The European Union (EU) and Botswana government is today (Wednesday) expected to give local Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) a cash boost by awarding grants that will help the sector carry out its activities.
Under the programme supported by the government of Botswana and the EU, 14 successful NGOs will share money amounting to P6.8 million.
The European Union is financing the Non-State Actors Capacity Building Programme (NSA CBP) in the framework of development cooperation with the Government of Botswana and it will conclude this year.
The Programme launched in 2008 is being implemented through two components namely the Capacity Building and Grant Scheme.
 Under the Grant Scheme Component, the programme has supported Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to access funds and implement various projects benefiting community members in different parts of the country.
In December 2010, 14 successful applicants to the Large Grants Call for Proposals 2010 were approved with a value of P6.8 million. The recent approval brings the total number of grant projects approved to 78 spread throughout the country. 
The first call, which was the Small Grant Call under the programme was made in 2009.
The Delegation of the European Union to Botswana and the Government of Botswana, will present grants to the 14 successful grantees.
The ceremony will be graced by the Head of the European Delegation to Botswana Ambassador Paul Malin and a representative from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
The programme is aimed at providing non-state actors in Botswana with skills, capacity and financial resources that can enhance their meaningful and effective contribution to development processes.
The non-state actors who are benefiting from the programme include civil society organisations (CSOs) such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and other non-profit organisations economic focused organisations like employer and professional organisations and trade unions, associated networking and umbrella organisations, research institutions and private sector organisations.
