Who can participate in the call for projects?
Recognised non-profit associations legally registered in the UK, established for at least two years, with a founding act, a statute outlining their non-profit purpose, and an active website and/or Facebook page.

Which countries can my association participate in?
Your association can apply for the Call for Projects only in the country where it is legally registered. For example, if your association is registered in the United Kingdom, it can only participate in calls there. This rule applies to all participating countries. Submitting a project in a different country, even if your association operates or collaborates there, is not permitted.

Can I submit multiple projects in the same country?
No, each association may submit only one project.

Can I submit the same project in multiple countries?
No, an association can only apply for project calls in the country where it is legally registered. Submitting the same project in multiple countries is not permitted.

Is there a participation fee or any other associated costs?
No, there is no cost to participate in the call for projects.

What types of projects are eligible?
The following are eligible:
New projects that have not yet started but have obtained the necessary authorisations.
Ongoing projects that require additional funding to be completed.
Projects must align with the specified areas of intervention in the call for projects.

My association is based in one of the countries where the call is published, but the project will take place in another country that is not included in the call. Can we participate?
Yes, as long as your association is legally registered in one of the countries where the call is active, it can submit a project to be carried out in another country not included in the call.

What is the deadline for my association to submit its project?
You can submit your project until 3rd June 2025.

How are projects selected?
Project selection occurs in two steps:
Evaluation and selection by an international panel of experts appointed by Almo Nature.
Online public voting by users on the REcommunity platform.

What criteria will the panel use to select projects?
The panel selects projects based on their alignment with the call’s objectives, feasibility, and the tangible impact they will have on the welfare of dogs and cats.

When will I know if my association’s project has been selected by the panel?
You will know if your project has been selected on 17th July 2025, when the chosen projects will be published on the platform for the public voting phase.

What happens if an association that has received funding does not comply with the proposed project timeline?
If the timeline is not adhered to, Almo Nature may suspend further disbursement of funds and reclaim any funds already allocated.

Can projects involve collaboration with other organisations?
Yes, it is possible to indicate partners and describe their roles in the project.

When will the selected projects be announced?
The announcement of the awarded projects will be made on 20th October 2025.

If my project is selected for funding, what are the deadlines for starting and completing it?
The project must be completed in accordance with the timeline agreed upon at the time of signing the Agreement. It must begin no later than three months after the communication of the final ranking, and all activities must be completed within the timeframe indicated in the project proposal. Any delays may result in the suspension or revocation of funding.

What is the total budget allocated for the Call for Projects?
The total budget allocated per country is up to £45,000.
However, if fewer than seven projects are selected in Phase 2 (Selection by an International Expert Panel), the funds allocated to unassigned places will be equally redistributed among the awarded projects. In this case, neither the 80% project budget limit nor the maximum cap per ranking position will apply.
Example: If the panel selects only five projects instead of seven in a given country, the £7,000 in unassigned funds (£4,000 for sixth place and £3,000 for seventh place) will be equally distributed among the five selected projects, giving each an additional £1,400 on top of the pre-established contribution.

How many votes does a project need to be eligible for funding?
There is no minimum number of votes a project must obtain; it simply needs to rank between first and seventh place.
However, for funding to be allocated, at least 1,000 total votes must be collected across all participating projects in that country. If this threshold is not met, the call for projects in that country will be cancelled, and no funding will be granted.

How are the funds distributed?
The seven most voted projects receive funding with predefined limits (e.g., £11,000 for first place, with decreasing amounts for subsequent rankings).

Does the funding cover the entire project cost?
No, the funding covers up to 80% of the project’s total budget, with set maximum limits. This means that at least 20% of the budget must be financed by the association through its own funds, donations, sponsorships, or the economic valuation of volunteer work, calculated based on standard economic parameters.
Example: If a project has a total budget of £10,000, the maximum funding granted will be £8,000, and the association will need to cover the remaining £2,000.

What happens if a selected project has a budget lower than the maximum allocated for its ranking position?
If a selected project has a lower cost than the maximum amount set for its ranking position, it will still receive 80% of the total project cost.
Example: A project ranked first, eligible for up to £11,000 but with a total cost of £10,000, will receive £8,000 (80% of its projected cost).
The remaining £3,000 will not be redistributed but will be allocated to new Companion for Life initiatives, as stipulated in the call for projects.

How is the funding disbursed?
The funding is disbursed in three installments of 33.3%, each contingent on the submission of progress reports.

My association is small and has limited visibility. How can we obtain enough votes?
Almo Nature will provide selected associations with a communication kit to help promote their project and engage the public in the voting process. It is important to activate your network by using channels such as social media (not just your own, but also by posting in local community pages and commenting on news articles), newsletters, and local partnerships.

Can I withdraw my project after submitting it?
No, once submitted, the project is considered officially entered and cannot be withdrawn. This rule ensures transparency and continuity in the selection process.

Can I modify my project and related documentation after submission?
No, once uploaded, the project cannot be modified. Therefore, it is essential to carefully check all information before submission. However, if the project is selected for the public voting phase, associations will have the opportunity to add multimedia content or other updates if needed.

Can the votes received by a project be challenged? How will they be validated?
No, votes received for a project cannot be contested, as the platform ensures a user verification system that guarantees the validity of each vote cast. Additionally, the voting process is monitored to ensure transparency and integrity.