Fund Operator for the Social Dialogue and Decent Work programme under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028

Through the Norway Grants, Norway works closely with partners in 13 EU Member States in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltic States, to contribute to the reduction of social and economic disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. Support to social dialogue and decent work has been a key priority for the Norway Grants since 2004. The Agreement between Norway and the European Union on the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (2021-2028) sets aside €14,640,000 for a fund for social dialogue and decent work.

The Social Dialogue and Decent Work Fund (SDDW Fund) is made available to actors in all the Norway Grants Beneficiary States, to strengthen social dialogue between workers’ organisations, employers’ organisations and public authorities and promote decent work. The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) is the Brussels-based secretariat for the Norway Grants. The FMO is affiliated to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and reports to the Foreign Ministry of Norway.

The decision-making body of the Norway Grants is the Foreign Ministry of Norway. The FMO has been entrusted with the role of Programme Operator (PO) of the SDDW Fund. The role of the PO is to select and contract the Fund Operator, monitor compliance with the legal framework of the SDDW Fund and follow up on the progress and quality of fund implementation.

With the present invitation to bid, the FMO is seeking a Fund Operator (FO) to manage the SDDW Fund on its behalf. The FO, selected through an open tender procedure and directly contracted by the FMO, shall be responsible for managing the SDDW Fund and contribute to its objectives through open calls for proposals, selecting and contracting projects, providing capacity-building support, and other Fund activities. Further information about the programme and the role of Fund Operator can be found at https://sddw.norwaygrants.org