Matthias Scheffelmeier

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐔 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 📣 NEW EPISODE - THE GRANT PODCAST: #112 Municipalities and EU funding w. guest Maibrit Lajgaard Pedersen ❗ The EU Commission is offering a lot of funding opportunities for local authorities and municipalities. And of course a certain amount of entities approach funding each year. However, having worked with facilitating funding for municipalities earlier in my career, I know that many of them shy away from getting engaged. For this there are many reasons – the system seems difficult to approach, the rules are different, the administrative elements are different, a certain level of English is needed etc. But there are also many myths surrounding the EU funding area within the segment of local clerks. All this can be handled and dealt with if you choose to invest a little time in getting acquainted. Vejle Municipality Business Support (DK) some years ago decided to invest time and resources into attracting EU funding. I know, because they are strong partners in my daytime job at Trekantområdet. I therefore invited Business Consultant Maibrit Lajgaard Pedersen from their unit into the virtual podcast studio for a talk about how they are working actively with EU funding in their activities to support the local business environment and how it helps them to be able to do more when they mark up their resources allocated with EU funding. ❗Key take-aways 👉 Investigate the opportunities as municipality – there can be a lot to gain 👉 The rules and administration are not that difficult to deal with 👉  When you get engaged suddenly you will be invited regularly into proposals… 👉 …and will find you and your team involved in excellent international exchange with peers across Europe 👉 Just get started ❗ Direct link to episode:  https://lnkd.in/dv639gbs ❗ Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and check out The Grant universe: www.thegrant.eu/112  #municipalities #funding Marie Latour Kristjan Zemljic Filippo Gagliardi Rita Gil Mata, PhD. Inger E. Strand Karni Georg Melzer Yoram Bar-Zeev Morten Damgaard Nielsen Sarah Gaarde Jens Ejner Christensen Svetlana Myagkova Daiana Huber Christina Achilleos Maria Daniela Angione Esen Kunt Magdalena Bem-Andrzejewska Ilaria Rudisi Runa Monstad Merete Mikkelsen Jeanett Bolther Thomas Jensen Anna Haaland Wittenberg Rasmus Anker-Møller Pirita Lindholm Marianne Lundholt Pernille Holmskov EuroCenter DK NCP Wallonie National Contact Points (NCPs) European Commission EU Science, Research and Innovation European Committee of the Regions ERRIN Vejle Kommune Vejle Erhverv - fælles om erhvervslivet South Denmark European Office dacob

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There is a huge interest in capacity-strengthening programs for local NGOs in Ukraine. First of all, I want to remind everyone that capacity strengthening should happen only when local NGO wants it. It shouldn’t be manipulation and deadlines to develop “policy”. It should be organic growth in speed that is comfortable for this organization. It should be with respect the time that organizations spend on actual response. If you come to them with training, they would probably continue their work at night and during breaks. A second reminder, as we National Network of Local Philanthropy Development wrote in an open letter “If not now, so when?” 2 years ago, “Start learning from us”. Local NGOs have a lot of expertise on how things work for their community, local legislation, and other stuff. Learn from them first to start teaching. I also wrote some other recommendations on how to prepare and what to consider for building capacity-strengthening programs for Ukrainian NGOs. Please follow the link to read more.

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"And So Must We": Feminist Climate Justice and Collective Vision Watching the video essay "And So Must We" felt like a meditation on the urgent need for feminist #ClimateJustice. Directed and produced by Lydia Ayame H. (Union of Justice Fellow), and featuring the powerful voices of Marion Atieno Osieyo (host of the Black Earth Podcast) and Tori Tsui (author of it's not just you). this experimental film goes beyond facts and figures, offering space for reflection, connection, and imagination. The essay explores the intersections of race, gender, and class, and the role of Black feminism in driving the collective vision for climate justice. 🌍 Climate Justice as Feminist Justice: Marion and Tori emphasize that the climate crisis is a product of patriarchal values of hierarchy and extraction. Feminist solutions, rooted in caretaking, reciprocity, and community, are essential to address these challenges. 👩‍🌾 Global Impact on Marginalized Communities: The voices in this video remind us that women and girls in the Global South, particularly those tied to the land, hold key solutions to the climate crisis. Their lived experiences and knowledge hold vital solutions for our collective future. 🌱 Radical Roots of Climate Action: As Tori notes, the word "radical" often sparks fear while it simply means getting to the root. The essay challenges us to imagine alternative futures and embrace a deeper connection to the Earth and one another. This reflective and visually compelling work calls for us to move beyond intellectual debates and toward vision, imagination, and collective action. It's a beautiful reminder that climate justice is not just a struggle—it's also a call to imagine and create something better. 🔗 Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eFE5s3Pv #ClimateJustice #FeministClimateAction #BlackFeminism #EnvironmentalRacism #BlackVoicesinClimate #GlobalSouth #WomeninClimate

