CFPs: Supporting Women Victims of Violence and Domestic Abuse (Moldova)

Deadline: 29-Jun-2026

The Council of Europe Project in Moldova has launched a grant opportunity to support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) providing direct assistance to women affected by violence against women and domestic violence. The grant offers up to MDL 600,000 for projects that deliver victim-centered services, strengthen support for vulnerable groups, and promote implementation of standards established under the Istanbul Convention and European Union frameworks. One grant will be awarded for projects running between September 2026 and May 2027.

Overview

The Council of Europe Project in Moldova is seeking proposals from Civil Society Organizations working to prevent and respond to violence against women and domestic violence.

The grant aims to strengthen support services for women and girls affected by violence while promoting the implementation of international standards, particularly those established by the Istanbul Convention. Funded projects should provide direct assistance to survivors, enhance access to specialized services, and improve support systems for vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups.

The initiative places strong emphasis on partnerships, intersectional approaches, victim-centered services, and the meaningful participation of women from marginalized communities.

Key Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following areas:

• Direct support services for women affected by violence against women and domestic violence.
• Application of intersectional approaches to victim support.
• Educational and awareness-raising programmes.
• Local-level interventions addressing violence against women.
• Provision of safe accommodation and shelter services.
• Immediate medical assistance for survivors.
• Short-term psychological counselling.
• Long-term psychological counselling and recovery support.
• Trauma-informed care services.
• Legal counselling and legal aid support.
• Advocacy and victim empowerment initiatives.
• Community outreach and awareness activities.
• Telephone helplines and crisis response services.
• Specialized services for mothers and children affected by violence.
• Services for children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence.
• Strengthening participation of women from vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Promotion of Council of Europe and European Union standards.
• Partnerships between organizations supporting survivors of violence.

Understanding the Intersectional Approach

The call specifically promotes an intersectional approach to supporting survivors of violence.

An intersectional approach recognizes that women may face multiple and overlapping forms of discrimination or barriers based on factors such as:

• Disability.
• Ethnicity.
• Age.
• Sexual orientation.
• Gender identity.
• Migration status.
• Geographic location.
• Socioeconomic circumstances.

Projects should ensure that support services are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the specific needs of different groups of women.

Funding Information

• Funding Organization: Council of Europe Project in Moldova
• Grant Type: Civil Society Organization Grant
• Maximum Grant Amount: MDL 600,000
• Number of Grants: One grant expected
• Project Start Date: No earlier than 1 September 2026
• Project End Date: No later than 31 May 2027
• Geographic Focus: Moldova
• Primary Beneficiaries: Women and girls affected by violence against women and domestic violence

Project Activities and Eligible Interventions

Supported activities may include:

• Establishing or strengthening support services for survivors.
• Delivering emergency and crisis intervention services.
• Providing temporary accommodation and shelter.
• Offering psychological support and trauma recovery services.
• Delivering legal information and legal counselling.
• Operating helplines and referral mechanisms.
• Conducting outreach activities in underserved communities.
• Organizing educational and prevention programmes.
• Supporting mothers and children affected by domestic violence.
• Facilitating access to healthcare and social services.
• Building partnerships among organizations working in the violence prevention sector.
• Promoting implementation of Council of Europe and European Union standards.

Projects should demonstrate clear benefits for survivors and contribute to improved access to quality support services.

Target Groups

Projects should benefit:

• Women affected by violence against women.
• Women affected by domestic violence.
• Girls exposed to violence and abuse.
• Children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence.
• Civil Society Organizations working with survivors.
• Local authorities.
• Specialized support organizations.
• Multi-Disciplinary Teams involved in victim protection and response.

Special attention should be given to hard-to-reach and vulnerable groups, including:

• Roma women.
• Women with disabilities.
• Women living in rural areas.
• LBTI women.
• Young women and girls.
• Older women.
• Migrant women.

Alignment with the Istanbul Convention

Projects should align with the principles and objectives of the Istanbul Convention.

The Convention promotes:

• Prevention of violence against women.
• Protection and support for survivors.
• Prosecution of perpetrators.
• Integrated policies and coordinated responses.
• Equal access to justice and support services.
• Human rights-based and victim-centered approaches.

