Read the following points carefully before submitting a project:
EDUCATION
Programmes supported cover a number of activities related to education and schooling, specifically: teaching development activities aimed at literacy work, inclusion and the prevention of early withdrawal from education; personal and social education projects, concerning social, psychological and educational support for children, youth and adults; operational support for facilities, school buildings and training centres construction needed for the implementation of educational projects.
WORK
Programmes sustained in this area concern activities supporting employment, such as internships, work placements and vocational training courses. The aim is that of providing both technical and organisational skills, and personal and social abilities required to enter or re-enter the labour market.
We pursue programmes led by organisations that have been operating competently for years, with a focus on the individual, seeking out new and increasingly effective procedures in the training process. Fondazione San Zeno dedicates particular attention to initiatives targeting people in difficult situations as vulnerable women, young drop-outs or those living under some forms of detention or restricted liberty. Programmes in which work becomes a tool to prevent social hardship, to reintegrate and to build personal independence.
Non-profit organisations of any kind and of any geographical origin can apply for funding. Fondazione San Zeno, while maintaining long-term relations with some organizations, does welcome new project proposals and guarantees equal access and care throughout the evaluation process to all.
We give priority to project/proposals undertaking initiatives:
- concerning education and work, our main areas of intervention;
- lasting several years;
- developed in geographical settings where Fondazione San Zeno is already present;
- submitted by organisations with at least two years’ experience.
When evaluating an application, we conduct a careful analysis, preserving the flexibility of a private foundation.
About the applicant , we examine the following information: corporate bodies, by-law and articles of association, financial statements and collaborations; role and competence in the sector in which it operates; experience gained; vision and strategy in the country and sector of intervention.
About the proposals, we investigate the following information: the project logic, adequacy of the tools and activities provided to meet a goal; efficiency and pertinence of the financial plan; participative sharing with local actors; sustainability. No emphasis is placed on eligible costs and the level of funding itself shall depend on how complex the project is and on the number of organisations involved in its implementation. There are therefore no upper or lower limits for funding applications.
Fondazione San Zeno receives hundreds of applications for grant support, not all of which can be funded.
Funding of grants is limited, and submission of an application - even if it meets our stated criteria - does not guarantee that a grant will be made to your organization.
Meetings and site visits are conducted during the pre-evaluation process, while the project is implemented and after the completion of the intervention.
This approach leads to an in-depth, systematic and objective knowledge of the project and it is an opportunity to dialogue with the actors involved.
On the field monitoring plays a key role in the evaluation process. It is essential to delve further into the context where the project is carried out and to analyse feasibility and sustainability of the actions supported. The attempt is to understand external dynamics, critical issues and strengths.
Therefore, evaluation and monitoring become crucial activities to understand how the financial initiative slots into a process of real change.
These two stages together form a consolidated systematic observation procedure.
Fondazione San Zeno has chosen not to operate through calls for proposals.
Organizations can submit their application throughout the year.
Payments are understood as co-funding or as total coverage of project costs.
You can submit a proposal by filling the online form at the bottom of this page.
Fondazione San Zeno reserves the right to evaluate requests for funding.
If the project is deemed of interest, you will be further asked to submit a full proposal on dedicated forms.
Once the Board of Directors has granted eligibility for funding, payments are released according to a timeframe agreed on with the grantee organisation.
Periodical Financial and narrative reporting is required and agreed with the grantee organisation, according to the project timeframe.
By when do I have to submit a project? Are there any deadlines for submitting a project?
An organisation can submit a project at any time of the year.
Fondazione San Zeno does not usually operate via calls for proposals and will accept project proposal throughout the year.
What documents do I need to submit?
To submit your application please access the online form at the bottom of this page. During the completion stages you will have the possibility to save the document and to download the final version as a pdf.
What happens once I’ve sent the project?
You will receive an answer in either case by email within 5 weeks. If the initiative submitted is consistent with the activities and areas of interest, then you will be then contacted by the Foundation and asked to formalise your full application, providing further details.
Within 6 months from the submission of all these materials you will be notified by email if the project has or has not been granted the requested funding.
During the evaluation process, on site visits and/or meetings might be requested if deemed appropriate by Fondazione San Zeno.
My association was established this year. Can I submit a project?
When analysing the projects, we give precedence to projects submitted by organisations that have been set up for at least two years.
What kind of organisations can propose a project?
Non-profit public or private organisations or associations.
Physical persons may not apply.
Can a school submit a project?
Proposals presented by schools will be taken into consideration.
Precedence will be given to initiatives submitted by group of school and/or schools favouring local network agreements.
What are the main sectors of intervention?
Education, training and work, according to the detailed information contained in the description of the areas of intervention.
Will projects related to areas other than education and work be taken into consideration?
Education and work are the main areas of intervention and priority will be given to these projects.
Does Fondazione San Zeno fund projects abroad?
Yes. The foundation operates both at national and international level. At International level we give precedence to interventions in areas where the Foundation already supports other initiatives/projects.
What is the evaluation time for a project?
Within 5 weeks of submission.
If the initiative presented falls within the activities of action and interest, Fondazione San Zeno will ask you to formalise the application for funding on the appropriate forms and send further details. Within 6 months of receiving these materials, you will be informed by email whether the submitted application has been deemed eligible for funding by Fondazione San Zeno.
What is the amount of the grant I can apply for?
What is a typical grant size? There are no upper or lower limits when it comes to the application for funding. This depends on the size of the organization, on how complex the project is and on the number of partners involved in its implementation. The Foundation will check the appropriateness of the costs and efficiency of the actions.
Does Fondazione San Zeno fund an entire project?
Yes, we might envisage total cost coverage.
However, we give precedence to projects which provide a clear sustainability strategy, which includes fundraising activities and public/private partnerships.
