PROTEUS

Program Description 

Corruption and the lack of transparency remain a pressing challenge across Central and Eastern Europe, eroding public trust in institutions, weakening democratic governance, impeding equitable economic and social development, and strengthening the influence of malicious foreign and domestic actors. It transcends the public and private sectors, and it thrives where little or no public accountability is enforced.   

Considering that transparency and strong anti-corruption policies are essential to uphold the principles of democratic good governance and the rule of law, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated call for proposals. This funding opportunity aims to support civil society organizations (CSOs) in their advocacy and awareness-raising action related to the transparency and accountability of governments carried out in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Eligibility 

The call is open to CSOs and non-profit-making entities established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. CSOs applying must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon as well as a proven track record in the protection of democracy, transparency, and human rights. 

Natural persons and for-profit entities are NOT eligible. Further, applicants can neither be affiliated entities, nor associates, nor contractors of TF. 

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 12 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to EUR 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to EUR 40,000 for cross-border projects. 

Project co-financing in the form of own contributions or other non-EU grants is welcomed, but not mandatory. Administrative costs (i.e., utilities, accounting, and financial management) cannot exceed 7% of the total grant amount.   

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations. 

Types of Eligible Activities:  

• Promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct within public and private institutions.
• Monitor and investigate any form of corruption or misuse of public funds.
• Encourage collaboration across sectors and between different stakeholders, including government agencies, business, academia, and CSOs.
• Advocate legal and regulatory reforms aimed at closing loopholes and strengthening anti-corruption laws.
• Build the capacity of individuals, organizations, and institutions to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to corruption. 

Important eligibility note: 

Activities on strategic litigation can be supported but are limited to capacity-building, awareness-raising activities, training, mutual learning and exchange of good practices, and analytical activities. 

Court actions and direct litigation activities are not eligible for support under this action.  

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities involving other EU countries may be considered as well.  

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.   

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral and rural areas are especially encouraged to apply. 

Application Process 

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by 24:00 (midnight) CET of May 19, 2025.  

Calls for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Croatian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Czech 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Hungarian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Polish 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Romanian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Slovak 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Slovenian 

Please use the call’s reference D2.10/D14-CfP-INT5 in the subject line of your application email. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your application. 

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages. 

• Application form (in both PDF and WORD format)
• Budget form (Excel)
• Declaration of honor
• Child protection policy of the applicant (in case project activities involve children)  

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.  

The selected projects could commence as early as July 1, 2025, and should conclude no later than July 31, 2026. 

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted and calls participated in by one organization. 

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grantmaking program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected]. 

An information session for applicants was held on April 16, 2025. You may access the video recording of the session here, and the PowerPoint presentation here.  

Award Criteria 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including: 

• Demonstrated alignment with call objectives, quality of problem statement, needs assessment, and relevance in relation to those objectives. (10)
• Feasibility of goals, the action proposed, and cost-effectiveness of the budget. (5)
• Commitment to democratic values and fundamental rights. (3)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions, focused on avoiding duplication. (3)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant. (2)
• Creative approaches and ability to base activities on insights gained from past experiences, including successes and failures. (2) 

Total: 25 points 

Bonus points will be awarded based on:  

• The project’s activities take place in rural areas (+2), or in peripheral towns and regional capitals (+1). 

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 28 points. The eligibility threshold is 15 points. 

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single-stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in June 2025.  

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any other language version, the English language version shall prevail.  

This call for proposals is published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

Published on March 18, 2025. 

Program Description 

Limited awareness of EU rights and values in peripheral and rural areas of Central Europe presents significant challenges to social cohesion, democratic participation, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. The limited visibility of these values in public discourse allows illiberal challengers of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and European integration to disproportionately shape political narratives, giving them influence well beyond their electoral weight. This, in turn, facilitates the spread of false or misleading information about the real contribution of fundamental rights and EU values to citizens’ everyday life. 

For this reason, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated call for proposals. This funding opportunity aims to enhance understanding of and support for EU rights and values, with a special focus on fundamental rights, democracy, and the rule of law, among populations in peripheral and rural areas of Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Eligibility 

The call is open to civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-profit-making entities established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. CSOs applying must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon as well as a proven track record in the protection of democracy, transparency, and human rights. 

Natural persons and for-profit entities are NOT eligible. Further, applicants can neither be affiliated entities, nor associates, nor contractors of TF. 

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 12 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to EUR 15,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to EUR 30,000 for cross-border projects. 

Project co-financing in the form of own contributions or other non-EU grants is welcomed, but not mandatory. Administrative costs (i.e., utilities, accounting, and financial management) cannot exceed 7% of the total grant amount.   

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations. 

Types of Eligible Activities:  

• Online/offline awareness-raising and outreach activities promoting the importance of rights and values under the EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights among the general public and key actors such as local stakeholders.
• Organization of civic dialogues, discussion platforms, and debate series on EU rights and values themes and their impact on citizens’ everyday life.
• Local heroes and storytelling campaigns anchoring EU rights and values through accessible and tangible examples.
• Local/regional/cross-border rights and values (human rights) festivals.
• Youth camps dedicated to the theme of EU rights and values.
• Local/regional media campaigns featuring content on the local impact of rights and values
• Public art and participatory theatre projects.
• Anti-fake-news campaigns combating disinformation related to rights and values.
• Petition and advocacy campaigns to mobilize communities to advocate for local policies aligned with EU values.
• Activities aimed at strengthening information integrity in electoral contexts, particularly through fact-checking, combating disinformation, and monitoring platform content by CSOs
• Activities aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, particularly through information campaigns on voting rights, the recruitment and training of civic election observers, and the implementation of civic election observation efforts. 

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities involving other EU countries may be considered as well.  

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.   

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral and rural areas are especially encouraged to apply. 

Application Process 

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by 24:00 (midnight) CET of May 19, 2025.  

Calls for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Croatian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Czech 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Hungarian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Polish 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Romanian 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Slovak 

Calls for proposals and application forms in Slovenian 

Please use the call’s reference D4.4/D22-CfP-INT9 in the subject line of your application email. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your application. 

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages. 

• Application form (in both PDF and WORD format)
• Budget form (Excel)
• Declaration of honor
• Child protection policy of the applicant (in case project activities involve children) 

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.  

The selected projects could commence as early as July 1, 2025 and should conclude no later than July 31, 2026. 

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted and calls participated in by one organization. 

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grantmaking program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected]. 

An information session for applicants was held on April 16, 2025. You may access the video recording of the session here, and the PowerPoint presentation here.  

Award Criteria 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including: 

• Demonstrated alignment with call objectives, quality of problem statement, needs assessment, and relevance in relation to those objectives. (10)
• Feasibility of goals, the action proposed, and cost-effectiveness of the budget. (5)
• Commitment to democratic values and fundamental rights. (3)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions, focused on avoiding duplication. (3)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant. (2)
• Creative approaches and ability to base activities on insights gained from past experiences, including successes and failures. (2) 

Total: 25 points 

Bonus points will be awarded based on:  

• The project’s activities take place in rural areas (+2) or in peripheral towns and regional capitals (+1). 

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 28 points. The eligibility threshold is 15 points. 

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single-stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in June 2025.  

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any other language version, the English language version shall prevail.  

This call for proposals is published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

Published on March 18, 2025. 

