Deadline: 06-Jul-2026
The Civic Resource Centre, with support from the European Union, has launched a €600,000 grant programme in North Macedonia to strengthen civil society participation in EU accession reforms. The initiative funds CSOs to monitor governance reforms, support EU negotiation processes, and track implementation of the Growth Plan Reform Agenda, with grants of €50,000–€60,000 covering up to 100% of eligible costs.
Overview of the Programme
This EU-funded call for proposals supports civil society organisations in North Macedonia to actively participate in and monitor reforms linked to EU accession. It strengthens structured dialogue between civil society and public institutions, focusing on transparency, accountability, and evidence-based policy engagement.
The programme is part of the “EU Support to the Civil Society Resource Centre – Phase 2” initiative, implemented by the Foundation Civic Resource Centre with partner organisations including the Association for Democratic Initiatives (ADI), Gostivar, and Media Plus, Štip.
Key Objectives
The programme is designed to improve civil society involvement in governance and EU integration processes.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening structured civil society dialogue under the EU accession Fundamentals Cluster
- Enhancing evidence-based civil society participation in reform processes
- Supporting coordinated monitoring of EU-related reforms
- Improving advocacy on alignment with the EU acquis
- Strengthening transparency and accountability in governance reforms
- Promoting public communication on reform progress
- Building civil society networks and coalitions
- Supporting citizen engagement in EU integration processes
Programme Focus Areas
Civil Society Structural Dialogue (Fundamentals Cluster)
This focus area supports structured engagement between civil society and public institutions.
Key activities include:
- Participation in rule of law and governance reform discussions
- Monitoring democratic institutions and public administration reforms
- Advocacy for alignment with EU accession requirements
- Evidence-based policy dialogue with government stakeholders
Growth Plan Reform Agenda Monitoring
This area focuses on tracking reform implementation under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Key activities include:
- Monitoring reform milestones and implementation progress
- Public communication of reform outcomes
- Civil society coordination on reform tracking
- Advocacy for transparency in reform execution
- Engagement in socio-economic convergence discussions with the EU
Funding Details
The programme provides structured financial support for civil society initiatives.
- Total budget: €600,000
- Lot 1 (Structural Dialogue): €360,000
- Lot 2 (Growth Plan Monitoring): €240,000
- Grant size per project: €50,000 to €60,000
- EU contribution: up to 100% of eligible costs
- No co-financing required
Eligible Applicants
Only qualified civil society organisations in North Macedonia can apply.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a non-profit civil society organisation
- Must be legally registered in North Macedonia
- Must have been established at least 3 years before the call
- Must be directly responsible for project implementation
- Must complete required self-assessment and governance questionnaires
Programme Context
The initiative supports key EU accession and reform frameworks.
Relevant frameworks include:
- EU accession negotiation process (Fundamentals Cluster)
- Rule of law and democratic governance reforms
- Public administration and economic governance reforms
- EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans
- Socio-economic convergence with the European Union
- Integration into the EU Single Market
Importance of the Programme
This initiative plays a critical role in strengthening democratic governance by:
- Enhancing civil society participation in EU accession reforms
- Improving transparency and accountability in public institutions
- Strengthening monitoring of governance and policy reforms
- Supporting informed public debate on EU integration
- Building stronger civil society networks and coalitions
- Ensuring evidence-based advocacy in reform processes
Conclusion
The EU-supported Civil Society Resource Centre Phase 2 programme in North Macedonia strengthens the role of civil society in EU accession and reform monitoring. By funding structured dialogue and coordinated oversight of the Growth Plan Reform Agenda, it enhances transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation in democratic governance and EU integration processes.
For more information, visit Civic Resource Centre.