Deadline: 29-Jun-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with financial support from the European Union (EU), is inviting community-based organisations to submit proposals under the EU4Dialogue Phase II initiative. The programme supports locally driven projects that promote peacebuilding, resilience, and socio-economic recovery in conflict-affected communities across the South Caucasus.
Building on the achievements of the first phase, EU4Dialogue Phase II aims to strengthen human security, improve living conditions, foster dialogue, and create enabling conditions for sustainable peace through inclusive and community-led initiatives.
About the Program
EU4Dialogue Phase II supports projects that address the needs of conflict-affected communities while promoting social cohesion, dialogue, and resilience.
The programme focuses on:
- Youth, peace, and security
- Women’s empowerment
- Disability rights and inclusive infrastructure
- Healthcare and education
- Environment, climate, and energy
- Trauma healing and psychosocial support
- Social cohesion and confidence-building
- Digital inclusion
- Transport and local connectivity
- Community resilience and recovery
The initiative encourages projects that combine practical interventions with community engagement and participation.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Promote sustainable peace and social cohesion
- Strengthen community resilience in conflict-affected areas
- Improve the well-being of vulnerable populations
- Foster dialogue and confidence-building across conflict divides
- Enhance human security and living conditions
- Support socio-economic recovery efforts
- Increase community participation in local development
- Promote inclusion and equal opportunities
- Strengthen local capacities and knowledge sharing
- Encourage cooperation among diverse communities
Projects should demonstrate clear benefits for affected populations and contribute to long-term peacebuilding efforts.
Priority Areas
Proposed activities may address one or more of the following areas:
- Youth leadership and participation
- Women’s empowerment initiatives
- Disability inclusion and accessibility
- Healthcare services and awareness
- Education and learning opportunities
- Environmental sustainability
- Climate and energy solutions
- Trauma healing and psychosocial support
- Community dialogue and reconciliation
- Digital literacy and inclusion
- Local transport and connectivity improvements
- Awareness-raising campaigns
- Capacity-building and training activities
- Community engagement and participation
Projects that combine multiple approaches to address local needs are encouraged.
Target Communities
The programme prioritises activities benefiting:
- Communities affected by conflict across the South Caucasus
- Communities located near dividing lines
- Internally displaced persons
- Returnees
- Refugees
- Host communities
- Women-headed households
- Young people
- Persons with disabilities
- Marginalised and excluded groups
Special consideration will be given to initiatives that address barriers faced by vulnerable populations.
Funding Information
Under the grant scheme:
- Individual grants will range from USD 23,000 to USD 90,000.
- Funding supports projects that promote peacebuilding, resilience, and inclusive development.
- Administrative and personnel-related costs must not exceed 25% of the total project budget.
Eligible administrative and operational expenses may include:
- Salaries and personnel costs
- Travel expenses
- Office-related expenses
- Operational costs directly linked to project implementation
These costs must remain within the prescribed budget ceiling.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Locally registered non-commercial organisations
- Locally registered non-profit organisations
- Community-based organisations with relevant experience
- Organisations with demonstrated engagement in conflict-affected communities
- Organisations with sufficient administrative and technical capacity to manage grant-funded activities
- Organisations experienced in peacebuilding, social inclusion, and support for disadvantaged groups
Unregistered grassroots organisations may participate by:
- Partnering with an eligible registered organisation.
Individual applicants are not eligible.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support activities such as:
- Community dialogue initiatives
- Peacebuilding programmes
- Training workshops and capacity-building activities
- Awareness-raising campaigns
- Knowledge-sharing initiatives
- Social cohesion activities
- Psychosocial support interventions
- Youth engagement programmes
- Women’s leadership initiatives
- Disability inclusion activities
- Community resilience projects
- Digital inclusion programmes
- Local development interventions
- Confidence-building measures across conflict divides
Projects should demonstrate practical relevance and respond to identified community needs.
Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Land purchases
- Building purchases
- Used equipment
- Debt servicing
- Maintenance costs
- Indirect costs
- Scholarships
- Luxury goods
- Activities already financed through other EU or UNDP-supported programmes
Applicants should ensure that proposed budgets comply with all funding restrictions.
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Eligibility of the applicant
- Relevance to programme objectives
- Understanding of local needs
- Conservation and peacebuilding relevance
- Scientific and technical soundness of the approach
- Clarity of project objectives
- Quality of methodology
- Feasibility of implementation
- Innovation and creativity
- Potential for scalability
- Inclusion of vulnerable groups
- Potential to achieve measurable outcomes
- Contribution to dialogue and confidence-building
Projects demonstrating strong community ownership and sustainable impact will be viewed favourably.
Expected Outcomes
Supported initiatives should contribute to:
- Increased community resilience
- Improved social cohesion
- Enhanced confidence and trust among communities
- Greater participation of women and youth
- Better support for vulnerable groups
- Stronger local capacities
- Improved access to inclusive services
- Increased opportunities for dialogue
- Sustainable peacebuilding outcomes
- Improved well-being in conflict-affected communities
The programme encourages initiatives that generate meaningful and lasting change.
Why This Program Matters
Communities affected by conflict often face long-term social, economic, and psychological challenges that hinder recovery and development. Locally led initiatives play a critical role in rebuilding trust, restoring opportunities, and strengthening resilience.
EU4Dialogue Phase II recognises the importance of empowering communities to shape their own recovery processes. By supporting inclusive and practical interventions, the programme contributes to sustainable peace, stronger social connections, and improved quality of life across the South Caucasus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of EU4Dialogue Phase II?
- The programme supports peacebuilding, resilience, and socio-economic recovery initiatives in conflict-affected communities across the South Caucasus.
Who can apply for funding?
- Locally registered non-commercial and non-profit organisations with relevant experience and capacity.
Can unregistered grassroots groups participate?
- Yes. They may participate by partnering with an eligible registered organisation.
How much funding is available?
- Individual grants range from USD 23,000 to USD 90,000.
Which communities are prioritised?
- Conflict-affected communities, displaced persons, returnees, refugees, host communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Are there limits on administrative expenses?
- Yes. Administrative and personnel-related costs must not exceed 25% of the total project budget.
What types of expenses are not eligible?
- Funding cannot be used for land or building purchases, used equipment, debt servicing, maintenance costs, indirect costs, scholarships, luxury goods, or activities already financed by other EU or UNDP programmes.
Conclusion
EU4Dialogue Phase II provides community-based organisations with an opportunity to implement locally driven initiatives that foster peace, strengthen resilience, and support inclusive development in conflict-affected areas of the South Caucasus. Through support for dialogue, social cohesion, and practical interventions, the programme aims to empower communities to overcome challenges, improve well-being, and build a foundation for sustainable peace.
For more information, visit UNDP.
