Applications open for Organizational Grants (Slovenia)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Call for Organizational Grants supports civil society organizations in Slovenia by strengthening their long-term strategic development, internal capacity, and work in key areas of social progress. The call focuses on democracy, rule of law, human rights, media literacy, gender equality, and environmental protection.

A total of €1,200,000 is available, with grants ranging from €120,000 to €180,000. The funding is aimed at eligible NGOs with several years of experience, clear organizational strategies, and measurable plans for capacity building and programme development.

What is the Call for Organizational Grants?

The Call for Organizational Grants is a funding opportunity launched by the Civil Society Fund Slovenia.

The call supports non-governmental organizations working in priority areas that contribute to democratic participation, social progress, public engagement, and protection of rights.

The funding is designed to help organizations strengthen their long-term strategic goals and improve internal systems, sustainability, and organizational performance.

Main Purpose of the Grant

The main purpose of the grant is to support the strategic development and organizational capacity of experienced civil society organizations.

The grant aims to:

• Strengthen civil society organizations
• Support long-term organizational development
• Improve internal management capacity
• Help NGOs achieve strategic goals
• Support public engagement
• Promote democratic values
• Strengthen work in human rights, gender equality, media literacy, and environmental protection
• Improve sustainability, visibility, transparency, and supporter engagement

Priority Focus Areas

The call supports organizations working in key areas of civic and social development.

Priority focus areas include:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Human rights
• Media literacy
• Gender equality
• Environmental protection

Applicants should clearly show how their organizational work contributes to one or more of these priority areas.

Funding Amount

A total funding amount of €1,200,000 is available under this call.

Grant amounts range from €120,000 to €180,000.

The annualized value of the requested grant cannot exceed 50% of the applicant’s average annual turnover.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants are non-governmental organizations that meet the required legal, financial, and organizational conditions.

Applicants must:

• Meet the requirements under the Slovenian Non-Governmental Organisations Act
• Comply with Civil Society Fund Programme Agreement requirements
• Have the required organizational experience
• Meet the required financial conditions
• Have a multi-year organizational work plan or strategy
• Work in one or more priority areas

Lot 1 Eligibility Requirements

Under Lot 1, eligible NGOs must meet specific registration, income, and planning requirements.

Applicants must:

• Have been legally registered for at least 36 months before the application deadline
• Have an average annual income between €70,000 and €200,000 over the last three completed financial years
• Maintain a multi-year organizational work plan or strategy

Lot 1 is designed for established NGOs with moderate annual income and clear organizational development plans.

Lot 2 Eligibility Requirements

Under Lot 2, eligible NGOs must also meet registration, income, and planning requirements.

Applicants must:

• Have been legally registered for at least 36 months before the application deadline
• Have an average annual income exceeding €200,000 over the last three completed financial years
• Maintain a multi-year organizational work plan or strategy

Lot 2 is intended for larger NGOs with stronger financial scale and long-term strategic capacity.

Required Organizational Strategy

Applicants must submit a multi-year organizational plan or strategy.

The strategy must cover both:

• Programme activities
• Organizational development areas

The plan should show how the organization will strengthen its capacities, improve its systems, and achieve its goals over time.

Organizational Development Areas

Applicants should address key areas of institutional growth and capacity building.

These may include:

• Human resources management
• Fundraising
• Communication
• Transparency
• Visibility
• Supporter engagement
• Internal systems
• Governance and leadership
• Organizational sustainability
• Monitoring and evaluation

Measurable Annual Indicators

The strategy must include measurable annual indicators.

These indicators should show how the organization will track progress toward its goals.

Indicators may relate to:

• Programme results
• Organizational capacity improvements
• Fundraising progress
• Staff and volunteer development
• Public engagement
• Communication reach
• Transparency practices
• Supporter growth
• Environmental, rights-based, or social impact outcomes

What Types of Support Are Provided?

The call focuses on organizational and capacity-building support.

Funding may help NGOs:

• Strengthen internal systems
• Improve strategic planning
• Build fundraising capacity
• Develop communication and visibility
• Improve human resource management
• Strengthen supporter engagement
• Enhance programme delivery
• Improve transparency and accountability
• Support long-term sustainability

Key Concepts Explained

Organizational Grant

An organizational grant supports the overall development, capacity, and sustainability of an organization rather than only one short-term project.

Civil Society Organization

A civil society organization is a non-governmental group that works to represent public interests, promote rights, support communities, or engage citizens in social and public issues.

Rule of Law

Rule of law means that laws are applied fairly, institutions are accountable, and rights are protected through transparent legal systems.

