CFAs: Protecting Human Rights Through Environmental Action (Romania)

The Protecting Human Rights Through Climate and Environmental Action call provides funding to civil society organizations (CSOs) in Romania to promote environmental sustainability, human rights, and inclusive public participation. With a total budget of €6 million, the programme offers grants ranging from €15,000 to €350,000 to strengthen advocacy, reduce discrimination, improve access to justice, and increase public awareness of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

What is the Protecting Human Rights Through Climate and Environmental Action Call?

The Protecting Human Rights Through Climate and Environmental Action call is a funding programme that supports projects promoting the connection between environmental protection and human rights. The programme encourages civil society organizations to strengthen public awareness, advocate for inclusive environmental policies, and ensure that climate and environmental action benefits all members of society, particularly underserved and marginalized communities.

The initiative recognizes that access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right and seeks to strengthen the role of civil society in protecting this right through advocacy, education, community engagement, and policy dialogue.

Funding Available

The programme provides a total funding allocation of €6,000,000.

Two types of grants are available:

Small Grants

• Grant amount: €15,000 to the applicable funding limit
• Project duration: 4 to 9 months

Large Grants

• Grant amount: Up to €350,000
• Project duration: 36 to 48 months

Programme Objectives

The call aims to:

• Increase public awareness of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
• Strengthen public participation in environmental decision-making.
• Improve policy engagement on climate and environmental issues.
• Enhance the advocacy capacity of civil society organizations.
• Promote inclusive environmental governance.
• Strengthen protection of human rights through environmental action.
• Support long-term social and environmental justice.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following priorities:

• Human rights and environmental protection
• Climate action and environmental sustainability
• Anti-discrimination initiatives
• Social justice
• Public awareness campaigns
• Community participation in environmental decision-making
• Policy advocacy
• Access to legal remedies
• Strengthening civil society advocacy
• Mainstreaming human rights throughout project implementation
• Reducing structural discrimination
• Supporting underserved and marginalized communities

Eligible Activities

Projects may include activities such as:

• Public awareness campaigns
• Environmental rights education
• Advocacy initiatives
• Policy dialogue
• Community engagement activities
• Legal awareness programmes
• Capacity-building for civil society organizations
• Research and evidence-based advocacy
• Public consultations
• Citizen participation initiatives
• Campaigns promoting environmental justice
• Activities that improve access to legal remedies
• Collaborative initiatives addressing discrimination and environmental inequality

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legally established non-governmental, non-profit organizations operating in Romania.

Eligible organizations include:

• Associations
• Foundations
• Federations
• The National Red Cross Society in Romania
• Regional and local structures of the National Red Cross Society with legal personality

Applicants must comply with all relevant Romanian legal requirements.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following organizations are not eligible to apply:

• Political parties
• Religious institutions
• Professional associations
• Trade unions
• Employers’ organizations
• Profit-distributing cooperatives
• Organizations that do not meet the programme’s eligibility requirements

Why This Funding Matters

Climate change and environmental degradation have significant impacts on human rights, including health, livelihoods, equality, and access to natural resources.

This funding programme helps civil society organizations:

• Protect vulnerable communities.
• Promote environmental justice.
• Strengthen democratic participation.
• Influence environmental policies.
• Reduce discrimination.
• Improve public understanding of environmental rights.
• Build stronger partnerships between citizens, policymakers, and civil society.

By supporting advocacy and community engagement, the programme contributes to more inclusive and sustainable environmental governance across Romania.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these general steps:

1. Confirm that the organization meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Identify the environmental and human rights issue the project will address.
3. Develop a project that aligns with the programme priorities.
4. Prepare a realistic work plan and project budget.
5. Demonstrate how the project will engage communities and influence policy.
6. Show how human rights principles will be integrated throughout the project.
7. Complete the application form and submit all required supporting documents before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve the likelihood of success:

• Clearly demonstrate the connection between environmental protection and human rights.
• Explain how underserved communities will benefit.
• Include measurable objectives and outcomes.
• Present evidence-based advocacy approaches.
• Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders where appropriate.
• Include realistic timelines and budgets.
• Demonstrate the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Failing to explain the human rights dimension of environmental issues.
• Proposing activities that fall outside the programme priorities.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Developing unrealistic budgets or timelines.
• Providing unclear project objectives.
• Not identifying the target communities.
• Weak monitoring and evaluation plans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this funding?

Eligible applicants are legally established non-governmental and non-profit organizations operating in Romania, including associations, foundations, federations, and the National Red Cross Society in Romania.

How much funding is available?

The programme has a total budget of €6 million, with grants ranging from €15,000 to €350,000 depending on the project type.

What project durations are allowed?

Small grants support projects lasting 4 to 9 months, while large grants support projects lasting 36 to 48 months.

What types of projects are funded?

The programme supports projects promoting environmental sustainability, human rights, anti-discrimination, public awareness, policy advocacy, legal access, civic participation, and community engagement.

Can organizations working on social justice apply?

Yes. Social justice and anti-discrimination are key programme priorities when linked to environmental rights and climate action.

Are government agencies or political organizations eligible?

No. Political parties and several other entity types, including religious institutions and trade unions, are not eligible under this call.

Why is this programme important?

The programme strengthens civil society’s ability to protect environmental rights, promote inclusive public participation, influence policy, and ensure that climate action benefits vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Conclusion

The Protecting Human Rights Through Climate and Environmental Action call offers a significant opportunity for Romanian civil society organizations to advance environmental justice, strengthen human rights advocacy, and improve public participation in climate and environmental policymaking. With grants ranging from €15,000 to €350,000 and a total funding allocation of €6 million, the programme supports impactful projects that create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities while promoting the fundamental right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.