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𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 📣 NEW EPISODE - THE GRANT PODCAST: #115 A Kick Off meeting - The WIN4SMES case❗ A milestone that most funded EU projects need to pass is the kick off meeting - the official inauguration of the project and launch of activities. It marks the change from preparing an application and anxious waiting to concrete action and carrying out the work plans sketched out in the proposal preparation phase. I have just been through this process myself. At my daytime job we decided to accept an invitation to join an Erasmus+ proposal last year. So, after handing in our input and budget suggestions, we then waited – like everybody does in this area of EU funding. The project was granted funding and we where all invited for the official kick off meeting in Hamburg in the beginning of April. The WIN4SMES project’s focus is on answering to the massive lack of qualified labor in especially manufacturing SMEs that will hit us in the years to come. Going to the kick off meeting, I had the idea to bring my recording kit without having made previous arrangements with the coordinator. That was a good idea because President Max Hogeforster and Project Manager Anna Maria Czarny from Hanse-Parlament , agreed enthusiastically to do an improvised recording. We of course have a talk about the core project idea, however the core themes of the episode are the practical, official and social functions of a kick off meeting. ❗Key take-aways 👉 Kick off meetings are difficult to plan for the coordinator because of the combination of a lot of formalities, practicalities, work package resumes and other content elements 👉 This means that it is impossible to avoid quite compact agendas which at times can be exhausting 👉 So, creatively the coordinator needs to think of strategies to combine content-heavy elements with lighter social elements to get the balance right 👉 This is important because the kick off meeting sets the tone in the collaboration both in terms of organization, content-wise and socially ❗ Direct link to episode:  https://lnkd.in/dgq75HiW ❗ Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and check out The Grant universe: www.thegrant.eu/115 #kickoffmeeting #funding #projects Eric Voigt Nina Spithost Maryna Popovich John Edwards Monika Stausberg Maëla Barçon Maja D. Henning Klaffke Boudewijn Grievink Sirpa Sandelin Marius Lanskoronskis Sytske Valk Elizabeth Miroshnichenko Gunnar Binda Marianne Lundholt Pernille Holmskov Kristjan Zemljic Filippo Gagliardi Rita Gil Mata, PhD. Georg Melzer-Venturi Yoram Bar-Zeev Svetlana Myagkova Daiana Huber Christina Achilleos Jeanett Bolther Florin Zubascu IBC International Business College Trekantområdet Wroclaw University of Science and Technology Platform Talent voor Technologie NHL Stenden Handicraft Chamber of Ukraine EURASHE European Commission EU Science, Research and Innovation Science|Business

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I delivered a #keynote #speech at a startup competition focused on developing technology for persons with disabilities last Wednesday. Here is one of the five key messages I plan to share during my speech: [Second Message: Be the First] I believe that being "the #first" is more important than being "the #best." The best can change over time, but the first remains forever. The best is the result of competition and effort, while the first is born of imagination and creativity. Right now, we are paving a new path in the field of disability-related startups. To create a society where pesons with disabilities can actively participate, let your imagination and creativity shine—be the first. I anticipated that mobile would become the key tool for accessing information and developed ‘#forApp,’ the world’s first mobile accessibility inspection solution. This solution gained global recognition by winning the ITU Digital World 2021 SME Award, the Solution-Based Social Venture Competition in 2021. The accessibility market is expected to grow further due to Korea's mobile accessibility mandate this year and the European Accessibility Act scheduled to take effect next year. All European products and services will soon be required to comply with accessibility standards.     ‘forApp’ began as the world’s first solution, and now it continues challenging itself to become the best with AI. Are you ready to create change with your first bold step? #ITU #Digital #World #2021 #SME #Award #SCEKorea #에스씨이코리아 #RISeoul #서울시장애인재활협회 #Mobile #Accessibility #모바일 #접근성 #DanielHarkSohn #손학

