Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The Human Rights and Democracy Programme Country Allocation Mongolia 2025 is an EU funding initiative that supports civil society, media, and institutions working to promote human rights, democracy, and rule of law in Mongolia. It provides grants of €200,000–€240,000 for projects lasting 24–36 months focused on civil society strengthening, human rights protection, and democratic governance. The programme prioritises inclusive, rights-based approaches, including support for journalists, human rights defenders, and digital rights.
What is the Human Rights and Democracy Programme (Mongolia 2025)?
The Human Rights and Democracy Programme – Mongolia 2025 is part of the European Union’s thematic support for human rights and democratic governance.
It is designed to:
- Promote and protect human rights in Mongolia
- Strengthen democratic institutions and rule of law
- Support civil society organisations and independent media
- Encourage inclusive and accountable governance systems
The programme applies a human rights-based approach across all funded actions.
Key Objectives of the Programme
The programme focuses on strengthening democratic and human rights ecosystems through the following objectives:
Protection of Individuals and Fundamental Freedoms
- Safeguarding civil liberties and fundamental rights
- Addressing risks and opportunities related to new technologies
- Protecting vulnerable groups and individuals
Strengthening Civil Society
- Enhancing civil society participation in governance
- Supporting monitoring and response to human rights violations
- Building advocacy and awareness capacities
Supporting Human Rights Defenders
- Protection and support for human rights defenders and their families
- Strengthening safety and resilience mechanisms
Strengthening Justice Systems
- Improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability of justice institutions
- Enhancing public trust in legal systems
Freedom of Expression and Media
- Supporting independent journalists, bloggers, and media workers
- Strengthening media resilience and safety
- Protecting freedom of expression
Digital Rights and New Technologies
- Addressing human rights challenges in digital transformation
- Promoting public awareness of digital rights issues
- Ensuring inclusive dialogue on technology governance
Cross-Cutting Themes
All projects must integrate:
- Gender equality mainstreaming
- Gender-sensitive indicators
- Sex-disaggregated data collection (where available)
- Youth participation
- Inclusive and participatory approaches
- Collaboration between civil society actors
Types of Eligible Activities
The programme supports a wide range of actions, including:
Awareness and Advocacy
- Public awareness campaigns
- Human rights education programmes
- Policy advocacy initiatives
- Community outreach activities
Civil Society Strengthening
- NGO capacity building
- Networking among civil society organisations
- Institutional strengthening and training
Media and Freedom of Expression
- Support for independent journalism
- Protection of journalists and media workers
- Media literacy and public information programmes
Strategic Litigation and Legal Support
- Legal advocacy initiatives
- Strategic litigation support
- Rights-based legal awareness campaigns
Digital Rights and Innovation
- Digital rights awareness programmes
- Technology and human rights monitoring
- Online safety and civic tech initiatives
Youth and Public Engagement
- Youth participation programmes
- Civic education initiatives
- Public dialogue forums on democracy and rights
Funding Details
- Grant amount: €200,000 to €240,000
- Project duration: 24 to 36 months
- Location: Mongolia
- Funding type: Co-financing (percentage of eligible costs)
Geographic Scope
- All project activities must take place in Mongolia
- Projects must demonstrate local relevance and impact
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit civil society organisations (CSOs)
- Public sector operators
- Local authorities
- International organisations
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be responsible for project design and management
- Demonstrate relevant expertise in human rights or governance
- Be capable of managing multi-year international grants
- Ensure compliance with EU funding requirements
Partnerships
Applicants may:
- Work with co-applicants
- Include affiliated entities
- Form multi-stakeholder partnerships
Who is NOT Eligible?
Not eligible:
- For-profit commercial entities (unless explicitly allowed under consortium rules)
- Organisations without legal registration or capacity
- Projects implemented outside Mongolia
- Applications lacking human rights relevance
Programme Approach
All funded projects must follow a:
Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)
Meaning:
- Focus on rights-holders and duty-bearers
- Promote accountability and participation
- Ensure non-discrimination and inclusion
- Strengthen empowerment of affected communities
Why This Programme Matters
This EU initiative plays a key role in:
- Strengthening democratic governance in Mongolia
- Protecting civil liberties and human rights
- Supporting independent media and journalism
- Enhancing accountability and rule of law
- Promoting gender equality and inclusion
- Addressing risks from digital transformation
It contributes to building more open, inclusive, and resilient societies.
How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Identify Project Focus
- Align with human rights, democracy, or rule of law priorities
- Ensure relevance to Mongolia context
Step 2: Build Project Design
Include:
- Clear objectives and outcomes
- Target groups (civil society, journalists, youth, etc.)
- Implementation methodology
- Gender and inclusion strategy
- Monitoring and evaluation framework
Step 3: Form Partnerships
- Identify co-applicants or affiliated entities
- Build civil society and institutional collaboration
Step 4: Prepare Budget and Documentation
- Prepare detailed budget
- Ensure eligibility of costs
- Include required legal and organisational documents
Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit through EU grant application system
- Ensure compliance with technical requirements
Step 6: Evaluation and Selection
Applications are assessed based on:
- Relevance to programme priorities
- Impact and sustainability
- Methodology and feasibility
- Organisational capacity
- Gender and inclusion integration
Step 7: Implementation
- Execute project over 24–36 months
- Report progress and outcomes
- Ensure compliance with EU monitoring rules
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak alignment with human rights priorities
- Missing gender equality integration
- Poorly defined monitoring indicators
- Unrealistic multi-year planning
- Lack of local relevance to Mongolia
- Insufficient organisational capacity
- Weak partnership structure
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define human rights impact
- Integrate gender and youth participation
- Include measurable outcomes and indicators
- Build strong civil society partnerships
- Address digital rights or emerging challenges
- Demonstrate sustainability beyond funding period
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the funding amount?
Between €200,000 and €240,000 per project.
2. How long do projects last?
Between 24 and 36 months.
3. Where must activities take place?
All activities must be implemented in Mongolia.
4. Who can apply?
CSOs, public sector operators, local authorities, and international organisations.
5. What is the main goal of the programme?
To strengthen human rights, democracy, and rule of law in Mongolia.
6. Are partnerships allowed?
Yes, co-applicants and affiliated entities are encouraged.
7. Is gender equality required?
Yes, gender mainstreaming and sex-disaggregated data are required components.
Conclusion
The Human Rights and Democracy Programme Country Allocation Mongolia 2025 is a major EU funding initiative aimed at strengthening democratic governance, human rights protection, and civil society capacity in Mongolia. Through multi-year grants of up to €240,000, it supports organisations working on freedom of expression, rule of law, gender equality, and civic engagement, contributing to more inclusive and resilient democratic systems.
For more information, visit European Commission.