The following proposals were selected for support:

Bulgaria

 Applicant: Centre for Liberal Strategies Foundation (CLS)

• Legal Name, Established in: Фондация „Център за либерални стратегии'', Bulgaria
• Project Title: 100 Sofia Voices: Deliberating Inclusiveness
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Organizing a deliberative public discussion on urban policies for inclusion with citizens selected to be representative of the socio-demographic characteristics of Sofia
• Grant: € 24,775
• Duration: 12 months

Croatia

Applicant: Domino Association

• Legal name, Established in: Udruga Domino, Croatia
• Project Title: The right of women to a life without violence
• Project Country: Croatia
• Description: Reducing the number of women victims of domestic violence, introducing femicide into the legislative framework of Croatia and informing citizens
• Grant: € 24,989
• Duration: 9 months

Czechia

Applicant: Association for International Affairs

• Legal name, Established in: Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky, z.s. , Czechia
• Project Title: Czechia and the world: AMO discussions in the regions
• Project Country: Czechia
• Description: Increasing public participation in the peripheries by raising awareness on foreign politics, global affairs, and their impact on Czechia through 14 lectures followed by interactive discussion.
• Grant: € 24,940
• Duration: 24 months

Applicant: Hnutí DUHA - Friends of the Earth Czech Republic

• Legal name, Established in: Hnutí DUHA - Friends of the Earth Czech Republic, Czechia
• Project Title: Together for healthy forests
• Project Country: Czechia
• Description: Engaging public in advocacy actions for sustainable and climate-resilient forest management legislation.
• Grant: € 24,981
• Duration: 12 months

Hungary

Applicant: Citizens for Józsefváros Association

• Legal name, established in: Civilek Józsefvárosért Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title: Citizens’ Assemblies to Empower Local Residents
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Strengthening local democratic decision making and accountability through the organization of citizens’ assemblies in the 8th district of Budapest
• Grant: € 24,740
• Duration: 14 months

Poland

Applicant: For Nature and Human Society

• Legal name, Established in: Towarzystwo dla Natury i Człowieka, Poland
• Project Title: Voice of Nature. Involvement in decision-making processes regarding investments in environmentally valuable areas of Lublin and Lublin Polesie.
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Enhancing public participation and informed dialogue in natural resource management
• Grant: €24,320
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: ResPublica Foundation

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja ResPublica, Poland
• Project Title: Democracy on Edge
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Foresight discussions and citizen’s podcast engaging communities in four mid-size Polish cities.
• Grant: €23,428
• Duration: 6 months

Applicant: The Childbirth with Dignity Foundation

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja Rodzić Po Ludzku, Poland
• Project Title: Citizens safeguarding dignified childbirth
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Engaging citizens in the fight for women’s rights.
• Grant: €25,000
• Duration: 10 months

Romania

Applicant: CIVICA Association

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația CIVICA, Romania
• Project Title: Program for civic involvement and innovation
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: Increase civic participation in Iasi (Eastern part of Romania) county by strengthening the capacity of six local groups to solve community-relevant issues and developing a network of 100 local supporters willing to support civic participation through time contributions, expertise and financial resources.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Tech&Tonic

• Legal name, Established in: Tech&Tonic, Romania
• Project Title: Platform 24 – Topics that matter for elections
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: To identify, analyze and debate important topics for Romanian citizens before and during the four different rounds of Romanian elections in 2024, within a platform created by NGOs, citizens, political candidates and journalists.
• Grant: € 24,900
• Duration: 14 months

Slovakia

Applicant: One parent

• Legal name, Established in: Jeden rodič, Slovakia
• Project Title: The strong voice of single parents
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Strengthening public participation of single parents by mobilizing them into ‘’Single parents’’ CSO, accompanied by nation-wide advocacy campaign.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 22 months

Slovenia

Applicant: Bob, Institute for education and cultural activities

• Legal name, Established in: Bob, Zavod za izobraževanje in kulturne dejavnosti, Slovenia
• Project Title: First steps to active citizenship!
• Project Country: Slovenia
• Description: Fostering youth political participation and civic activism targeting first time voters ahead of the 2024 European Parliament election, through workshops and facilitated meetings in ‘Active citizens’ club’.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 9 months

Unsuccessful applicants may file a complaint within 7 calendar days from the date the decision was published if they believe they were subject to unprofessional or discriminatory treatment. Complaints must be submitted electronically to  [email protected].

The following project proposals were selected for support under PRO – INT 2: Enhancing the participation of women in political and policy processes through awareness raising and advocacy: 

Bulgaria 

 Applicant: Female Entrepreneurship Bulgaria Foundation 

• Legal Name, Established in: „Жените в предприемачеството в България“ Фондация, Bulgaria
• Project Title:  EmpowerHER North: Enhancing Women’s Public Participation in Northwestern and Northern Central Bulgaria
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Increasing women’s public participation and catalyzing positive change.
• Grant: € 24,970
• Duration: 8 months 

 Applicant: Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza” 

• Legal Name, Established in:  Българско училище за политика „Димитър Паница“, Bulgaria
• Project Title:  Active Women – Prosperous Democracy
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description:  Strengthening the active participation of women in political life in the Blagoevgrad, Razgrad, and Kardzhali regions through trainings.
• Grant: € 24,967
• Duration: 8 months 

Croatia 

Applicant: DKolektiv – Organization for Social Development   

• Legal name, Established in: DKolektiv – organizacija za društveni razvoj , Croatia
• Project Title:  ALISA – Women’s Leadership for Social Inclusion and Active Participation
• Project Country: Croatia
• Description: Strengthening the personal and organizational capacities and potential of women in civil society.
• Grant: € 24,995
• Duration: 18 months 

 Czechia 

Applicant: Forum 50% 

• Legal name, Established in:  Fórum 50 %, o.p.s. , Czechia
• Project Title:  WomenPower: Strengthening the Voice of Women in Public Life
• Project Country: Czechia
• Description: Supporting women’s civic engagement in three structurally disadvantaged regions of Czechia: the Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem, and Moravian-Silesian regions.
• Grant: € 24,994
• Duration: 12 months 

Hungary 

Applicant:  Hungarian European Women's Association – MENŐK 

• Legal name, established in:  MENŐK – Magyar Európai Nők Fóruma Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title:  Let Female Voices Be Heard!
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Empowering female organizations in seven Hungarian municipalities and in Budapest to amplify female voices in the public discourse.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months 

Applicant: PATENT – Association of People Opposing Patriarchy 

• Legal name, established in: PATENT Patriarchátust Ellenzők Társasága Jogvédeő Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title:  Still not Equal – Fostering Women’s Equality in Politics and Before Courts
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description:  Fostering the equality of women in politics and before the law through the monitoring of gender-based harassment and hate speech against female candidates during the 2024 European Parliament elections campaign, as well as through the monitoring of gender-based discrimination cases before Hungarian courts with a special emphasis on domestic violence.
• Grant: € 24,143
• Duration: 12 months 

Poland 

Applicant:  Casimir Pulaski Foundation 

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja im. Kazimierza Pułaskiego, Poland
• Project Title: Empowering Young Women Experts in Regional Security and Foreign Policy
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Advancing women’s participation in political debate and processes through mentorship, skills development, and public exposure.
• Grant: € 24,980
• Duration: 6 months 

Romania 

Applicant:  Center for Curricular Development and Gender Studies – FILIA 

• Legal name, Established in:  Centrul de Dezvoltare Curriculară şi Studii de Gen – FILIA, Romania
• Project Title: Women Participate for a Strong Democracy
• Project Country: Romania
• Description:  Increasing the participation of young women in democratic processes by facilitating dialogue with political actors and raising awareness of the importance of women’s involvement in public life.
• Grant: € 19,490
• Duration: 6 months 

Applicant: Funky Citizens 

• Legal name, Established in:  Funky Citizens, Romania
• Project Title:  Budgeting for Change: Promoting Gender Equality in Local Budgets in Romania
• Project Country: Romania
• Description:  Promoting gender equality at the local level in Romania through developing a research methodology for gender budgeting, conducting analyses of local budgets, and empowering local experts and activists to engage in shaping public policies.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 10 months 

