FVO Partnerships
FVO Partnerships pillar 1 is a grant programme aimed to support companies that wish to gain insight into Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) risks within their international value chain. In this context, the programme supports partnerships between companies and civil society organizations with the objective of setting up multi-stakeholder projects to identify and tackle RBC risks or misconduct and boost the sustainability of the value chain in the producer countries. FVO Partnerships is a programme of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is managed by RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
The programme is open from 4 February 2020 until 30 September 2020. FVO works on a first come, first served basis, which means that assessment will be conducted based on the order in which the completed applications are received.
For each project, a subsidy can be awarded to reimburse a maximum of 70% of the eligible project costs, up to a maximum of €475,000.
The programme targets companies that are seeking to make their value chain(s) more sustainable in one or more producer countries and focus on one or more of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, such as human rights, employee rights or the environment. Companies may apply for a subsidy for the following types of projects:
- Project A: Local or regional impact analysis – in-depth research into the causes of RBC risks or misconduct on site or within the company or companies.
- Project B: Activities to address the above-identified RBC risks and misconduct within the international value chain or chains, in conjunction with due diligence measures within the company or companies.
Companies may apply for a subsidy for both Projects A and Project B. Applying only for Project B, is possible when research similar to Project A has already been conducted, in consultation with RVO.
At the very least, a partnership must consist of two companies, one civil society organization (NGO or trade union) and one local business in the target country. In the last two years, the applicant must have achieved turnover of at least €500,000 (applicable to companies) or an annual budget of €500,000 (applicable to civil society organizations). The applicant needs to be a Dutch company or civil society organization or a foreign company with a permanent office in the Netherlands.
The programme is open to projects focusing on countries specified in the List of Recipients of Official Development Assistance (pdf)
The application procedure consists of the following steps:
- Optional: Noncommittal orientation interview with an RVO advisor to be requested via email or phone
- Mandatory quick scan form to determine whether a company is eligible for a subsidy, followed by the RVO advisory procedure
- Risk Assessment: Analyse the RBC risks or transgressions within the value chain or chains, as well as the internal business processes that may be contributing to RBC risks or transgressions
- Full application (after receiving advice from RVO advisor) for Project A
- Only when Project A is fully executed and approved by RVO, a company can apply for Project B (if the company has already done an impact assessment it can apply directly for Project B in consultation with RVO)
Why work with Advance Consulting?
Advance Consulting has developed several successful applications for clients to receive funding from programmes managed by RVO. We can guide and help you, from the initial assessment of your project idea up to the approval of the FVO application. Contact info@advanceconsulting.nl for further information on the programme.