Media Literacy

Media literacy is the ability to access, evaluate, understand, and use information critically and responsibly.

Organizational Capacity

Organizational capacity refers to an NGO’s ability to manage people, funding, systems, partnerships, communication, governance, and programme delivery effectively.

Expected Results

Funded organizations should become stronger, more sustainable, and better able to deliver long-term public benefit.

Expected results may include:

• Stronger organizational strategies
• Improved internal management systems
• Better fundraising capacity
• Stronger communication and visibility
• Increased transparency
• Improved supporter engagement
• Stronger programme delivery
• Increased impact in priority areas
• More sustainable civil society organizations
• Better ability to achieve long-term strategic goals

Why It Matters

Civil society organizations play an important role in strengthening democracy, protecting human rights, promoting equality, improving media literacy, and addressing environmental challenges.

However, long-term impact requires strong organizations with clear strategies, stable systems, skilled teams, and sustainable resources.

This grant helps experienced NGOs move beyond short-term project delivery and invest in the organizational capacity needed to create lasting public value.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a strong organizational proposal supported by a clear multi-year strategy.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the applicant qualifies as an NGO under Slovenian requirements.
2. Check compliance with Civil Society Fund Programme Agreement requirements.
3. Confirm that the organization has been legally registered for at least 36 months.
4. Identify whether the organization fits Lot 1 or Lot 2.
5. Calculate the average annual income over the last three completed financial years.
6. Ensure the requested annualized grant value does not exceed 50% of average annual turnover.
7. Prepare a multi-year organizational plan or strategy.
8. Include both programme activities and organizational development goals.
9. Add measurable annual indicators.
10. Explain how the grant will strengthen long-term capacity.
11. Submit the application according to the official call requirements.

Assessment Considerations

Applications should demonstrate strong organizational readiness and clear alignment with the call’s objectives.

Assessment may consider:

• Eligibility under the Slovenian Non-Governmental Organisations Act
• Alignment with priority focus areas
• Strength of organizational experience
• Quality of the multi-year strategy
• Clear capacity-building goals
• Measurable annual indicators
• Financial eligibility and turnover limits
• Realistic use of funding
• Potential to strengthen long-term sustainability
• Contribution to civil society and public engagement

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly show how the grant will strengthen the organization as a whole.

Applicants should focus on:

• Clear strategic goals
• Strong link to priority focus areas
• Evidence of organizational experience
• Realistic capacity-building plan
• Strong financial planning
• Measurable annual indicators
• Clear explanation of internal development needs
• Strong plans for fundraising and sustainability
• Practical improvements in communication, transparency, and supporter engagement
• Long-term public benefit

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check all eligibility and strategy requirements before applying.

Common mistakes include:

• Applying without meeting the 36-month registration requirement
• Choosing the wrong lot
• Not meeting the required income range
• Requesting an annualized grant amount above 50% of average annual turnover
• Submitting a weak or incomplete multi-year strategy
• Focusing only on activities without organizational development
• Not including measurable annual indicators
• Failing to show work in priority areas
• Providing unclear financial information
• Not explaining how capacities will be strengthened

FAQ

What is the Call for Organizational Grants?

It is a funding call launched by the Civil Society Fund Slovenia to support the strategic development and organizational capacity of civil society organizations.

What are the priority areas?

The priority areas are democracy, rule of law, human rights, media literacy, gender equality, and environmental protection.

How much funding is available?

A total of €1,200,000 is available under the call.

What is the grant size?

Grants range from €120,000 to €180,000.

Who can apply under Lot 1?

Lot 1 is open to NGOs legally registered for at least 36 months, with average annual income between €70,000 and €200,000 over the last three completed financial years, and a multi-year organizational strategy.

Who can apply under Lot 2?

Lot 2 is open to NGOs legally registered for at least 36 months, with average annual income exceeding €200,000 over the last three completed financial years, and a multi-year organizational strategy.

What must the organizational strategy include?

The strategy must cover programme activities and organizational development areas, such as human resources, fundraising, communication, transparency, visibility, and supporter engagement, with measurable annual indicators.

Conclusion

The Call for Organizational Grants supports experienced civil society organizations in Slovenia by funding long-term strategic development and capacity building. With a total budget of €1,200,000 and grants ranging from €120,000 to €180,000, the call helps NGOs strengthen their systems, sustainability, public engagement, and impact in key areas of democracy, rights, equality, media literacy, and environmental protection.

Strong applications will demonstrate eligibility, a clear multi-year strategy, measurable annual indicators, financial readiness, and a strong plan for strengthening organizational capacity and achieving long-term social progress.

For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.