Slovakia 

Applicant: Women’s Circles 

• Legal name, Established in: Ženské kruhy, Slovakia
• Project Title: Engaging Women in Self-Efficient Advocacy
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Creating systemic changes in public policies related to women’s reproductive rights through awareness raising as well as through fostering individual self-advocacy and collective advocacy at the regional and national levels.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months 

Applicant:  Center for Community Organizing – CKO 

• Legal name, Established in:  Centrum komunitného organizovania, Slovakia
• Project Title:  Invisible Heroines
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Empowering the active participation of Roma women in public and community life in the Banská Bystrica region and sensitizing the general public to their experiences with the ultimate goal of fostering increased inclusion.
• Grant: € 15,000
• Duration: 12 months 

Slovenia 

Applicant:  Cultural and Arts Association Transformator 

Co-applicant: Amnesty International Slovenia (Društvo Amnesty International Slovenije), Slovenia

Co-applicant: Zavod Radio Študent, Slovenia

• Legal name, Established in: Kulturno umetniško društvo Transformator, Slovenia
• Project Title:  Not One More
• Project Country: Slovenia
• Description:  Awareness raising on women’s reproductive rights in Slovenia, including the right to equal access to safe and legal abortion.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 15 months 

Unsuccessful applicants may file a complaint within seven calendar days from the date the decision was published if they believe they were subject to unprofessional or discriminatory treatment. Complaints must be submitted electronically to: [email protected]. 

The following project proposals were selected for support under INT 3: Enhancing the participation of vulnerable groups in public deliberation and decision-making processes: 

Bulgaria 

Applicant:  Student Society for the Development of Interethnic Dialogue Foundation 

• Legal Name, Established in:  Фондация „Студентско общество за развитие на междуетническия диалог“, Bulgaria
• Project Title:  Mission Overview
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Building a long-term perspective for the empowerment of Roma.
• Grant: € 24,434
• Duration: 12 months 

Hungary 

Applicant:  Minoritas Association of Somogy Country 

• Legal Name, Established in:  Somogy Megyei Minoritas Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title:  Minoritas Democracy Tour 2024
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description:  Get-out-the-vote mobilization campaign in 30 municipalities of Somogy County, Hungary to support participation at the 2024 minority self-government elections. And, following the elections, providing capacity-strengthening trainings for the elected minority self-governments in the 30 municipalities.
• Grant: € 24,730
• Duration: 6 months 

Applicant: Wildflower Foundation 

• Legal Name, Established in:  Vadvirág Alapítvány a sérült gyerekek integrációjának a támogatására, Hungary
• Project Title: Fostering Social Awareness in the Families of Children With Disabilities
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Mobilizing the families of children with disabilities, fostering information sharing among them about available social services, and supporting their engagement with authorities.
• Grant: € 12,140
• Duration: 10 months 

Poland 

Applicant:  GrowSPACE Foundation 

• Legal Name, Established in: Fundacja GrowSPACE, Poland
• Project Title: Take Matters Into Your Own Hands! – A Program to Support Civic Participation by Young People in the Podkarpackie Voivodship
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Developing skills and anti-discrimination competencies’ among the youth in southeastern Poland.
• Grant: € 18,980
• Duration: 10 months 

Applicant: BoMiasto 

• Legal Name, Established in: BoMiasto, Poland
• Project Title: The Academy of Queer Silesia
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Enhancing the skills and visibility of LGBTQ+ artists and performers to drive social change and nurture cultural growth.
• Grant: € 20,000
• Duration: 9 months 

Applicant:  Foundation “Institute Poland-Ukraine” 

• Legal Name, Established in:  Fundacja Instytut Polska-Ukraina, Poland
• Project Title: Information, Development, Advocacy: Strengthening the Ukrainian Community in Krakow
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Enhancing local civic participation and self-advocacy among members of the Ukrainian community in Kraków.
• Grant: € 22,666
• Duration: 20 months 

Romania 

Applicant: MozaiQ LGBT Association 

• Legal name, Established in:  Asociația MozaiQ LGBT
• Project Title:  Engage & Empower
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: Creating bridges between LGBTI citizens and local politicians in the context of the 2024 elections through awareness raising and inviting politicians to pledge publicly to support LGBTQI rights.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 6 months 

Applicant:  Fagaras Research Institute 

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația Institutul de Cercetare Făgăraș, Romania
• Project Title: Media Lab for Sustainable Democracy
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: Providing democratic and human rights education to 120 citizens from disadvantaged groups in the Fagaras area through the creation and work of a local media lab.
• Grant: € 24,500
• Duration: 12 months 

Slovakia 

Applicant: Center for the Research of Ethnicity and Culture – CVEK 

• Legal name, Established in:  Centrum pre výskum etnicity a kultúry, Slovakia
• Project Title: VOICE FOR ALL – Training Module for Municipalities to Support Participation of Vulnerable Groups
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Supporting local and regional governments in effectively involving vulnerable groups in decision-making processes through developing and testing a tailor-made training module.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months 

Applicant: Saplinq 

• Legal name, Established in:  Saplinq, o.z., Slovakia
• Project Title: Promoting the Role and Strengthening the Participation of the LGBTQI+ Youth in Political and Democratic Spaces in Slovakia
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Increasing societal acceptance of LGBTQI+ individuals in Slovakia through 12 awareness-raising campaigns, promoting political engagement, enhancing LGBTQI+ movement capacities, and supporting vulnerable youth facing discrimination.
• Grant: € 24,710
• Duration: 11 months 

Slovenia 

Applicant:  BOB, Institute for Educational and Cultural Activities, Ljubljana 
Co-applicant: The Centre for oppressed POKAZ (Centar za kazalište potlačenih), Croatia

• Legal name, Established in: BOB, zavod za izobraževanje in kulturne dejavnosti, Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Project Title: Act(ivate) Your Story
• Project Country: Slovenia, Croatia
• Description: Giving a voice to marginalized migrants, changing their public image through sharing their stories, and challenging their negative representation in the media.
• Grant: € 40,000
• Duration: 18 months 

Unsuccessful applicants may file a complaint within seven calendar days from the date the decision was published if they believe they were subject to unprofessional or discriminatory treatment. Complaints must be submitted electronically to  [email protected]. 

The following project proposals were selected for support under INT 4: Supporting the social involvement of children and young people through democracy education and participation-based model projects: 

Bulgaria 

Applicant:  The Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria 

• Legal Name, Established in: Асоциация на европейските журналисти – България, Bulgaria
• Project Title: Beyond Borders: Journalism by and for Young People
• Project Country: Bulgaria, Romania
• Description: Providing media literacy and journalism trainings for young people from Bulgaria and Romania.
• Grant: € 40,000
• Duration: 8 months 

Applicant:  Bulgarian Euro-Atlantic Youth Club (BEAYC) 

• Legal Name, Established in: Младежко евро-атлантическо дружество (МЕАД), Bulgaria
• Project Title:  Youth Democracy: Together for the Future
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Fostering the active participation of young people in democratic processes through age-based educational sessions.
• Grant: € 20,000
• Duration: 9 months 

Croatia 

Applicant:  Foundation Knowledge at Work  

• Legal name, Established in:  Zaklada Znanje na djelu, Croatia
• Project Title:  Youth Forward: Democratic Pathway to Pupil-Led Career Development
• Project Country: Croatia
• Description: Enhancing the civic, democratic, and leadership skills of high school students through age-based educational sessions.
• Grant: € 19,430
• Duration: 12 months 

Czechia 

Applicant:  NaZemi 

• Legal name, Established in: NaZemi, z.s., Czechia
• Project Title: Generation symbiocene participates
• Project Country: Czechia
• Description: Empowering young people to address the challenges posed by climate change through transformative education.
• Grant: € 24,412
• Duration: 9 months 

