Deadline: 29-Sep-2026
The Small Projects Grant Call supports civil society organisations (CSOs) in Portugal by strengthening their organisational capacity, sustainability, collaboration, and role in democratic society. The programme provides grants of €25,000 to €37,500 for projects lasting 6 to 18 months, focusing on staff development, governance, financial sustainability, networking, advocacy, and improving the enabling environment for civil society.
What is the Small Projects Grant Call?
The Small Projects Grant Call is a funding opportunity designed to strengthen civil society organisations in Portugal by improving their internal capacity and supporting collaboration across the sector.
The programme helps CSOs become more:
- Sustainable
- Effective
- Transparent
- Resilient
- Collaborative
- Capable of creating long-term social impact
The initiative supports organisations working to strengthen democracy, human rights, citizen participation, and the overall role of civil society.
Objectives of the Small Projects Grant Programme
The main objective of this call is to strengthen civil society organisations and improve their long-term sustainability.
The programme focuses on two main outcome areas:
- Organisational Development Supported
- An Enabling Environment for Civil Society Supported
Outcome Area 1: Organisational Development Supported
This area focuses on improving the internal capacity of civil society organisations.
Projects should help strengthen:
- Staff knowledge and skills
- Volunteer capabilities
- Organisational systems
- Governance practices
- Financial sustainability
- Strategic planning capacity
Supported Activities Under Organisational Development
Eligible activities may include:
Training and Capacity Building
Examples:
- Professional training programmes
- Skills development workshops
- Staff and volunteer learning activities
Mentoring and Consulting Support
Projects may provide:
- Organisational coaching
- Expert consulting
- Strategic guidance
Improving Internal Systems
Activities may support:
- Better administrative processes
- Transparent financial management
- Accountability systems
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
Strengthening Volunteer Management
Projects may improve:
- Volunteer recruitment
- Volunteer engagement strategies
- Volunteer coordination systems
Financial Sustainability
Activities may include:
- Fundraising strategy development
- Diversification of funding sources
- Social entrepreneurship initiatives
Outcome Area 2: Enabling Environment for Civil Society Supported
This area focuses on strengthening the wider civil society sector by improving coordination, recognition, and collective action.
Projects may support:
- Umbrella organisations
- Civil society networks
- Knowledge-sharing platforms
- Cooperation mechanisms
- Sector-wide collaboration
Key Goals
This outcome area aims to:
- Increase recognition of civil society organisations
- Strengthen collective voice
- Reduce fragmentation within the sector
- Improve cooperation between CSOs and stakeholders
- Increase collective impact
Key Focus Areas of the Grant
The programme supports projects related to:
Organisational Sustainability
Projects can improve:
- Strategic planning
- Governance structures
- Internal management
- Institutional resilience
Good Governance and Accountability
Supported activities may focus on:
- Transparent decision-making
- Financial accountability
- Evaluation systems
- Responsible management practices
Collaboration and Networking
Projects may develop:
- Partnerships between CSOs
- Cooperation platforms
- Knowledge exchange networks
Democracy, Human Rights, and Citizen Engagement
Activities may strengthen:
Advocacy and Sector Recognition
Projects can support:
- Advocacy strategies
- Public awareness campaigns
- Recognition of the civil society sector
- Collective representation
Legal and Regulatory Improvements
The programme also supports initiatives that promote:
- Better legal frameworks for CSOs
- Reduced administrative barriers
- Stronger legal protections for civil society organisations
Funding Details
The Small Projects Grant Call provides:
- Total available funding: €450,000
- Grant amount per project: €25,000 to €37,500
- Project duration: 6 to 18 months
Funding is intended to support practical activities that improve organisational capacity and sector development.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible applicants are:
- Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
- Established in Portugal
- Non-profit entities
- Voluntary organisations
- Private organisations serving public interest or common good purposes
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be legally established in Portugal
- Operate without commercial objectives
- Be independent from government bodies
- Be independent from political parties
- Be independent from commercial organisations
Who is Not Eligible?
The following organisations cannot apply:
- Political organisations
- Political parties
- Religious institutions
Additionally:
Civil society organisations with an average annual turnover of €2,000,000 or more are not eligible for capacity-building projects under Outcome 3 where the organisation itself is the primary target of capacity-building activities.
Eligible Project Activities
Projects may include:
Training Programmes
Examples:
- Leadership development
- Staff training
- Volunteer education
- Skills-building workshops
Strategic Development Activities
Examples:
- Strategic planning
- Organisational reviews
- Capacity assessments
Communication and Outreach
Examples:
- Marketing strategies
- Public communication plans
- Citizen engagement activities
Governance Improvement
Examples:
- Governance frameworks
- Accountability systems
- Evaluation tools
Fundraising and Sustainability
Examples:
- Fundraising strategies
- New funding models
- Social enterprise approaches
Sector Collaboration
Examples:
- Networking events
- Knowledge-sharing activities
- Partnership development
How to Apply for the Small Projects Grant
Applicants should follow these steps:
Step 1: Develop a Project Concept
Organisations should identify:
- Capacity challenges
- Sector needs
- Expected improvements
- Target beneficiaries
Step 2: Design Project Activities
Applicants should explain:
- Planned activities
- Implementation timeline
- Expected outcomes
- Sustainability approach
Step 3: Prepare Budget Information
The proposal should include:
- Project costs
- Use of grant funds
- Financial planning
Step 4: Submit Application
Applicants must submit their proposal according to the call requirements and provide all required organisational documents.
Assessment Criteria
Applications will likely be assessed based on:
Organisational Need
Reviewers will consider:
- Current capacity challenges
- Development needs
- Potential for improvement
Project Quality
Assessment includes:
- Clear objectives
- Practical activities
- Feasible implementation plans
Sustainability Impact
Projects should demonstrate:
- Long-term organisational benefits
- Improved resilience
- Continued impact after funding ends
Sector Contribution
Projects supporting collaboration and collective impact may receive stronger consideration.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly identify organisational challenges
- Connect activities with long-term sustainability
- Include measurable outcomes
- Demonstrate community benefit
- Show how improvements will continue after the project
- Highlight collaboration opportunities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Proposing projects unrelated to civil society capacity building
- Providing unclear objectives
- Ignoring sustainability planning
- Submitting incomplete documentation
- Failing to explain expected organisational improvements
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Small Projects Grant Call?
It is a funding programme supporting civil society organisations in Portugal to improve their capacity, sustainability, and collaboration.
2. How much funding can organisations receive?
Eligible projects can receive grants between €25,000 and €37,500.
3. How long can projects last?
Projects must have a duration of 6 to 18 months.
4. Who can apply?
Legally established nonprofit civil society organisations in Portugal can apply if they meet eligibility requirements.
5. What types of activities are supported?
The programme supports training, mentoring, consulting, governance improvements, fundraising strategies, networking, advocacy, and organisational development.
6. Can political parties or religious institutions apply?
No. Political organisations, political parties, and religious institutions are not eligible.
7. What is the total funding available?
The total available budget for the call is €450,000.
Conclusion
The Small Projects Grant Call provides important support for civil society organisations in Portugal by improving organisational capacity, strengthening cooperation, and promoting a stronger civic sector. Through funding for training, governance, sustainability, and collaboration initiatives, the programme helps CSOs become more effective contributors to democracy, human rights, and community development.
For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.
