A call for proposals for a European Development Fund grant of $162,000 (Euro) available for private sector and civil society projects in Tonga, was launched on Thursday 14 May.

The Ministry of Finance opened the restrictive call for proposals for non-state actors to apply for the grant. The launch at the Moulton Hall was attended by the Minister of Finance Hon ‘Aisake Eke (National Authorising Officer) and representatives from civil society and private sector businesses.

“The grant size amount for this second round of call of proposals is $162,000 (Euro) and the global objective is to build capacity of non-state actors to actively participate in the development of the country, in relation to EU areas of interest of economic development and trade, public finance management, energy and gender policies.”

The Ministry of Finance stated today the call for proposals is under a financing agreement between the Government of Tonga and the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Program.

It focuses to support non state actors with an amount of $82,000 (Euro) and for Private Sector development with $80,000 (Euro).

An information session on the guidelines for the call proposals was held for participants who will apply for grant assistance.The deadline for submission of concept notes is on 18 June 2015.

EU has invested in Tonga's development for many years, and projects have including budget support, infrastructure projects to Vava’u and others.