Deadline: 14-Jun-2026
The Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), with EU funding, is offering small grants to strengthen local civil society organizations in Kosovo. The program supports initiatives focused on social inequality, gender-based violence, human rights, civic participation, and participatory governance at the community level.
Each selected project may receive up to €10,000, with implementation periods ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Program Overview: Civil Society Strengthening in Kosovo
Purpose of the Small Grants Scheme
This funding initiative aims to strengthen grassroots and community-based organizations in Kosovo by enabling them to actively participate in policy-making, advocacy, and community development.
The program focuses on:
- Reducing social inequality
- Preventing and addressing gender-based violence (GBV)
- Strengthening access to justice and human rights protection
- Promoting civic engagement and participatory democracy
- Enhancing cooperation between civil society and public institutions
- Supporting policy monitoring and advocacy activities
Key Thematic Areas
Projects must align with at least one or more of the following themes:
Social Inclusion and Equality
- Addressing structural social inequalities
- Supporting vulnerable and marginalized groups
- Promoting equitable access to public services
Gender-Based Violence Prevention
- GBV awareness and prevention initiatives
- Survivor support mechanisms
- Community-based protection systems
Human Rights and Justice
- Access to justice initiatives
- Legal awareness campaigns
- Rights-based advocacy
Civic Engagement and Governance
- Participatory democracy initiatives
- Policy dialogue and monitoring
- Strengthening local governance accountability
Funding Details
Grant Size
- Up to €10,000 per project
- Maximum of 4 projects funded
Project Duration
- Minimum: 6 months
- Maximum: 12 months
Funding Purpose
Grants are designed to support:
- Community-based interventions
- Advocacy and awareness campaigns
- Local policy engagement activities
- Capacity-building for civil society organizations
Who Can Apply?
Eligible Applicants
- Local and community-based organizations in Kosovo
- Civil society organizations (CSOs)
- Grassroots and advocacy groups
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Active engagement in community development
- Alignment with human rights and equality objectives
- Capacity to implement projects within the timeline
Why This Program Matters
This initiative strengthens Kosovo’s civil society ecosystem by:
- Empowering local organizations in governance processes
- Improving responsiveness to social inequality and GBV
- Strengthening accountability in public institutions
- Enhancing collaboration between communities and authorities
- Promoting inclusive democratic participation
Implementation Requirements
Funded projects must:
- Be implemented within 6–12 months
- Operate within Kosovo communities
- Demonstrate measurable community impact
- Engage relevant stakeholders (citizens, institutions, CSOs)
- Contribute to policy or advocacy outcomes where relevant
How to Apply (Process Overview)
While specific application steps may vary, typical submission requirements include:
- Prepare a project proposal aligned with thematic priorities
- Define target beneficiaries and community impact
- Develop a clear implementation plan and timeline
- Prepare a detailed budget (up to €10,000)
- Submit application through GLPS call process
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are typically assessed based on:
- Relevance to program themes (GBV, inequality, human rights)
- Community impact and engagement
- Feasibility of implementation within timeline
- Organizational capacity and experience
- Innovation in addressing social challenges
- Collaboration with local stakeholders
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak alignment with GBV or social equality themes
- Overly broad or undefined target groups
- Unrealistic timelines or budgets
- Lack of community engagement strategy
- Insufficient evidence of organizational capacity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the maximum funding available?
Each project can receive up to €10,000.
2. How many projects will be funded?
Up to four projects will be selected.
3. What is the project duration?
Projects must run between 6 and 12 months.
4. Who can apply?
Local and community-based organizations operating in Kosovo.
5. What are priority themes?
Gender-based violence, social inequality, human rights, civic engagement, and participatory governance.
6. Can informal groups apply?
Eligibility generally focuses on structured community-based organizations; specific requirements depend on the call guidelines.
Conclusion
The GLPS Small Grants Scheme provides targeted funding to strengthen grassroots civil society in Kosovo. By focusing on gender-based violence, social inequality, and democratic participation, the program enables local organizations to drive meaningful community change and improve human rights outcomes at the local level.
For more information, visit GLPS.