Hungary 

Applicant:  Alliance of Civic Activists – CSZE 

• Legal name, established in: Civilek Szövetsége, Hungary
• Project Title:  Fostering the Public Participation of High School Students
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Mobilizing high school students to support European values through online competitions, a summer camp, and the creation of local/regional student fora on the basis of student self-governments.
• Grant: €25,000
• Duration: 8 months 

Applicant: Round Table Theatre 

• Legal name, established in:  Kerekasztal Színház, Hungary
• Project Title: You Can Have an Impact!
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Organizes 24 participatory theater plays for vocational school students in 12 county capitals of Hungary.
• Grant: € 24,620
• Duration: 18 months 

Poland 

Applicant: SocLab Foundation 

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja SocLab, Poland
• Project Title:  Action Participation – Bialystok Incubator of Youth Initiatives
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Developing the civic competences of secondary school students to increase their active involvement in Białystok’s public life.
• Grant: € 24,925
• Duration: 6 months 

Applicant:  Garden of Imagination 

• Legal name, Established in: Ogród Wyobraźni, Poland
• Project Title:  Freedom Games
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Developing a participatory educational project and organizing a city-management simulation game for school youth in Wrocław.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 9 months 

Applicant:  OFF School Foundation 

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja OFF School, Poland
• Project Title: House of Democratic Youth
• Project Countries: Poland
• Description: Empowering young individuals to assert their rights through the production of creative video spots and peer learning.
• Grant: € 24,960
• Duration: 9 months 

Romania 

Applicant: Sibiu Community Foundation 

• Legal name, Established in: Fundaţia Comunitară Sibiu, Romania
• Project Title: Urban Leadership Academy
• Project country: Romania
• Description: Fostering young citizens to become the next generation of local leaders, to shape their communities in a positive and sustainable way, and to be part of a global network of local change-makers.
• Grant: € 20,000
• Duration: 12 months 

Applicant:  Association Center for Public Innovation 

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația Centrul pentru Inovare Publică (ACIP), Romania
• Project Title:  Be Active in Your Community!
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: Developing the civic skills of high school students through age-based educational formats and providing them with opportunities to actively contribute to the civic life of their communities.
• Grant: € 24,700
• Duration: 10 months 

Slovakia 

Applicant: Model Parliament of Slovakia – MPS 

• Legal name, Established in:  MPS – Modelový parlament Slovenska, Slovakia
• Project Title:  Model Parliament of Slovakia – MPS
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Increasing the political engagement of 600 high school students through two model national parliament simulation games and three regional self-government conferences.
• Grant: € 16,337
• Duration: 15 months 

Applicant:  NGO PROXIMA 

• Legal name, Established in:  MVO PROXIMA, Slovakia
• Project Title:  Democracy Training
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Promoting active civic participation and advocacy for democratic principles among rural youth in the Košice region through nonformal educational activities.
• Grant: € 15,400
• Duration: 12 months 

  Applicant: SEEDS  

• Legal name, Established in: Nezisková organizácia SEEDS, Slovakia
• Project Title: Freedom and Democracy: The Virtual World of Elections
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Promoting civic participation among youth through interactive workshops, primarily targeting secondary vocational schools across the country.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 9 months 

Slovenia 

Applicant: Pro et Contra, Institute for Culture of Dialogue 

• Legal name, Established in: Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga, Slovenia
• Project Title:  Advocacy for Democracy Academy — (AJDA)
• Project Country: Slovenia
• Description: Improving public participation in democratic processes and grassroots activism in the Pomurje region.
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months 

Unsuccessful applicants may file a complaint within seven calendar days from the date the decision was published if they believe they were subject to unprofessional or discriminatory treatment. Complaints must be submitted electronically to: [email protected]  

The following proposals were selected for support:

Bulgaria

Applicant: Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC)

• Legal Name, Established in: Български хелзинкски комитет, Bulgaria
• Project Title: Strengthening BHC's organizational capacity for effective digital human rights advocacy
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Increasing BHC's resilience and online capacity for digital human rights advocacy
• Grant: € 24,941
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Association Startup Factory

• Legal Name, Established in: Сдружение Стартъп Фектъри, Bulgaria
• Project Title: InfoSec Skills+
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Improving the information security skills of CSO staff
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL)
Co-applicant: Political Accountability Foundation (Fundacja Odpowiedzialna Polityka), Poland 
Co-applicant: Unhack Democracy, Hungary 

• Legal Name, Established in: Български център за нестопанско право, Bulgaria
• Project Title: Rewire your mind / Rewire your country: Building CSO resilience through hope-based leadership
• Project Country: Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland
• Description: Disseminating the methodology of hope-based leadership and challenging illiberal structures through hope-based campaigns
• Grant: € 39,996

Duration: 8 months

Croatia

Applicant: Friends of the Earth Croatia

• Legal Name, Established in: Zelena akcija, Croatia
• Project Title: Resilient activism in times of uncertainty
• Project Country: Croatia
• Description: Strengthening of internal capacities and resilience
• Grant: € 24,980
• Duration: 12 months

Hungary

Applicant: School of Public Life Foundation

• Legal Name, Established in: Közélet Iskolája Alapítvány, Hungary
• Project Title: Strengthening CSOs in Shrinking Spaces – Fostering Organizational Development and Psychological Resilience
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Supporting CSOs’ sustainable operations in shrinking spaces through strategy and resilience building and organizational development
• Grant: € 23,900
• Duration: 20 months

Applicant: Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC)

• Legal Name, Established in: Magyar Helsinki Bizottság, Magyarország
• Project Title: Improving HHC’s resilience
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Enhancing the resilience of HHC—one of Hungary’s most important human rights watchdogs—amid shrinking civic space by increasing HHC staff’s digital security skill and psychological resilience
• Grant: € 24,980
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: HAT Foundation

• Legal Name, Established in: HAT Alapítvány, Hungary
• Project Title: I am here! Let’s create a common place!
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Resilience building and mental health consulting for critical teachers and civic activists through regular workshops creating exchange and common space
• Grant: € 22,455
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: PILnet Foundation

• Legal Name, Established in: PILnet Alapítvány, Hungary
• Project Title: eLECSO: Enabling Legal Empowerment of Civil Society Organizations
• Project Country: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary
• Description: Empowering CSOs and enhancing their legal resilience through legal capacity building and risk assessment
• Grant: € 40,000
• Duration: 24 months

Applicant: Transvanilla Transgender Association

• Legal Name, Established in: Transvanilla Transznemű Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title: Transvanilla - Legal Capacity Building and Institutional Development
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Countering shrinking spaces for transgender people in Hungary through extending the geographic scope of Transvanilla’s work and strengthening its legal aid program
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 24 months

Applicant: NANE Association

• Legal Name, Established in: Nők a Nőkért Együtt az Erőszak Ellen Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title: Cooperation, Unity, Resilience – Institutional Development and Networking to Provide Better Support for the Victims of Domestic Violence
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Internal capacity building and creation of cooperative ties with municipalities to enhance the standards of local institutions helping the victims of domestic violence
• Grant: € 23,439
• Duration: 16 months

Poland

Applicant: Czulent Jewish Association

• Legal Name, Established in: Żydowskie Stowarzyszenie Czulent, Poland
• Project Title: Securing Our Community, Preserving Our Democracy: Combating Antisemitism through Integrated Advocacy and Security Approaches.
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Combatting online hate speech and strengthening cyber security of the Jewish community.
• Grant: €24,380
• Duration: 10 months

Applicant: Federation of Social Organisations of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship - FOSa

• Legal Name, Established in: Federacja Organizacji Socjalnych Województwa Warmińsko-Mazurskiego FOSa, Poland
• Project Title: THE GAP - Networking without gaps in Warmia and Mazury
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Capacity and resilience building among civil society networks and their individual members for a greater policy impact.
• Grant: €24,910
• Duration: 7 months