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 I am honoured to sign onto the “Geneva Pledge for Gender-Responsive Climate Action". The Pledge, which has already seen over 60 endorsements from leaders worldwide uniting decision-makers representing International Organisations, Civil Society Organisations and Permanent Missions, marks a significant step towards integrating gender equality, diversity and inclusion into global climate action initiatives. The endorsement includes six Common Principles for Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Climate Action: 1. Championing Equitable Representation in decision-making 2. Advocating for Gender-Responsive Climate Finance 3. Integrating Strategies and Breaking Down Silos 4. Basing Decisions on Gender-Responsive Analysis and Data 5. Pushing for Legal and Institutional Reforms 6. Promoting a Care Perspective that supports both people and planet I am eager to join fellow signatories in a pledge to drive forward gender-responsive climate action now. #INTGenderChampions #GenevaPledge #GlobalGoalsLocalChange #GrameenInvestsInHerPower #GrameenChangesLives #GrameenEndsPoverty #EndPoverty #InvestInThePowerOfWomen #InvestInTheFutureToday #ExploringPowerDynamics #SAFE #EndingFinancialAbuse #GrameenFoundation #FinancialInclusion #RefugeeFinanceProgram #AccelHERate #InvestInWomenInvestInSolutions

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Ever wondered what the "value of adult immunisation for the sustainability of healthcare systems and economic growth" is? The answer is: 19 (give or take). Every dollar spent generates value worth 19 dollars for patients, healthcare systems and society. This finding, resulting from one of the most comprehensive analyses to date done by our team at the Office of Health Economics, has found a very engaged audience worldwide, including healthcare decision-makers, health policy experts, financial ministers, civil society, and many others. Having spoken with various stakeholders about this result over the past months, it is clear that the most difficult task is NOT to get people excited about the "19". It is to convince decision-makers today to spend the "1". Thanks to the Global Coalition on Aging and GSK for bringing together this panel including Laetitia Agostini Bigger Leonie Westhoff David Sinclair and moderated by Kristina Ostertag. Our next task is clear: finding ways to unlock the "1" that delivers the "19". Link to report: https://lnkd.in/eGPm7ukf

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❓What do Robert Bosch Stiftung and Pope Francis have in common? Both have signed - together with more than 250 other organizations - a letter to the G7, calling to prioritize civil society peacebuilding at the upcoming G7 summit in Italy: “For peace to last it must be built from the ground-up. Yet, every previous round of Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy has lacked a “bottom-up” strategy. To ensure the success of any diplomatic initiative, top-down negotiations among leaders must be matched this time by a peacebuilding process at the societal level between Israelis and Palestinians, even more critical now considering the trauma and polarization from the unprecedented violence of past months.” The initiative is led by our amazing partner Alliance for Middle East Peace - ALLMEP. Join us in spreading the word and demanding support for peace in Israel and Palestine ☮ #PeacebuildingPersists #G7

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in preparation for my official talks in #Acre, I met with the indigenous council CIMI to hear their main concerns and inform them about Austria's three-part partnership approach to a new eco-social development model for the northern region of 🇧🇷: - articulating indigenous women's rights; - articulating the right to sustainable urban planning and decent housing; and - conducting an international academic discourse on comparative constitutional law concerning indigenous land rights. Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (MFA Austria) ReFocus Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (Funai)

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What is the link between socio-cultural centres, just sustainability transitions, lawnmowers and meadows, and regenerative futures? Check in today at 12 to figure out! I will try to make the connections above in a 10-minute talk, as a small appetizer to the real content of the session: a presentation and discussion of the research carried out by the European Network of Cultural Centres and summarized in an excellent report led by Anna Maria Ranczakowska - on the roles of socio-cultural centres in Europe in Just Sustainability Transitions. Or, to put the question slightly differently: how do we bridge the gap between the deep past, the hectic efficiency-absorbed present, and a future that recognizes that meadows are not lawns, forests are not plantations, and societies can not be felt through KPIs, strategic goals, or targeting plans? Join in at 12, and continue the discussion here, at your workplace, in your local community center, or between old oaks.

