Applications open for Project Grants (Czech Republic)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

AI Snippet Summary (2–3 sentences)

The EEA Civil Society Fund Project Grants Call supports civil society organisations in the Czech Republic working on democracy, human rights, inclusion, and organisational sustainability. Grants range from €25,001 to €100,000 (and up to €80,000 for organisational development) for projects lasting 18–36 months. The programme prioritises systemic democratic strengthening, inclusion of marginalised groups, and responses to challenges like disinformation, civic exclusion, and declining trust in institutions.

What is the EEA Civil Society Fund Project Grants Call?

The EEA Civil Society Fund Project Grants Call is a large-scale funding programme designed to strengthen democratic systems, human rights protection, and civil society capacity in the Czech Republic.

It supports long-term civil society initiatives that focus on:

• Democracy and rule of law
• Human rights and social justice
• Civic participation and engagement
• Civil society sustainability and resilience
• Inclusion of marginalised communities

The programme aims to build a more inclusive, transparent, and democratic society.

Key Objectives of the Programme

Strengthening Democracy and Rule of Law

• Support democratic institutions and values
• Increase citizen participation in governance
• Strengthen accountability and transparency

Human Rights and Social Justice

• Anti-discrimination initiatives
• Protection of fundamental rights
• Promotion of equality and inclusion

Civic Engagement and Participation

• Encourage active civic participation
• Strengthen collaboration between CSOs and public authorities
• Improve democratic dialogue

Information Integrity and Media Literacy

• Counter disinformation and hate speech
• Improve media literacy and digital skills
• Strengthen independent journalism

Gender Equality and Inclusion

• Promote gender equality
• Support sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
• Advance LGBTIQ+ rights
• Prevent gender-based violence

Environmental and Climate Action

• Support climate action initiatives
• Promote environmental protection
• Ensure just green transition

Civil Society Development

• Strengthen organisational capacity of CSOs
• Improve sustainability and governance
• Create enabling conditions for civil society

Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups

• Roma communities (including Roma women and girls and Roma-led organisations)
• Migrants
• LGBTIQ+ individuals
• Women and people at risk of violence
• Youth and socially excluded groups

Ukraine-Related Challenges

• Support responses to the impact of the invasion of Ukraine
• Strengthen integration and inclusion efforts

Funding Details

• Total budget: €5,960,000
• Grant size: €25,001–€100,000 (general grants)
• Organisational development grants: €25,001–€80,000
• Project duration: 18, 24, or 36 months
• Co-financing: Not required
• Project start: January or April 2027
• Location: Czech Republic

Types of Grants Available

1. General Project Grants

Focus on:

• Democracy strengthening
• Human rights protection
• Civic engagement
• Media literacy and information integrity

2. Organisational Development Grants

Focus on:

• Internal capacity building
• Governance and sustainability
• Long-term institutional strengthening

3. Roma Empowerment Grants

Focus on:

• Roma inclusion and participation
• Support for Roma-led organisations
• Empowerment of Roma women and girls

4. Ukraine Response Grants

Focus on:

• Support for displaced and affected populations
• Integration and social inclusion initiatives

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must meet ALL criteria:

Legal Requirements

• Non-profit civil society organisations

Independence Requirement

Must be independent from:

• Government (local, regional, central)
• Political parties
• Public institutions
• Commercial entities

Eligible Organisation Types

• Associations
• Institutes
• Public benefit corporations
• Foundations and endowment funds
• Interest associations of legal entities
• Religious organisation-linked entities meeting eligibility conditions

Programme Focus Areas in Practice

The programme supports initiatives that:

• Improve cooperation between civil society and public authorities
• Strengthen democratic participation mechanisms
• Enhance independent journalism and media literacy
• Combat disinformation and hate speech
• Support inclusion of disadvantaged communities
• Build long-term civil society resilience

Why This Programme Matters

This funding is important because it:

• Strengthens democratic institutions and governance
• Reduces social exclusion and inequality
• Protects human rights and fundamental freedoms
• Improves trust in public institutions
• Supports vulnerable and marginalised communities
• Builds sustainable and independent civil society systems

It focuses on long-term systemic improvement rather than short-term projects.

Priority Groups

The programme prioritises support for:

• Roma communities
• LGBTIQ+ people
• Women and survivors of gender-based violence
• Migrants and displaced persons (including Ukraine-related cases)
• Youth and socially excluded populations

How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify Strategic Need

• Define a structural issue in democracy or human rights
• Align with programme priority areas

Step 2: Develop Project Design

Include:

• Clear objectives and outcomes
• Target groups and impact strategy
• Timeline (18–36 months)
• Budget and resource plan

Step 3: Confirm Eligibility

• CSO legal status in Czech Republic
• Independence from government and political entities
• Organisational compliance with eligibility rules

Step 4: Submit Application

• Prepare detailed proposal
• Include budget and implementation plan
• Select grant type (general, organisational, Roma, Ukraine-related)

Step 5: Evaluation Process

Applications are assessed based on:

• Relevance to democracy and human rights
• Expected social and systemic impact
• Inclusion of vulnerable groups
• Organisational capacity and feasibility
• Contribution to civil society resilience

Step 6: Implementation

• Funding awarded for 18–36 months
• Monitoring and reporting required
• Collaboration with stakeholders encouraged

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak alignment with systemic change goals
• Short-term or project-only focus
• Missing independence requirements
• Poorly defined target groups or impact
• Unclear long-term sustainability strategy
• Lack of focus on inclusion or vulnerable groups

Tips for a Strong Application

• Emphasize systemic and long-term impact
• Clearly define vulnerable and priority groups
• Build strong partnerships with stakeholders
• Include measurable outcomes and indicators
• Align with democracy, rights, and inclusion goals
• Ensure strong organisational capacity plan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the funding range?

€25,001 to €100,000 depending on project type.

2. What is the project duration?

18, 24, or 36 months.

3. Is co-financing required?

No, co-financing is not required.

4. Who can apply?

Non-profit civil society organisations in the Czech Republic.

5. What are the main focus areas?

Democracy, human rights, inclusion, climate action, and civil society strengthening.

6. Which groups are prioritised?

Roma communities, LGBTIQ+ people, migrants, women, and vulnerable groups.

7. When do projects start?

January or April 2027.

Conclusion

The EEA Civil Society Fund Project Grants Call is a major funding initiative aimed at strengthening democracy, human rights, and civil society resilience in the Czech Republic. By supporting long-term projects of up to €100,000 over 18–36 months, it enables organisations to address systemic challenges, empower marginalised groups, and build a more inclusive and democratic society.

For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.