Applicant: Humanity in Action Poland

• Legal Name, Established in: Fundacja Humanity in Action Polska, Poland
• Project Title: Solidarity in action. Holding the space for each other. Support program for experts, activists, and teachers at risk of burnout and working environment difficulties.
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Addressing burnout and fragmentation through training and sustainable network building.
• Grant: €25,000
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Polish Legal Clinics Foundation

• Legal Name, Established in: Fundacja Uniwersyteckich Poradni Prawnych, Poland
• Project Title: Deepening partnerships between the non-governmental sector and the private and public sectors and strengthening the effectiveness of NGOs' activities.
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Legal support for civil society and networking as means to counter shrinking democratic space.
• Grant: €24,546
• Duration: 24 months

Romania

Applicant: ACCEPT Association

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația ACCEPT, Romania
• Project Title: Resistance through resilience for LGBTI civil society in Romania
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: To strengthen organizational resilience and the ability of human rights activists from LGBTI organizations and local groups to respond to the challenges that are faced in the context of shrinking space for civil society, growing wave of hate speech, and fake news phenomenon
• Grant: € 24,999
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Association Techsoup Romania

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația Techsoup, Romania
• Project Title: Cybersecurity Activator for NGOs in Romania
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: To raise awareness on the importance of cybersecurity readiness for NGOs, especially those which work with vulnerable groups or in critical areas of civic activism, justice and rule of law, Ukrainian refugees, LGBTQIA+
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: PACT Foundation - Partnership for Community Action and Partnership

• Legal name, Established in: Fundația PACT – Parteneriat pentru Acțiune Comunitară șI Transformare, Romania
• Project Title: DRIVE Network – Driven Responsibility & Integrated Vision Empowerment Network
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: To establish a network of Community Based Organizations – formal and informal – active in rural and small urban areas across Southern Romania
• Grant: € 24,975
• Duration: 12 months

Unsuccessful applicants may file a complaint within 7 calendar days from the date the decision was published if they believe they were subject to unprofessional or discriminatory treatment. Complaints must be submitted electronically to  [email protected].

The following proposals were selected for support:

Bulgaria

Applicant: Anti-Corruption Fund Foundation (ACF)

• Legal Name, Established in: Фондация Антикорупционен фонд, Bulgaria
• Project Title: Monitoring Local Authorities on Anticorruption and Conflict of Interest
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Monitoring and analysis of the work of the local anticorruption bodies, tasked with ascertaining conflict of interests and combatting corruption
• Grant: € 24,985
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Institute for Public Environment Development (IPED)

• Legal Name, Established in: Институт за развитие на публичната среда, Bulgaria
• Project Title: European elections 2024: the citizens' voice
• Project Country: Bulgaria
• Description: Contributing to stimulating the dialogue on European values and the importance of the upcoming European elections
• Grant: € 24,170
• Duration: 8 months

Czechia

Applicant: Frank Bold Society

• Legal name, Established in: Frank Bold Society, z.s., Czechia
• Project Title: Against corruption in public tenders in regions of Czechia
• Project Country: Czechia
• Description: Enhancing transparency in public tenders carried out by publicly owned companies in 5 peripheral municipalities/regions and empowering local stakeholders.
• Grant: € 17,646
• Duration: 10 months

Hungary

Applicant: Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU)

• Legal name, established in: Társaság a Szabadságjogokért (TASZ), Hungary
• Project Title: There shall be legal aid for the whole country! Enhancing HCLU's legal aid activities in Pécs, Debrecen and Miskolc
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Strengthening HCLU’s operative presence and regional hubs in the cities of Pécs, Debrecen and Miskolc
• Grant: €25,000
• Duration: 16 months

Applicant: Streetlawyer Association

• Legal name, established in: Utcajogász Egyesület, Hungary
• Project Title: Protecting Housing and Social Rights in Pécs
• Project Country: Hungary
• Description: Fostering access to housing and social rights in Pécs through providing legal aid, local awareness raising, and advocacy
• Grant: € 25,000
• Duration: 24 months

Poland

Applicant: Bender Society

• Legal name, Established in: Towarzystwo Benderowskie, Poland
• Project Title: Climate watchdog for peripheries
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Enhancing public participation and informed dialogue in natural resource management
• Grant: €24,866
• Duration: 20 months

Applicant: Forests and Citizens Foundation

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja Lasy i Obywatele, Poland
• Project Title: Forests are ours: strengthening social participation processes in public consultations of Forest Management Plans
• Project Country: Poland
• Description: Citizen-led watchdog activities for better management of natural resources.
• Grant: €24,633
• Duration: 12 months

Applicant: Ocalenie Foundation

• Legal name, Established in: Fundacja Ocalenie, Poland
• Project Title: International network of organizations for a report on the death toll of the humanitarian crisis on the European Union’s border with Belarus.
• Project Countries: Poland, Belarus, Latvia, and Lithuania
• Description: Cross-border research and advocacy efforts regarding the humanitarian crisis at the eastern borders of Europe.
• Grant: €40,000
• Duration: 8 months

Romania

Applicant: Expert Forum Association 

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația Expert Forum, Romania
• Project Title: Participative and transparent EU parliamentary elections
• Project country: Romania
• Description: Increase the transparency and integrity of the electoral process for the European Parliament elections by strengthening a coalition of organizations to observe the elections and provide electoral assistance for voters across Romania and abroad.
• Grant: EUR 23,697
• Duration: 7 months

Applicant: ACCEPT Association

• Legal name, Established in: Asociația ACCEPT, Romania
• Project Title: Information and monitoring campaign of the rights of the LGBTQI+ persons in underserved areas
• Project Country: Romania
• Description: To reduce discrimination, lack of access to information and education for the LGBTQI+ community (with a focus on transgender people) in small cities, as well as for civil servants and other key professionals
• Grant: € 24,450
• Duration: 14 months

Slovakia

Applicant: Transparency International Slovakia

• Legal name, Established in: Transparency International Slovensko, TIS, Slovakia
• Project Title: How to reinforce regional control mechanisms?
• Project Country: Slovakia
• Description: Monitoring and strengthening formal and non-formal anti-corruption control mechanisms in rural Slovakia
• Grant: € 20,035
• Duration: 16 months

Slovenia

Applicant: Aspira Institute

• Legal name, Established in: Zavod Aspira, zavod za razvoj posameznika in družbe
• Project Title: Active citizens, strong region: Empowerment of non-governmental organizations for democratic cooperation in the Zasava region
• Project Country: Slovenia
• Description: Strengthening the civil society’s role in the Zasavje region as a watchdog and an important player in decision-making through capacity and partnerships building.
• Grant: € 24,521
• Duration: 12 months

Unsuccessful applicants may file a complaint within 7 calendar days from the date the decision was published if they believe they were subject to unprofessional or discriminatory treatment. Complaints must be submitted electronically to  [email protected].

The Sofia Platform Foundation is a nongovernmental organization established in 2013. For the last nine years, Sofia Platform has focused on civic activism, civic education, and the recent history of Bulgaria and Central Europe. It has reached thousands of citizens through public outreach, online and offline, and it has worked with over 1,500 students in over 100 schools and more than 800 teachers across Bulgaria.

CERANEO is a think-and-do tank with a focus on social policy, which promotes innovative approaches and advocates for civic participation and a greater role for civil society. Since its establishment in 1995, CERANEO has been a key resource center for civil society development in Croatia. It analyzes civil-society-related legislative processes; promotes open, transparent, and responsive policymaking; organizes public discussions; and conducts civil-society-related advocacy work. For over ten years, CERANEO has been the Croatian national implementation and research partner in USAID’s CSO Sustainability Index.