Applicants should demonstrate how proposed activities contribute to these objectives.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants are primarily:

• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Organizations providing direct support to women affected by violence.
• Organizations operating in the field of violence against women and domestic violence.
• Partnerships of organizations supporting survivors.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Relevant expertise in supporting survivors of violence.
• Experience implementing social protection or victim support initiatives.
• Capacity to manage grant-funded projects.
• Ability to reach vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Commitment to Council of Europe and European Union standards.

Priority Applicants

Preference will be given to:

• Civil Society Organizations working specifically on violence against women.
• Organizations providing direct services to survivors.
• NGOs with established experience supporting women affected by domestic violence.
• Projects that strengthen participation of vulnerable groups.
• Projects closely aligned with Council of Europe standards.
• Projects supporting European Union priorities in Moldova.
• Partnership-based initiatives involving multiple organizations.
• Collaborative projects that expand service coverage and impact.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Violence against women remains a significant human rights, social, and public health challenge.

This funding opportunity is important because it:

• Expands access to life-saving support services.
• Strengthens protection mechanisms for survivors.
• Increases support for vulnerable and marginalized women.
• Promotes trauma-informed and survivor-centered care.
• Enhances legal and psychological assistance.
• Supports implementation of international human rights standards.
• Encourages collaboration among organizations serving survivors.
• Strengthens local response systems to domestic violence.

The initiative contributes to building safer communities and improving access to justice and protection for women and girls.

How to Apply

• Review the Council of Europe grant guidelines and eligibility requirements.
• Identify the needs of women and girls affected by violence within your target area.
• Design interventions that provide direct and measurable support to survivors.
• Ensure activities align with the Istanbul Convention and European Union standards.
• Incorporate an intersectional and victim-centered approach.
• Develop partnerships with relevant organizations where appropriate.
• Prepare a detailed implementation plan and budget.
• Include clear indicators demonstrating expected outcomes and impact.
• Explain how vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups will be engaged.
• Submit the proposal according to the application instructions and deadlines.

Tips for Applicants

• Demonstrate direct experience supporting survivors of violence.
• Clearly explain the survivor-centered approach used in the project.
• Show strong understanding of the Istanbul Convention.
• Include measurable outcomes related to service delivery and beneficiary support.
• Highlight strategies for reaching marginalized women.
• Build partnerships that strengthen service quality and coverage.
• Present realistic budgets and implementation plans.
• Demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period where possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to demonstrate direct benefits for survivors.
• Proposing activities that are not aligned with the Istanbul Convention.
• Ignoring the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Providing weak monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Submitting overly broad projects without clear objectives.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational experience in violence prevention or victim support.
• Neglecting partnership opportunities where collaboration would strengthen impact.
• Focusing solely on awareness activities without direct support services.

FAQ

What is the purpose of this grant?

The grant supports projects that provide direct assistance and specialized services to women and girls affected by violence against women and domestic violence in Moldova.

How much funding is available?

One grant of up to MDL 600,000 will be awarded.

Who can apply?

Civil Society Organizations and non-governmental organizations working in the field of violence against women and domestic violence are the primary target applicants.

What types of services can be funded?

Eligible services include accommodation, medical assistance, psychological counselling, trauma care, legal counselling, advocacy, outreach activities, helplines, and specialized support for mothers and children.

Which groups should projects prioritize?

Projects should support women and girls affected by violence, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as Roma women, women with disabilities, migrant women, rural women, LBTI women, and older women.

What is the project implementation period?

Projects must start no earlier than 1 September 2026 and finish no later than 31 May 2027.

Why is alignment with the Istanbul Convention important?

The Council of Europe requires funded projects to support internationally recognized standards for preventing violence against women, protecting survivors, and promoting access to justice and support services.

Conclusion

The Council of Europe Project in Moldova offers a significant opportunity for Civil Society Organizations to strengthen services for women and girls affected by violence and domestic abuse. Through funding of up to MDL 600,000, the initiative supports survivor-centered, rights-based, and intersectional interventions that improve access to protection, counselling, legal assistance, accommodation, and other critical services. Organizations with expertise in supporting survivors and advancing international standards have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the prevention of violence and the empowerment of women across Moldova.

For more information, visit Council of Europe.