Funding Opportunity for Civil Society Organisations to Countering Disinformation (Poland)

The EEA Civil Society Fund has launched a funding opportunity to support civil society organisations in Poland working to counter disinformation, strengthen democratic values, protect human rights, and improve public resilience against misleading information. The programme will provide approximately 30 grants with a total budget of EUR 2,928,000, along with additional capacity-building support of EUR 480,000.

Overview of the Countering Disinformation Grant Programme

The Call for Proposals on Countering Disinformation supports civil society organisations that work to protect democratic societies from the harmful effects of false, manipulated, and misleading information.

The programme is funded through the EEA Civil Society Fund and focuses on strengthening:

Information resilience.
Democratic participation.
Human rights protection.
Public awareness.
Responsible digital communication.

The initiative responds to growing challenges caused by misinformation, digital manipulation, and the rapid expansion of AI-generated content.

Purpose of the Grant

The main objective of the programme is to support organisations that help communities better understand, identify, and respond to disinformation.

The grant aims to:

Increase public resilience against misleading information.
Promote access to reliable information.
Improve critical thinking skills among citizens.
Strengthen civil society organisations working on information integrity.
Encourage responsible public discussions.
Protect democratic processes from manipulation.

What Is Disinformation?

Disinformation refers to the intentional creation, spread, or amplification of false, manipulated, or misleading information.

It may be distributed through:

Social media platforms.
Digital communication channels.
Online campaigns.
Artificial intelligence-based tools.
Other digital technologies.

Disinformation can influence:

Social behaviour.
Political decisions.
Economic activities.
Public trust.
Democratic institutions.

The programme addresses disinformation regardless of who creates or distributes the content.

Key Focus Areas

The call supports projects focused on:

Strengthening Social Resilience

Projects may help communities:

Recognise false information.
Understand digital manipulation techniques.
Develop critical information skills.
Make informed decisions online.

Building Organisational Capacity

The programme supports civil society organisations to:

Develop stronger responses to disinformation.
Improve public education activities.
Create awareness campaigns.
Strengthen cooperation between organisations.

Promoting Reliable Information Access

Supported initiatives may encourage:

Fact-based communication.
Responsible journalism practices.
Transparent public discussions.
Digital literacy.

Funding Available

The total grant budget available under the programme is:

EUR 2,928,000

The programme plans to award approximately:

30 grants

Additional funding is available for:

Capacity-building activities: EUR 480,000

These resources aim to strengthen both project implementation and the long-term ability of organisations to address disinformation challenges.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is open to registered civil society organisations operating in Poland.

Eligible applicants include:

Associations.
Foundations.
Unions of associations.
Social cooperatives.
Country Housewives’ Associations.
Faith-based organisations.

Applicants must meet the legal and organisational requirements specified under Polish regulations.

Eligibility Requirements by Organisation Type

Associations

Associations, including ordinary associations, may apply if they:

Meet legal requirements.
Provide required approvals and authorisations before signing the project agreement.

Foundations

Foundations must:

Meet required governance conditions.
Have an eligible management board or supervisory structure.

Social Cooperatives

Social cooperatives are eligible if their membership consists only of:

Natural persons.
Non-governmental organisations.
Ecclesiastical legal persons recognised under relevant regulations.

Country Housewives’ Associations

Applicants must:

Be registered in the National Register of Country Housewives’ Associations.
Be recognised by the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture.

Faith-Based Organisations

Faith-based organisations must:

Have public benefit activities included in their statutory objectives.
Be registered in the National Court Register.
Have legal capacity to independently enter agreements.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is especially relevant for organisations working on:

Digital literacy.
Human rights.
Democracy protection.
Media literacy.
Fact-checking.
Public awareness.
Online safety.
Civic education.

Organisations should demonstrate experience in addressing information challenges and supporting informed communities.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare proposals that clearly explain:

The disinformation challenge being addressed.
The target communities or groups.
Planned activities.
Expected results.
Organisational capacity.
Budget requirements.

A strong proposal should demonstrate how the project will create measurable improvements in information resilience.

Application Process Steps

Step 1: Identify the Disinformation Challenge

Applicants should define:

The type of misleading information being addressed.
The affected communities.
The risks created by the issue.

Step 2: Design Project Activities

Possible activities may include:

Awareness campaigns.
Educational programmes.
Training sessions.
Research activities.
Community engagement initiatives.
Digital literacy projects.

Step 3: Demonstrate Impact

Applicants should explain:

Expected outcomes.
Number of beneficiaries.
Long-term sustainability.
Contribution to democratic resilience.

Step 4: Submit the Proposal

Applicants must submit their application according to the requirements of the EEA Civil Society Fund.

Examples of Potential Supported Activities

Projects may include:

Workshops teaching citizens how to identify fake information.
Digital literacy programmes for vulnerable groups.
Campaigns promoting responsible online behaviour.
Research on disinformation trends.
Tools improving access to trustworthy information.
Networks supporting cooperation among civil society organisations.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Clearly connect activities with disinformation challenges.
Explain the social impact of the project.
Include measurable indicators.
Demonstrate relevant organisational experience.
Highlight partnerships and community involvement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting projects unrelated to disinformation.
Focusing only on technology without addressing social impact.
Providing unclear objectives.
Missing legal eligibility requirements.
Failing to explain how results will continue after funding ends.

Why This Grant Matters

Disinformation can weaken public trust, increase social division, and affect democratic decision-making.

This grant programme helps civil society organisations build stronger communities by supporting:

Critical thinking.
Human rights protection.
Democratic participation.
Responsible information sharing.
Digital resilience.

By empowering organisations and citizens, the programme contributes to a healthier and more informed information environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Countering Disinformation Grant?

The grant supports civil society organisations working to reduce the impact of disinformation and strengthen democratic resilience through education, awareness, and community action.

Who provides funding for this programme?

The programme is supported by the EEA Civil Society Fund.

How much funding is available?

The total grant budget is EUR 2,928,000, with around 30 grants expected to be awarded. An additional EUR 480,000 supports capacity-building activities.

Who can apply for the grant?

Registered civil society organisations in Poland, including associations, foundations, social cooperatives, country housewives’ associations, and faith-based organisations, may apply if they meet eligibility requirements.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects related to digital literacy, reliable information access, awareness campaigns, critical thinking, human rights, and democratic resilience against disinformation are eligible.

Does the programme support projects addressing AI-generated misinformation?

Yes. The programme recognises challenges created by increasing digital content production, including misinformation generated through AI-based tools.

Why is countering disinformation important?

Countering disinformation helps protect public trust, democratic values, human rights, and citizens’ ability to make informed decisions.

Conclusion

The Countering Disinformation Grant Programme provides important support for civil society organisations working to protect information integrity and strengthen democratic societies. By funding awareness, education, and community-based solutions, the programme helps citizens develop the skills needed to navigate today’s complex digital information environment.