The Via Foundation (VF) is an independent Czech community and philanthropy development foundation. VF supports CSOs and civic activists working collaboratively to improve their local communities. VF runs micro-grant programs for CSOs and engaged citizens of all ages, operates an online donation tool, and often combines grantmaking with capacity-building offers. Since its establishment in 1997, VF has supported more than 6,000 projects in one-fifth of all municipalities in Czechia.

The Power of Humanity Foundation (PHF) works for a democratic society where human rights and equal opportunities prevail, and it fights against the negative impact of shrinking space for civil society. For that purpose, it strengthens local communities, fosters public participation, and raises awareness of fundamental rights. PHF was established in 2006 and since then it has emerged as a key civic resource center outside of Hungary’s capital city Budapest.

Over the past 13 years, the Shipyard Foundation has worked to create and promote effective solutions to social problems, involving citizens in deciding on public matters, and helping organizations and local governments to plan and implement social activities. Toward this end, Shipyard pursues activities in three key areas: research and counselling, social innovation, and civic participation.

The Resource Center for Public Participation (CeRe) is a Romanian CSO established in 2006. CeRe’s work is rooted in the belief that the state should serve its citizens and respond to their concerns in public matters. Toward this vision, CeRe supports citizens, activists, informal groups, and CSOs in engaging public institutions and making civic voices heard. CeRe is engaged in community organizing, and it supports advocacy and activism to improve public participation.

Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia (PDCS) is a CSO providing education, capacity-building and facilitation services, consultancy, and counselling in the fields of conflict resolution, support of social dialogue, civic participation, and the development of civil society in Slovakia and abroad. PDCS’s mission is to educate people and activists to foster public participation. Since its founding in 1991, PDCS has focused on civil society development through training programs for CSOs and community leaders, contributing to civic actors’ strategic development, sustainability, self-financing, and fundraising.

SLOGA is a CSO platform working in the fields of international development cooperation, CSO capacity-building, civic education, and humanitarian aid. It was registered in 2006 as a legal entity by 19 nongovernmental organizations in Slovenia. SLOGA’s main goal is to enhance respect for human rights, equal opportunities, civic education, sustainable development, and the greater integration of vulnerable social groups into decision-making processes on development cooperation at home and abroad. Since 2015, SLOGA has been coordinating the work of Slovenian CSOs and humanitarian organizations in the context of the refugee crisis.

Program Description 

In spite of the attempts of populists and illiberal leaders to undermine the independence of judiciary, domestic and international courts often provide the most effective fora to contest discriminatory laws, challenge the dismantling of checks and balances, enforce freedom of information, and resist authoritarian legal engineering. Strategic litigation is a key asset in the toolkit of human rights and anti-corruption watchdogs to pursue the protection of fundamental rights, transparency, and liberal constitutionalism with legal means.     

For this reason, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated call for proposals. This funding opportunity aims to strengthen civil society watchdogs’ strategic litigation capabilities in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.   

Eligibility 

The call is open to CSOs and non-profit-making entities established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. CSOs applying must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon as well as a proven track record in human rights or transparency.  

Natural persons and for-profit entities are NOT eligible. Further, applicants can neither be affiliated entity(ies), nor associates, nor contractors of TF.

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 12 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to EUR 30,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to EUR 40,000 for cross-border projects. 

Project co-financing in the form of own contribution or other non-EU grants is welcomed, but not mandatory. Administrative costs (i.e., utilities, accounting, and financial management) cannot exceed 7% of the total grant amount.   

The available overall call budget is EUR 400,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations. 

Types of Eligible Activities:  

• Provide legal aid to marginalized communities and individuals affected by human rights violations.
• Strengthen the strategic litigation capabilities of organizations representing aggrieved parties and victims of human rights violations with systemic importance before courts.
• Strengthen the strategic litigation capabilities of organizations using freedom of information (FOI) laws in a strategic manner to maintain transparency and to assist citizens and CSOs in filing FOI requests and appealing against denials.
• Conduct workshops, seminars, or training to enhance CSOs’ legal expertise, with a special focus on available domestic, international, and European legal venues.
• Build complex communication and advocacy strategies around watchdogs’ existing litigation work. 

Important eligibility note: 

Activities on strategic litigation can be supported limited to capacity building, awareness raising activities, training, mutual learning and exchange of good practices and analytical activities. 

Court actions and direct litigation activities are not eligible for support under this action.  

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Cross-border activities involving other EU countries may be considered as well.  

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.   

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply. 

Application Process 

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by 24:00 (midnight) CET of September 1, 2024.  

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovak

Please use the call’s reference D3.4/D18-CfP-INT7 in the subject line of your application email. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your application. 

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages. 

• Application form (in both PDF and WORD format)
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.  

The selected projects could commence as early as January 1, 2025, and conclude no later than December 31, 2025. 

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted and calls participated in by one organization. 

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grantmaking program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected]. 

An information session for applicants was held on July 15, 2024. You may access the video recording of the session here, and the PowerPoint presentation here. 

Award Criteria 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including: 

• Demonstrated alignment with call objectives, quality of problem statement, needs assessment, and relevance in relation to those objectives. (10)
• Feasibility of goals, the action proposed and cost-effectiveness of the budget (5)
• Commitment to democratic values and fundamental rights (3)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions, focused on avoiding duplication. (3)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (2)
• Creative approaches and ability to base activities on insights gained from past experiences, both successes and failures. (2) 

All: 25 points 

Bonus points will be awarded based on:  

• The project’s activities take place in rural areas (+2), or in towns and regional capitals (+1). 

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 28 points. The eligibility threshold is 15 points. 

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single-stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in November 2024.  

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any other language version, the English language version shall prevail.  

This call for proposals was published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

Published on June 28, 2024

Enhancing Participation of Women in Political and Policy Processes through Awareness-raising and Advocacy

Program Description

Women and men should enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Yet political and social dynamics regularly challenge women’s participation in the making of political decisions and in public life, often with far-reaching consequences for women individually and collectively.

For this reason, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated call for proposals. This funding opportunity aims to support civil society organizations (CSOs) with the objective to empower women’s participation in civil society, politics, and public life in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Eligibility

The call is open to CSOs and non-profit-making entities established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. CSOs applying must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon as well as a proven track record in fostering women’s participation in the respective EU member states.

Natural persons and for-profit entities are NOT eligible. Further, applicants can neither be affiliated entity(ies), nor associates, nor contractors of TF.

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 18 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to EUR 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to EUR 40,000 for cross-border projects.

Project co-financing in the form of own contribution or other non-EU grants is welcomed, but not mandatory. Administrative costs (i.e., utilities, accounting, and financial management) cannot exceed 7% of the total grant amount.  

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations.

Types of Eligible Activities:

• Enhancing public participation of women through awareness-raising, advocacy, or educational campaigns
• Boosting and innovating civic engagement of women at the local, regional, or national level with special attention to their participation in public deliberation, political decision-making, and implementation or monitoring of policy processes
• Reaching out to new constituencies, attracting new activists, and responding to emerging needs
• Mobilizing constituencies in a sustainable way
• Furthering cross-sectoral cooperation of CSOs and strengthening networks of pro-democratic actors.

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities involving other EU or non-EU countries may be considered as well.

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.  

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by 24:00 (midnight) of November 1, 2023.

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Czech

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovak

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovenian

Please use the call’s reference D2.7/D8-CfP-INT2 in the subject line of your application email. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your application.

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages.

• Application form (in both PDF and WORD format)
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.

The earliest potential starting date of selected projects is February 1, 2024.

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted and calls participated in by one organization.

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grantmaking program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected].

An information session for applicants was held on September 28, 2023. You may access the video recording of the session here, and the PowerPoint presentation here.  

