Deadline: 13-May-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals to strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ethiopia as key actors in inclusive governance, sustainable development, and Global Gateway investment processes. The call has a total indicative budget of EUR 5,829,000, split equally across two lots, and supports large-scale actions that improve civil society capacity, policy engagement, transparency, accountability, and participation in priority investment sectors.
Overview
This European Commission call aims to reinforce the role of Ethiopian civil society organisations as independent, resilient, and accountable actors contributing to governance reform and sustainable socio-economic development.
The programme also aligns with the EU Global Gateway strategy, which promotes investment and partnerships in areas such as:
The overall goal is to ensure that civil society has a stronger voice in governance, public accountability, community participation, and investment-related processes.
Programme Focus
The call supports actions that strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and influence of CSOs in Ethiopia.
Priority areas include:
- Strengthening civil society organisational capacity
- Improving policy engagement, advocacy, and networking
- Promoting transparency and accountability
- Supporting inclusive and sustainable local development
- Building institutional and organisational effectiveness
- Protecting civic space and enabling environments
- Strengthening governance in Global Gateway priority sectors
- Improving oversight of investment processes
- Empowering communities and CSO networks
- Supporting skills development and employability
- Expanding equitable access to socio-economic opportunities
Cross-cutting expectations include:
- Meaningful youth engagement
- Human rights-based approach
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Funding Information
- Total indicative budget: EUR 5,829,000
- Number of lots: 2
- Budget per lot: EUR 2,914,500
The funding is intended for large-scale, integrated actions that address several priority areas in a coherent and well-structured way.
Lots Under the Call
Lot 1: Strengthening Civil Society Capacity and Enabling Environment
This lot supports actions focused on strengthening civil society and improving the conditions for their participation in governance.
Key priorities include:
- Enhancing policy influence
- Strengthening advocacy and networking
- Supporting community engagement
- Improving organisational effectiveness
- Protecting civic space
- Building trust between civil society and public institutions
Lot 2: Civil Society Engagement in Global Gateway Priority Sectors
This lot focuses on strengthening CSO engagement in sectors linked to the EU Global Gateway agenda.
Key priorities include:
- Improving governance and regulatory frameworks
- Promoting transparency and accountability in investment processes
- Supporting meaningful participation of communities
- Ensuring inclusion of marginalised groups, especially:
- Women
- Youth
- Strengthening skills development
- Improving employability
- Expanding access to opportunities linked to key investment sectors
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must be non-profit civil society organisations or civil society networks.
Eligible applicants may be established in:
- The European Union
- Ethiopia
- Other eligible countries under the relevant EU regulation
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a non-profit CSO or CSO network
- Be legally established in an eligible country
- Demonstrate experience managing large EU-funded grants
- Show experience working with local civil society organisations
- Demonstrate capacity to implement financial support to third parties (sub-granting or regranting mechanisms)
What Makes a Strong Proposal?
The Commission is likely to favour proposals that:
- Address multiple priority areas in an integrated way
- Show strong understanding of Ethiopia’s civil society landscape
- Demonstrate credible partnerships with local CSOs
- Include clear systems for third-party financial support
- Integrate gender, youth, and human rights throughout the action
- Show strong governance, compliance, and grant management capacity
- Align clearly with either Lot 1 or Lot 2 priorities
Why This Call Matters
This is a major opportunity for civil society organisations because it:
- Supports institutional strengthening of CSOs
- Expands civil society participation in governance and development
- Encourages accountability in large investment processes
- Links local civil society to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy
- Promotes inclusion of women, youth, and marginalised communities
- Provides substantial funding for large-scale systemic interventions
How to Prepare a Strong Application
To improve your proposal:
- Choose the correct lot based on your core expertise
- Build a strong case for CSO leadership and local ownership
- Demonstrate prior experience with EU compliance and grant management
- Clearly explain your sub-granting/financial support to third parties approach
- Integrate gender equality, youth participation, and rights-based methods across all activities
- Show how your action will improve transparency, accountability, or policy influence
- Present realistic partnerships and implementation structures in Ethiopia
FAQ
1. What is the total budget for this European Commission call?
The total indicative budget is EUR 5,829,000.
2. How many lots are included?
There are 2 lots, each with EUR 2,914,500.
3. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are non-profit civil society organisations or CSO networks established in:
- The EU
- Ethiopia
- Other eligible countries under the applicable EU rules
4. What does Lot 1 support?
Lot 1 supports:
- Civil society capacity strengthening
- Policy engagement
- Advocacy
- Organisational effectiveness
- Civic space protection
- Governance participation
5. What does Lot 2 support?
Lot 2 supports:
- CSO engagement in Global Gateway priority sectors
- Transparency and accountability in investment processes
- Governance frameworks
- Community participation
- Skills development and employability
- Inclusion of women and youth
6. Is this only for Ethiopian organisations?
No. Applicants may also be established in the European Union or other eligible countries, provided they meet the call’s legal and operational requirements.
7. Do applicants need prior EU grant experience?
Yes. Applicants are expected to demonstrate experience in:
- Managing large EU-funded grants
- Working with local civil society
- Implementing financial support to third parties
Final Takeaway
The European Commission’s Ethiopia CSO Call for Proposals 2026 is a significant funding opportunity for non-profit civil society organisations and networks working on inclusive governance, sustainable development, and accountability in investment processes.
With EUR 5.829 million available across two lots, the call is best suited for experienced organisations that can manage large EU grants, work closely with local civil society, and deliver integrated, rights-based, gender-responsive actions in Ethiopia.
For more information, visit European Commission (EC).