BTD Grantmaking
The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) supports democratic consolidation and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkans through assisting reform processes and strengthening regional cooperation and collaboration.The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) awards grants to civil society organizations to support projects addressing themes of democracy and good governance, rule of law, policy dialogue and networking, and regional cooperation, and European integration. Priority areas within these themes include:
- Civic Engagement
- Youth Leadership and Empowerment
- Government Accountability and Transparency
- Culture of Giving
- Euro-Atlantic Integration
- Dialogue and Reconciliation
BTD prioritizes projects that use innovative approaches and solutions to resolve pertaining issues or problems designed to increase citizen engagement with government; measurably impact public policy; strengthen leadership skills of individuals and organizations; facilitate cross-border and/or cross-sector cooperation; and encourage the transfer of experiences and innovative ideas through clear communication and dissemination plans.
BTD seeks to support excellence and project ideas designed with clear objectives, goals, and deliverables.
Geographical Scope
BTD’s grantmaking activities focus primarily on the six Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. BTD also supports relevant cross-border and regional initiatives that include civil society stakeholders from other European countries.
Application Procedures
Organizations that are interested in receiving BTD funding are welcome to send a brief idea in English to [email protected]. The brief should include the following information:
- PROJECT TITLE
- ORGANIZATION (mission of the organization)
- TIMEFRAME
- SHORT DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT IDEA
- ACTIVITIES PROPOSED
- EXPECTED RESULTS:
- OUTCOMES
- OUTPUTS
- IMPACT
- BUDGET (total amount requested and, in case of co-funding, total amount needed for full project implementation with other donors’ share)
For information on our open calls for project proposals, please check below.
Eligibility Criteria
Project proposals should be initiated by civil society organizations legally registered in one of the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Organizations registered in any other country may be eligible for BTD funding should they propose an action with the main focus on any or all of the Western Balkan six countries.
BTD does not support humanitarian assistance, infrastructural projects, or any purchase of equipment.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Expand AllMedia Fund Serbia
Open Call Proposals
Media Literacy
The purpose of the call
The Media Fund Serbia is a program implemented by the Balkan Trust for Democracy of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, with support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) and the Swiss Development Cooperation Office in Serbia (SDC).
The program focuses on the following themes: Strengthening media freedom, pluralism and informed citizenship, and increasing resilience of media actors.
The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) is announcing a Call for Proposals open to media associations, including membership associations, and civil society organizations active in the media sphere in Serbia (henceforth media actors), as well as civil society organizations. The Call will result in:
Grants to media actors and civil society organizations to improve and support citizens’ ability to critically assess information in the public sphere via media literacy initiatives.
The Call has two sub-priorities:
1. Media Literacy through Innovation
This sub-priority supports media actors and CSOs in their role of “public educators” working on development of audiences' skills to critically understand media content and enhance their critical thinking abilities. Media actors and civil society organizations are encouraged to experiment with innovative approaches.
2. Cross-sector collaboration and coordination
This sub-priority supports collaboration between media actors, civil society and academia in developing approaches and strategies that advance critical thinking and media literacy in Serbia.
The application process
Duration of the Call: The Call will remain open until June 16, 2025.
The maximum amount of funding per project proposal under this call is 25,000 EUR.
Project duration is up to 5 months.
All applicants will be evaluated on a competitive basis and notified of the decision.
Project proposals must be submitted using the provided application forms, in the English language only.
The application documentation consists of the following mandatory documents:
One organization may receive support for only one project proposal in response to this Call.
The project proposal should clearly state the project idea, methodology used, target groups.
Partnerships and joint applications are strongly encouraged under this Call.
Any organization already receiving funding from the NMFA or SDC directly or through other projects cannot receive funding through this call.
Applications must be sent via e-mail to: [email protected] with the subject line “Media Fund Serbia 2024, [name of organization].”
Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. The applicant will get an e-mail confirmation of receipt upon submission of complete application documentation. Do not send any additional documentation, it will not be opened or reviewed.
Should you have any questions regarding the Call, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Media Fund Serbia 2024, [name of organization].”
PAST CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS
Expand AllBalkan CSOs Response to COVID-19 I
Program Description
The Balkan Trust for Democracy is launching a call for proposals as a response to the needs and challenges of the Balkan region civil societies amplified by the outbreak of the coronavirus. Strengthening the rule of law, freedom of expression, protection of human rights, and the fight against domestic and gender-based violence continue to be fundamental for social transformation of the Western Balkan region and require stronger cooperation of all parts of societies more than ever.
Balkan CSOs Response to COVID-19 II
Program Description
The Balkan Trust for Democracy is launching a call for proposals as a response to the needs and challenges of the Balkan region civil societies amplified by the outbreak of the coronavirus. Strengthening the rule of law, freedom of expression, protection of human rights, and the fight against domestic and gender-based violence continue to be fundamental for social transformation of the Western Balkan region and require stronger cooperation of all parts of societies more than ever.
Support to ‘Western Balkans 6’ for Strengthening Media Freedom And Fighting Domestic And Gender-Based Violence
The Balkan Trust for Democracy’s financial and technical assistance for this sub-granting process is part of the larger Norwegian efforts to support Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CALL
Democratization, strengthening the rule of law, freedom of expression, protection of human rights, and the fight against domestic and gender-based violence continue to be fundamental for social transformation, whereas the prospect of European Union integrations remains the main impetus for change for the ‘Western Balkans 6’ countries (WB6).
Strengthening EU Integration in North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia
The Balkan Trust for Democracy’s financial and technical assistance for this sub-granting process is part of the larger Norwegian efforts to support North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CALL
The firm prospect of EU membership remains the driver of transformation and anchor of stability and security in the countries of the Western Balkans. Enlargement policy continues to deliver results and reforms are moving forward in most countries, albeit at different speeds. Given the complex nature of the necessary reforms, it is a long-term process and structural shortcomings persist, notably in the key areas of rule of law and economy. The Balkan Trust for Democracy of The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF BTD) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade (RNE) aim to contribute to the implementation of the reform processes by opening this call.