Award Criteria

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including:

• Relevance of the action (5 points)
• Quality of problems, needs, opportunities, and risks assessment (4 points)
• Feasibility of the goals, objectives, and timeframe (4 points)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions focused on avoiding duplication (3 points)
• Sustainability (3 points)
• Innovative approaches and lessons learnt (5 points)
• Effective outreach/communication/advocacy strategy (4 points)
• Quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan, including data collection (3 points)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (3 points)
• Commitment to EU values and fundamental rights (3 points)
• Relevance and cost-effectiveness of the action costs (5 points)

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 42 points. The eligibility threshold is 25 points.

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single-stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in January 2024.

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any other language version, the English language version shall prevail.

This call for proposals is published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Published on September 1, 2023.

Enhancing Participation of Vulnerable Groups in Political and Policy Processes through Awareness-raising and Advocacy

Program Description

People should enjoy equal rights and opportunities irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Yet political and social dynamics regularly challenge the participation of vulnerable groups in the making of political decisions and public life, often with far-reaching consequences for their members individually and collectively.

For this reason, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated call for proposals. This funding opportunity aims to support civil society organizations (CSOs) with the objective to empower participation of vulnerable groups in civil society, politics, and public life in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Eligibility

The call is open to CSOs and non-profit-making entities established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. CSOs applying must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon as well as a proven track record in fostering the civic participation of vulnerable groups in the respective EU member states.

Natural persons and for-profit entities are NOT eligible. Further, applicants can neither be affiliated entity(ies), nor associates, nor contractors of TF.

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 18 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to EUR 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to EUR 40,000 for cross-border projects.

Project co-financing in the form of own contribution or other non-EU grants is welcomed, but not mandatory. Administrative costs (i.e., utilities, accounting, and financial management) cannot exceed 7% of the total grant amount.  

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations.

Types of Eligible Activities:

• Enhancing public participation of vulnerable groups through awareness-raising, advocacy, or educational campaigns
• Boosting and innovating civic engagement of these groups at the local, regional, or national level with special attention to participation in public deliberation, political decision-making, and implementation or monitoring of policy processes
• Reaching out to new constituencies, attracting new activists, and responding to emerging needs
• Mobilizing constituencies in a sustainable way
• Furthering cross-sectoral cooperation of CSOs and strengthening networks of pro-democratic actors

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities involving other EU or non-EU countries may be considered as well.

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.  

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by 24:00 (midnight) of November 1, 2023.

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Czech

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovak

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovenian

Please use the call’s reference D2.8/D10-CfP-INT3 in the subject line of your application email. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your application.

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages.

• Application form (in both PDF and WORD format)
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.

The earliest potential starting date of selected projects is February 1, 2024.

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted and calls participated in by one organization.

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grantmaking program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected].

An information session for applicants was held on September 28, 2023. You may access the video recording of the session here, and the PowerPoint presentation here.  

Award Criteria

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including:

• Relevance of the action (5 points)
• Quality of problems, needs, opportunities, and risks assessment (4 points)
• Feasibility of the goals, objectives, and timeframe (4 points)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions focused on avoiding duplication (3 points)
• Sustainability (3 points)
• Innovative approaches and lessons learnt (5 points)
• Effective outreach/communication/advocacy strategy (4 points)
• Quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan, including data collection (3 points)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (3 points)
• Commitment to EU values and fundamental rights (3 points)
• Relevance and cost-effectiveness of the action costs (5 points)

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 42 points. The eligibility threshold is 25 points.

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single-stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in January 2024.

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any other language version, the English language version shall prevail.

This call for proposals is published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Published on September 1, 2023.

Supporting the Social Involvement of Children and Young People through Democracy Education and Participation-based Model Projects

Program Description

There is no democracy without democrats and therefore no future for democracy without next generations of democrats. The seeding of basic democratic attitudes and experiences among young people is crucially important against the backdrop of low institutionalization of democratic education in the official curricula and the growing illiberal trends in Central Europe in order to create social resilience against anti-democratic tendencies.

For this reason, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated call for proposals. This funding opportunity aims to support civil society organizations (CSOs) with the objective to foster the social involvement of children (aged 14+) and young people through democracy education and participation-based model projects in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Eligibility

The call is open to CSOs and non-profit-making entities established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. CSOs applying must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon as well as a proven track record in democracy education or youth work in the respective EU member states.

Organizations involving children in their activities must have a child protection policy compliant with the Keeping Children Safe - Child Safeguarding standards.

Natural persons and for-profit entities are NOT eligible. Further, applicants can neither be affiliated entity(ies), nor associates, nor contractors of TF.

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 18 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to EUR 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to EUR 40,000 for cross-border projects.

Project co-financing in the form of own contribution or other non-EU grants is welcomed, but not mandatory. Administrative costs (i.e., utilities, accounting, and financial management) cannot exceed 7% of the total grant amount.  

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations.

Types of Eligible Activities:

• Offering age-specific, participation-based democracy education projects for children (aged 14+) or young adults (18+)
• Fostering grassroots democratic processes for the representation of student interests within schools and beyond
• Creating networks of democratic youth groups for coordination, joint activities, and development of a shared democratic agenda
• Amplifying the voice of democratic youths through online and offline campaigns
• Amplify the voice of students in the process of education-related decision-making at school, local, regional or national level
• Enhancing the democratic and civic skills of children (aged 14+) and young adults through community-development-oriented volunteering and internship programs

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities involving other EU or non-EU countries may be considered as well.

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.  

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by 24:00 (midnight) of November 1, 2023.

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Czech

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovak

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovenian

Please use the call’s reference D2.9/D12-CfP-INT4 in the subject line of your application email. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your application.

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages.

• Application form (in both PDF and WORD format)
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor
• Child Protection Policy of the Applicant

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.

The earliest potential starting date of selected projects is February 1, 2024.

There is no limit on the number of applications submitted and calls participated in by one organization.

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grantmaking program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected].

An information session for applicants was held on September 28, 2023. You may access the video recording of the session here, and the PowerPoint presentation here.  

Award Criteria

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including:

• Relevance of the action (5 points)
• Quality of problems, needs, opportunities, and risks assessment (4 points)
• Feasibility of the goals, objectives, and timeframe (4 points)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions focused on avoiding duplication (3 points)
• Sustainability (3 points)
• Innovative approaches and lessons learnt (5 points)
• Effective outreach/communication/advocacy strategy (4 points)
• Quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan, including data collection (3 points)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (3 points)
• Commitment to EU values and fundamental rights (3 points)
• Relevance and cost-effectiveness of the action costs (5 points)

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 42 points. The eligibility threshold is 25 points.

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single-stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in January 2024.

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any other language version, the English language version shall prevail.

This call for proposals was published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Published on September 1, 2023.

Enhancing Online and Offline Forms of Citizen Participation in Public Deliberation and Democratic Processes 

Program Description 

Public trust in government is dropping across Central Europe, while citizens disengage and lose interest in democratic processes. Insufficient transparency, lack of open governance, and too little accountability of public officials result in low levels of civic engagement.  

In contrast, civil society and the enabling infrastructures it creates are crucial to counter the negative trends of low public participation and political apathy, to foster civic engagement, and to ensure the equal enjoyment of fundamental rights and EU values in society as a whole.  

For this reason, The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated Call for Proposals. This funding opportunity aims to support civil society organizations (CSOs) with the objective to enhance online and offline citizen participation in public deliberation and decision-making processes in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.   

Eligibility 

The call is open to non-profit-making CSOs established in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The CSO must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon, and a proven track record in fostering civic participation in the respective EU member states.  

Natural persons are NOT eligible. 

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 24 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to 40,000 for cross-border projects. 

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations. 

