of the rule of law;
  • Strengthening public institutions, and
  • Support and development of civil society.

Initiatives

Waste Sorting Project: where waste was sorted in 8 communities of the Armavir Region. Image: ©Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Embassy Yerevan.
  • More effective sectoral service provision in Local self-government communities (LSGs): waste management in Armenian communities
  • Inform, Empower, Act! Civil Society for Good Budgetary Governance in Armenia
  • Enhancement of the Communication Strategy and Professional Media Relations Capacities of the Constitutional Court in Armenia
  • A Helping Hand for New Consolidated Communities
  • Developing Inclusive Oversight of Security-DIOS Armenia