Definition

An Own Initiative is as a developmental relevant project which strengthens the research and education capacity of (a) partner institution(s) in the South by means of generating and exchanging knowledge, with as final aim to use this local capacity in the struggle against poverty in the concerned region/ country.

It is emerged from a common initiative taken by one or more academics from a developing country  in collaboration with one ore more Flemish academics, and is aligned on the priorities of the local partner institute at the policy level where the project is constituted (department or faculty).

Summarizing, following considerations are to be taken into account:
- The project contributes to the development priorities of the country of intervention.
- The objectives contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the local population.
- There is maximum synergy and complementarity with other projects in the region or the country.
- The sector activities reinforce the socio economic basis and the civil society of the partner country.
- The research is oriented towards sustainable development and the interaction between social, cultural, ecological and economic factors.
- The continuity of the project is assured by the partner institution(s) after the withdrawal of the financial support from VLIR-UOS.

Funding

An Own Initiative has a maximum budget of  € 300,000 for the entire period.

Duration

An Own Initiative has a duration of 3 or 4 years.

Call cycle

Until now, VLIR-UOS launches each year a call for the submission of proposals. Selection takes place on a competitive basis over two selection rounds. The call for the submission of letters of intent for Own Initiatives 2011 (dd. 03/02/2010) can be found on this web page. The selection will take place on 21 May 2010. The selection is based on the submitted application dossier; no oral defence is planned. The call for the fully fledged Own Initiatives 2011 will be launched on 14 June 2010 with the submission date of 1 October 2010, the selection date of 25 November 2010 and project start-up from April 2011 onwards.

Deadline

The proposals for letters of intent Own Initiatives 2011 must be submitted to VLIR-UOS by the ICOS on 2 April 2010 at the latest. Within the different Flemish universities, however, different deadlines for the submission of the letters of intent are applied.

Contact person

For more information please contact Mr Herman Diels of the VLIR-UOS secretariat (tel.: +32 (0)2 550.19.62 or e-mail: herman.diels@vliruos.be).

Overview Own Initiatives (1998 - 2009)