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My brief op-ed on Yuval Noah Harari and Daron Acemoglu for a broad audience in Germany, published in FOCUS, one of Germany's leading news magazines. The Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari and the newly awarded U.S. Nobel laureate in economics, Daron Acemoglu, are shaping the intellectual debates of our time. Political scientist Berthold Kuhn analyzes which of the two offers the better answers to the pressing questions of the present.... Despite the intellectual depth of both thinkers, a significant blind spot remains in their analyses: the economic rise of China and India. Over 50 percent of global economic growth now comes from these two countries, yet neither Harari nor Acemoglu addresses this development comprehensively... Anyone seeking to understand the future must also grapple with the multipolar reordering of the global economy. Harari and Acemoglu remain influential figures in the intellectual landscape, but the global megatrends and the challenges of a digital, globalized world call for new answers—and new voices.   https://lnkd.in/eXJthKVC (headline provided by the FOCUS editorial team)

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𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 📣 NEW EPISODE - THE GRANT PODCAST: #111 Contract negotiations - The Implementation Series (1)❗ If anyone forgot or should not be aware: The Grant is on a mission. To make it easier for everybody to navigate in the world of EU R&D funding. That is what started it all and that is what is driving me forward. It started with The Timeline Series breaking down the proposal preparation process into bits. Now follows the natural continuation: The Implementation Series. The Implementation Series will look at every single element of managing an EU funded project. From contract negotiation to consortium agreement, from administration to interim and final reporting, from milestones and deliverables to handling when the troubles hit. I start out with the first thing that happens when you receive the best email in the world confirming the project has been funded: The contract negotiations. I have allied myself with friend of The Grant house, independent grants consultant Georg Melzer-Venturi, who have been through this process many times. Here is all you need to know preparing yourself for the contract negotiations. ❗Key take-aways: 👉 Connect with the Project Officer as soon as possible to plant the seeds for a good collaboration – it’s vital 👉 Four words for the negotiations: be competent, prepared, fair and polite 👉 And don’t be a wise guy or cocky 👉 Involve the consortium and make sure all are onboard the eventual changes in the activities, budget or deliverables ❗ Direct link to episode:  https://lnkd.in/dH8DhbdB ❗ Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and check out The Grant universe: www.thegrant.eu/111 #contractnegotiations #projectimplementation Marie Latour Kristjan Zemljic Gabriella Lovasz Auvertin (Bagdoniene) Sigita Filippo Gagliardi Rita Gil Mata, PhD. Inger E. Strand Karni Agnes Zoller, PhD Yoram Bar-Zeev Ana Sutcliffe Svetlana Myagkova Daiana Huber Christina Achilleos Maria Daniela Angione Alessia Melasecche Germini Esen Kunt Dieter Brigitta Ewa Kocinska-Lange Ilaria Rudisi Merete Mikkelsen Jeanett Bolther EuroCenter DK NCP Wallonie National Contact Points (NCPs) Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, FECYT NCP Brussels your contact for Horizon Europe European Commission EU Science, Research and Innovation foRMAtion - RMA RM ROADMAP

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🌍 **Key Messages from the Regional Advocacy Network #HelvetasEasternEurope at the CSO24 Berlin Process Forum** 🌍 During the recent CSO24 Berlin Process Forum, we highlighted crucial insights drawn from our broad network, including experiences from our forefront projects ACT, PRAGG, and RECONOMY 🌐. Here are our key messages: 1. As authoritarian tendencies rise and democratic values decline in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, civil society organizations (CSOs) are flourishing 📈. Montenegro has 103 CSOs per 10,000 residents, while Albania boasts 43. Yet, the collaboration between civil society and the private sector remains largely untapped, with opportunities for growth beyond just corporate social responsibility. 2. The EU's efforts to uphold the rule of law have improved the consultation process within the policy cycle. Initiatives like Investment Councils showcase effective collaboration among government, academia, and civil society. However, we must strive for more meaningful consultations, especially in the implementation and evaluation phases. Engaging in social auditing and investigative journalism can plug significant gaps, as key decisions are often made too swiftly without thorough discussion. 3. Grassroots movements are gaining momentum, as citizens advocate for environmental and social issues. Noteworthy successes are seen in Serbia through ACT and in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the PRAGG project. By connecting these grassroots efforts with organized CSOs, we can shift from merely claiming space to driving systemic change. Utilizing clear language and partnering with local media are effective strategies for mobilization. Let's harness the power of collaboration between civil society, the private sector, and academia. Together, we can drive meaningful change and advocate for a stronger, more democratic future! ✊ #CSO24Berlin #RegionalAdvocacy #CivilSociety #Collaboration #Democracy #HelvetasEasternEurope

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The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is happening soon in Geneva, bringing together representatives from 191 #NationalSocieties and 196 States. This conference is a crucial opportunity for collaboration, focusing on #humanitarianchallenges such as: - Compliance with #internationalhumanitarianlaw - Protection of civilians - Sustainable, locally-led #humanitarianaction - Climate resilience - The role of disaster law - Impact of #digitaltech in warfare It’s a unique, apolitical platform for humanitarians and governments to come together, find solutions, and help those in need. Check the below link for more details 👇 & Stay tuned for impactful outcomes !!!

