CFAs: Strengthening Democracy and Rule of Law (Romania)

The EEA Civil Society Fund is accepting applications from non-governmental and non-profit organizations in Romania for projects that strengthen democracy, the rule of law, institutional accountability, and citizen participation. The program offers large grants ranging from €200,001 to €350,000 for projects lasting 36 to 48 months, with applications due by 8 October 2026.

EEA Civil Society Fund Call for Proposals

The EEA Civil Society Fund supports civil society organizations (CSOs) in Romania working to strengthen democratic governance, protect human rights, and promote active citizen participation.

The program funds long-term, systemic initiatives that improve public policies, enhance institutional accountability, and foster meaningful collaboration between civil society, public authorities, media, academia, and citizens.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Strengthen democracy and democratic values.
Promote the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
Increase citizen participation in democratic processes.
Support participatory governance and civic engagement.
Improve institutional accountability and transparency.
Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations.
Encourage evidence-based advocacy and policy reform.
Foster sustainable and systemic democratic change.

Priority Areas

Projects may focus on one or more of the following areas:

Democratic values.
Civic engagement.
Information integrity.
Media literacy.
Civil society participation in democratic processes.
Participatory governance.
Citizen engagement.
Institutional accountability.
Human rights protection.
Rule of law.
Public policy influence.
Institutional strengthening.
Transparency and integrity.
Public policy monitoring.
Watchdog mechanisms.
Inclusive participation.
Civic freedoms.
Public consultations.
Community mobilization.
Evidence-based advocacy.
Cooperation between civil society and public authorities.
Digital tools for civic participation.

Funding Amount

Large grants are available ranging from:

€200,001 to €350,000 per project.

The total funding available under this call is:

€3,718,664.

Project Duration

Projects must have a duration of:

36 to 48 months.

Budget Allocation

Applicants may allocate:

Up to 20% of the total project budget for organizational development.
Between 3% and 5% of the project budget for monitoring and rapid response activities.

Eligible Activities

Supported activities may include:

Policy monitoring.
Advocacy initiatives.
Legislative analysis.
Public consultations.
Awareness campaigns.
Watchdog activities.
Civic engagement initiatives.
Improving access to reliable information.
Building collaboration networks.
Transparency initiatives.
Development of innovative civic participation tools.
Citizen engagement in public decision-making.

Partnership Opportunities

Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships with organizations that offer complementary expertise, including:

Small civil society organizations.
Informal civic groups.
Public institutions.
Academic institutions.
Media organizations.
Other relevant stakeholders.

Collaborative approaches that contribute to sustainable, long-term impact are strongly encouraged.

Inclusion Requirements

Projects should:

Actively involve underrepresented and marginalized groups.
Integrate gender equality throughout project design and implementation.
Promote inclusive participation in democratic processes.

Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to:

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Non-profit organizations.

Applicants must:

Be legally established in Romania.
Operate in accordance with Romanian national legislation.
Meet all program eligibility requirements.

Expected Outcomes

Funded projects are expected to:

Strengthen democratic governance.
Improve public policy and institutional performance.
Increase civic participation.
Enhance government transparency and accountability.
Protect civic freedoms and human rights.
Build stronger and more resilient civil society organizations.

Program Benefits

The EEA Civil Society Fund helps organizations to:

Expand civic engagement initiatives.
Influence public policy.
Strengthen institutional accountability.
Build strategic partnerships.
Develop sustainable organizational capacity.
Promote long-term democratic reform.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Demonstrating a clear strategy for systemic change.
Explaining how the project will improve democratic governance.
Showing meaningful citizen participation.
Including strong partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
Integrating gender equality and inclusive participation throughout the project.
Presenting realistic budgets, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

8 October 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the EEA Civil Society Fund?

Legally established non-governmental and non-profit organizations operating in Romania are eligible to apply.

How much funding is available?

Large grants ranging from €200,001 to €350,000 are available, with a total program budget of €3,718,664.

How long can projects run?

Projects must last between 36 and 48 months.

What activities are eligible?

Eligible activities include policy monitoring, advocacy, legislative analysis, public consultations, awareness campaigns, watchdog initiatives, civic engagement, transparency projects, and the development of digital participation tools.

Are partnerships encouraged?

Yes. Applicants are encouraged to partner with small CSOs, informal civic groups, public institutions, media organizations, academia, and other stakeholders to achieve sustainable impact.

Is gender equality required?

Yes. Projects should integrate gender equality throughout their design and implementation while ensuring the participation of underrepresented and marginalized groups.

Conclusion

The EEA Civil Society Fund provides large grants of €200,001 to €350,000 to support Romanian civil society organizations working to strengthen democracy, protect human rights, and improve institutional accountability. By funding long-term, collaborative projects that promote civic participation, policy reform, transparency, and inclusive governance, the program aims to build a stronger, more resilient democratic society in Romania.