Types of Eligible Activities:  

• organization of inclusive online and offline participatory processes, frameworks, event series and other participatory formats
• organization of inclusive online and offline issue-driven or community-based dialogue formats or other deliberative platforms
• organization of civic platforms and civic dialogues, awareness raising, outreach, communication and public information campaigns through social media
• building coalitions and partnerships among CSOs, coordination and strategic cooperation between CSOs and other stakeholders, including public or private sector entities
• other online/offline forms of supporting civic engagement at the local, regional, or national level in public deliberation, political decision-making, and implementation or monitoring of policy processes 

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities with other EU member states may be considered as well.  

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.   

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply. 

Application Process 

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by July 15, 2023.  

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Czech

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovak

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovenian

Please use the call’s reference D2.6/D6-CfP-INT1 in the subject line of your application email.   

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages. 

• Application form
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor 

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.  

Selected projects are expected to start as early as September 1, 2023. 

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grant-making program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected]. 

An Info session on the currently open funding opportunities under PROTEUS (see section calls for proposals below) was held on June 8, 2023. The session was recorded and published on Engaging Central Europe YouTube Channel for further potential applicants. You may access the video recording here.  

Award Criteria 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including: 

• Relevance of the action (5 points)
• Quality of problems, needs, opportunities, and risks assessment (4 points)
• Feasibility of the goals, objectives, and timeframe (4 points)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions focused on avoiding duplication (3 points)
• Sustainability (3 points)
• Innovative approaches and lessons learnt (5 points)
• Effective outreach/communication/advocacy strategy (4 points)
• Quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan, including data collection (3 points)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (3 points)
• Commitment to EU values and fundamental rights (3 points)
• Relevance and cost-effectiveness of the action costs (5 points) 

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 42 points. The eligibility threshold is 25 points. 

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in August 2023.  

This Call for Proposal was published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

Strengthening the Presence of Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Watchdogs in Peripheral and Rural Areas

Program Description

Increasing political polarization of societies and deepening urban-rural and regional cleavages have a profound impact on democratic politics. To foster equal rights and opportunities and good governance for citizens irrespective of where they live within a country, the Transatlantic Foundation, in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Found of the United States, is launching a dedicated Call for Proposals. The objective of the call is to strengthen the presence of human rights and anti-corruption watchdog civil society organizations (CSOs) in peripheral and rural areas and to enhance advocacy for human rights and transparency in peripheries, along with stronger engagement of rural citizens in asserting their voices and rights, in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Eligibility 

The call is open to non-profit-making CSOs established in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The CSO must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon and have a proven track record in the protection of democracy, transparency, and human rights. 

Natural persons are NOT eligible. 

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 24 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to 40,000 for cross-border projects. 

The available overall call budget is EUR 300,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations. 

Types of Eligible Activities:  

• awareness raising and outreach activities; communication and public information
• organization of civic platforms and civic dialogues
• building coalitions and partnerships among CSOs; coordination and strategic cooperation between CSOs and other stakeholders, including public or private sector entities
• watchdog and monitoring activities
• advocacy to influence local or regional policy and decision-making processes
• organizational and operational development projects that aim at extending the presence and activities of established watchdog CSOs to peripheral and rural areas 

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Cross-border activities with other EU member states may be considered as well.  

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.   

Application Process 

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by July 15, 2023.  

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Czech

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovak

Call for proposals and application forms in Slovenian

Please use the call’s reference D4.3/D20-CfP-INT8 in the subject line of your application email.   

To submit a project proposal, CSOs must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages. 

• Application form
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor 

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.  

Selected projects are expected to start as early as September 1, 2023. 

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grant-making program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected]. 

An Info session on the currently open funding opportunities under PROTEUS (see section calls for proposals below) was held on June 8, 2023. The session was recorded and published on Engaging Central Europe YouTube Channel for further potential applicants. You may access the video recording here.  

Award Criteria 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including: 

• Relevance of the action (5 points)
• Quality of problems, needs, opportunities, and risks assessment (4 points)
• Feasibility of the goals, objectives, and timeframe (4 points)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions focused on avoiding duplication (3 points)
• Sustainability (3 points)
• Innovative approaches and lessons learnt (5 points)
• Effective outreach/communication/advocacy strategy (4 points)
• Quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan, including data collection (3 points)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (3 points)
• Commitment to EU values and fundamental rights (3 points)
• Relevance and cost-effectiveness of the action costs (5 points) 

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 42 points. The eligibility threshold is 25 points. 

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in August 2023.  

This Call for Proposal was published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

Supporting Civil Society Organizations’ Resilience in Shrinking Spaces 

Program Description

Civil society is a key advocate and main bulwark of democracy, fundamental rights, and European values but its capacity and reach has become severely limited by the shrinking of space for it in several EU member states in Central Europe. Instead of enjoying a supportive environment, civil society organizations (CSOs) in these countries are often publicly intimidated and challenged by insufficient resources and legal attacks.  

For this reason, the Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated Call for Proposals with the objective to support the organizational development and adaptation of watchdog, transparency, and inclusion CSOs in EU member states heavily affected by the shrinking space phenomenon, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. 

Eligibility 

The call is open to non-profit-making CSOs, established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The CSO must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon, and a proven track record in the protection of democracy, transparency, and human rights.  

Natural persons are NOT eligible. 

Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 24 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to 40,000 for cross-border projects. 

The available overall call budget is EUR 450,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations. 

Types of Eligible Activities:  

• organizational and operational development projects that aim at effective adaptation to the negative changes in the operational environment caused by the shrinking space phenomenon
• trainings increasing the IT security skills of CSO staff
• trainings increasing the psychological and emotional resilience of CSO staff to intimidation and other forms of psychological pressure
• awareness-raising campaigns and coalition building that may help adaptation of CSOs to an operational environment characterized by shrinking space 

The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Cross-border activities with other EU member states may be considered as well.  

Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.   

Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply. 

Application Process 

Project proposals must be sent to [email protected] by July 15, 2023.  

Call for proposals and application forms in Bulgarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Croatian

Call for proposals and application forms in Hungarian

Call for proposals and application forms in Polish

Call for proposals and application forms in Romanian

Please use the call’s reference D3.3/D16-CfP-INT6 in the subject line of your application email.   

To submit a project proposal, organizations must complete the forms below, in English or in one of the national languages. 

• Application form
• Budget form
• Declaration of honor 

Only proposals submitted using these forms will be considered.  

Selected projects are expected to start as early as September 1, 2023. 

To learn more about ECE’s ongoing grant-making program, civil society support, and democracy assistance work, please visit https://www.gmfus.org/grants/engaging-central-europe or email us at [email protected]. 

An Info session on the currently open funding opportunities under PROTEUS (see section calls for proposals below) was held on June 8, 2023. The session was recorded and published on Engaging Central Europe YouTube Channel for further potential applicants. You may access the video recording here. 

Award Criteria 

Project proposals will be evaluated based on a standard set of award criteria, including: 

• Relevance of the action (5 points)
• Quality of problems, needs, opportunities, and risks assessment (4 points)
• Feasibility of the goals, objectives, and timeframe (4 points)
• Synergies of proposed action with other publicly or privately funded actions focused on avoiding duplication (3 points)
• Sustainability (3 points)
• Innovative approaches and lessons learnt (5 points)
• Effective outreach/communication/advocacy strategy (4 points)
• Quality of the monitoring and evaluation plan, including data collection (3 points)
• Capability, organizational knowledge, and technical expertise of the applicant (3 points)
• Commitment to EU values and fundamental rights (3 points)
• Relevance and cost-effectiveness of the action costs (5 points) 

The maximum score of a successful proposal is 42 points. The eligibility threshold is 25 points. 

Applications will be evaluated and selected by experts affiliated with TF within the frame of a single stage call. Information on the evaluation results will be communicated to applicants and presented on this website in August 2023.  

This Call for Proposal was published as part of the EU CERV program PROTEUS by the Transatlantic Foundation and is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Transatlantic Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.