OEI provides $3 million fund for digital transformation projects

The Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science, and Culture (OEI) has launched a Call funding for international cooperation projects that promote the digital transformation of Ibero-America.

The call for proposals will remain open until March 13. It is aimed at ministries and regional public entities, sub-regional bodies, public and private non-profit universities, public councils for science, technology, or culture, and non-profit foundations from the 23 member states of the OEI, including Portugal.

The seven observer countries of the OEI (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Luxembourg, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste), as well as the associated entities ratified by its General Assembly, may also apply with a Member State.

Digital transformation projects must be submitted in Portuguese or Spanish, last between 8 and 18 months, and relate to the following six thematic areas: Education and Technical and Vocational Education, Higher Education and Science, Culture, Human Rights Education, Democracy and Equality, Training and Learning for Cooperation, and Multilingualism.

A total of 18 projects will be subsidized, divided into three distinct funding categories—up to $100,000, $150,000, and $300,000, depending on the areas of action. Priority is given to greater geographical representation and to projects that have a direct and real application, in favor of the beneficiary population and in accordance with the organization's motto "making cooperation happen." Applicants must co-finance at least 20% of the equivalent of the resources requested from the OEI, which they can do by providing goods or services to support the project.

In each country, an evaluation committee established by the OEI will evaluate the applications. The terms and conditions of the call for applications, as well as all the necessary documentation to participate, are available on the organization's website.