THE BULWARK PROJECT
The BULWARK project was launched in 2026 by GMF’s European Resilience program. The initiative enables civil society to build societal readiness and resilience against Russian hybrid threats in Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus.
Russia, through its full-scale war against Ukraine and its disinformation, cyberattacks, promotion of polarization, and political interference elsewhere poses a major challenge to European security and democratic stability. While military, digital, and economic defenses are improving, societal and institutional resilience remains deficient.
Civil society organizations are key to building democratic resilience. Across Europe’s east, civic and media actors have become experts in countering disinformation; bridging social divides; supporting women, young people, and vulnerable groups; and responding to crises while holding governments accountable.
Building on over three decades of GMF support for civil society and independent media in the region, the BULWARK project will reinforce the capacity of civic structures, foster cross-border learning and cooperation, and provide financial support to address Russian hybrid threats. In so doing, BULWARK will add a layer of democratic and societal resilience along the eastern and southeastern flanks of the EU and NATO.
Key Activities of the BULWARK project
Small-Grants Support: BULWARK provides 60 capacity-building, project, and learning grants to civil society organizations in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, and Ukraine. These grants enhance the institutional, operational, and analytical capacities of regional civil society to counter Russian hybrid threats.
Facilitating Cross-Border Learning: BULWARK organizes three transnational learning events for civil society from across Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus. These events will enable exchanging best practices and designing innovative tools for responding to Russian hybrid threats.
Awareness-Raising: BULWARK compiles and disseminates regional experiences and tools for countering malign Russian influences among European and international policymakers, civil society, and publics.
The BULWARK Project is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.