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#Resilience #Rural #Climate Change Considering the dramatically evolving climate crisis and high exposure and sensitivity to hazards and stressors typically found in rural communities, the Reinforcing Rural Resilience (RRR) project, supported by the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) and implemented by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), is a powerful case of what can be achieved in a relatively short timeframe. Implemented between July 2021 and June 2024. The project focussed on the Gaibandha and Kurigram districts of Bangladesh and reached a population of 235,200 across 88 communities. The well-targeted and needs-based interventions of the project contributed to substantially raised levels of resilience in its target communities. Thus, on the resilience radar, the overall resilience score increased from a medium-level 0.493 in 2021 to a high-level 0.795 in 2024. This means the average score increased by 61.3% — a gain almost twice as high as that achieved by the previous project. The strong resilience scores were mirrored in all resilience stars . It is expected that the project outcomes are mostly sustainable, thanks to a strong level of process ownership, needs-based interventions, and a strong focus on capacity development and connectedness. Based on the Learning of this project BDRCS-SRC is in the process of developing new program titled Joint Actions for Mitigating Climate Uncertainties and Natural Adversities (JAMUNA) where the key consideration would be to retain many aspects that have proven to be effective and extend its portfolio to include a broad suite of adaptation options. With the dramatically increasing climate impact (observed and predicted), the quest to adapt is a matter of urgency that must be applied at scale. Links: • RRR project evaluation: https://lnkd.in/gPHTWsx5 • https://lnkd.in/gutiMh_D • Jamuna baseline: https://lnkd.in/g75ktTe3

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💥 What if resources weren't wasted, but cherished? Local resource use is a cornerstone of #Ecovillages. The European Green Deal can promote this to reduce waste and our environmental footprint. How can we encourage a more mindful approach to resource use in your area? . #LocalFirst | #Sustainability | #EuropeanGreenDeal | Joyce | #AncestralWisdom

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𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭 📣 NEW EPISODE - THE GRANT PODCAST: #137 Periodic reporting (part 1)❗ Reporting to the EU Commission in a funded project is an art in itself. From the face of it, it looks like a fairly simple part of implementing a project, but of course it is not. The complexity of implementing the projects combined with the number of partners and being on top of regulation and formalities all adds to this task being something that anybody should prepare solidly for. In The Implementation Series I give everybody input, information and critical mass on how to carry out an EU funded project. This week and the next the wonderful Serena Cogoni, Horizon Europe Expert, takes us all through the in’s and out’s of periodic reporting. This week we zoom in on what is exactly the requirements of periodic reporting, how to prepare yourself and your administrative systems and finally Serena runs through the first periodic reporting itself. Exactly what you need if you are implementing an EU project! ❗Key take-aways ⭐ Give early instructions to the partners on how and when ⭐ Consider reporting a continuous work and responsibility – this will ease many things ⭐ You have to sit on many people’s heads to get your feedback… ❗ Direct link to episode:  https://lnkd.in/d6nfnkaJ ❗ Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and check out The Grant universe: www.thegrant.eu/137-138  #funding #projects Kristjan Zemljic Filippo Gagliardi Rita Gil Mata, PhD. Georg Melzer-Venturi Agnes Zoller, PhD Yoram Bar-Zeev Svetlana Myagkova Daiana Huber Christina Achilleos Maria Daniela Angione Esen Kunt Ilaria Rudisi Jeanett Bolther Prakriti Archambeau Isabel Burdallo, PhD Amy Radlberger Stephanie Harfensteller Elena Calzado Roldán Amy Murphy Antonio M. Ortiz, PhD

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Proud of this effort to engage with funders who have signaled that they support locally led development, but still have a ways to go in walking the talk. As do we all. So let's do it together. What you can do: ☑ Read the joint letter: https://bit.ly/4dQEW8J ☑ Endorse it if you can. ☑ Add your voice in the comments. What are other practical actions already happening where funders can support and collaborate? How can we hold each other accountable?

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