Call for Democracy, Human Rights, and Civil Society Development (Czech Republic)

The EEA Civil Society Fund Bilateral Initiatives Call supports cooperation between civil society organisations (CSOs) in the Czech Republic and the EEA Donor States of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The programme provides grants of €2,000 to €10,000 for projects that strengthen democracy, human rights, civic participation, organisational development, environmental action, and long-term civil society cooperation.

Overview of the EEA Civil Society Fund Bilateral Initiatives Programme

The EEA Civil Society Fund supports partnerships between civil society organisations working in the Czech Republic and organisations from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The programme aims to build stronger cross-border cooperation by enabling organisations to:

• Exchange knowledge and expertise.
• Share innovative practices.
• Develop joint initiatives.
• Strengthen democratic participation.
• Improve civil society capacity.

The initiative contributes to a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable civil society sector.

Purpose of the Grant Programme

The main objectives of the programme are to:

• Strengthen bilateral cooperation among civil society organisations.
• Promote democracy and the rule of law.
• Protect human rights.
• Increase civic participation.
• Support equality and social justice.
• Improve the sustainability of civil society organisations.

The programme encourages long-term partnerships rather than one-time cooperation activities.

Funding Amount and Duration

Available grant amount:

€2,000 to €10,000 per initiative

Project duration:

2 to 12 months

Total available funding allocation:

€150,000

Co-financing requirement:

No co-financing required

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organisations established in the Czech Republic.
• Civil society organisations established in Iceland.
• Civil society organisations established in Liechtenstein.
• Civil society organisations established in Norway.

Applicants must:

• Have been active for at least one year.
• Work in areas covered by the programme priorities.
• Apply through an eligible partnership.

Partnership Requirement

Every application must include:

• At least one eligible organisation from the Czech Republic.
• At least one eligible organisation from one of the Donor States:
  • Iceland.
  • Liechtenstein.
  • Norway.

The partnership should demonstrate opportunities for:

• Knowledge exchange.
• Capacity development.
• Joint learning.
• Long-term cooperation.

Key Focus Areas

Democracy, Human Rights and Rule of Law

Projects may support:

• Democratic participation.
• Human rights protection.
• Civic engagement.
• Strengthening civil society involvement in decision-making.

Civil Society Development

The programme supports activities that improve:

• Organisational capacity.
• Leadership skills.
• Strategic development.
• Institutional sustainability.
• The enabling environment for civil society.

Information Integrity and Media Literacy

Supported activities may address:

• Misinformation.
• Media literacy.
• Access to reliable information.
• Public awareness.

Anti-Discrimination and Social Justice

Projects may focus on:

• Equality.
• Inclusion.
• Protection of vulnerable groups.
• Reducing discrimination.

Gender Equality and Sexual Rights

The programme supports work related to:

• Gender equality.
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
• Prevention of gender-based violence.
• Protection of LGBTIQ+ rights.

Climate Action and Environmental Protection

Projects may include:

• Climate awareness.
• Environmental protection.
• Green transition.
• Sustainable practices.

Roma Inclusion and Social Inclusion

Country-specific priorities include:

• Inclusion and empowerment of Roma communities.
• Increasing participation of marginalised groups.

Ukraine-Related Challenges

The programme also supports initiatives addressing challenges connected with:

• The impacts of the invasion of Ukraine.
• Community responses.
• Civil society support efforts.

Supported Activities

The grant supports activities that strengthen bilateral cooperation, including:

Partnership Development

Examples:

• Matchmaking events.
• Partnership-building activities.
• Joint planning sessions.

Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building

Examples:

• Expert exchanges.
• Internships.
• Secondments.
• Study visits.
• Short-term training.
• Workshops.
• Seminars.

Research and Knowledge Products

Examples:

• Data collection.
• Reports.
• Studies.
• Publications.
• Documentation activities.

Networking and Awareness Activities

Examples:

• International network participation.
• Joint events.
• Exhibitions.
• Campaigns.
• Promotional activities.

Eligible Costs

Grant funding may cover costs directly connected to project implementation.

Eligible expenses include:

• Staff costs.
• Travel expenses.
• Accommodation.
• Daily allowances.
• Expert fees.
• Translation and interpretation.
• Studies and research.
• Publications.
• Promotional materials.
• External consultations.
• Travel insurance.
• Audit costs for eligible Donor State organisations.
• Other necessary project-related expenses.

Why It Matters

Civil society organisations play an important role in protecting democratic values and strengthening communities.

This funding helps organisations:

• Build international partnerships.
• Share successful approaches.
• Improve organisational skills.
• Increase public participation.
• Promote equality and human rights.
• Develop solutions to social and environmental challenges.

How to Apply

Step 1: Build an Eligible Partnership

Applicants should identify a partner organisation from:

• Czech Republic.
• Iceland.
• Liechtenstein.
• Norway.

The partnership should have shared goals and complementary expertise.

Step 2: Define the Initiative

Applicants should develop a project focused on:

• Civil society cooperation.
• Democracy.
• Human rights.
• Social inclusion.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Organisational development.

Step 3: Prepare Project Activities

Applications should describe:

• Objectives.
• Planned activities.
• Expected results.
• Partnership roles.
• Timeline.
• Budget.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Applicants must submit:

• Organisation details.
• Partnership information.
• Project proposal.
• Activity plan.
• Financial information.

Applications must demonstrate clear cooperation between participating organisations.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without an eligible partner organisation.
• Proposing activities unrelated to programme priorities.
• Creating short-term activities without long-term cooperation goals.
• Providing unclear budgets.
• Failing to explain the value of bilateral cooperation.

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong proposal should:

• Clearly explain the partnership benefits.
• Show knowledge exchange opportunities.
• Include realistic activities and timelines.
• Demonstrate long-term impact.
• Connect activities with democratic and social values.
• Highlight organisational learning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the EEA Civil Society Fund Bilateral Initiatives Grant?

It is a funding programme supporting cooperation between civil society organisations in the Czech Republic and the EEA Donor States.

2. Which countries are involved?

The programme involves:

• Czech Republic.
• Iceland.
• Liechtenstein.
• Norway.

3. How much funding is available?

Projects can receive between €2,000 and €10,000.

4. Is co-financing required?

No. The programme does not require applicants to provide co-financing.

5. Who can apply?

Civil society organisations active for at least one year in eligible countries can apply through a partnership.

6. What activities can the grant support?

The grant supports exchanges, training, workshops, research, networking, publications, campaigns, and other cooperation activities.

7. What are the main priorities?

The priorities include democracy, human rights, equality, climate action, civic participation, organisational development, and social inclusion.

Conclusion

The EEA Civil Society Fund Bilateral Initiatives Grant provides important support for strengthening cooperation between civil society organisations in the Czech Republic and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Through knowledge exchange, joint projects, and capacity building, the programme helps create stronger organisations that contribute to democracy, human rights, inclusion, and sustainable development.