Deadline: 31-May-2026
The EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia, supported by the EEA Grants, is accepting applications under Open Call No. 3 to select one Project Promoter for a pre-defined project that strengthens legal protection, crisis preparedness, and institutional resilience for civil society organisations in Slovakia. The selected organisation will receive a full grant of €140,000 to provide legal support and strategic protection for CSOs facing legal, administrative, and reputational pressure.
What is EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia Open Call No. 3?
Open Call No. 3 under the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia is a targeted funding opportunity designed to strengthen the protection and resilience of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Slovakia.
Unlike a standard multi-grant call, this call will select one Project Promoter to implement a pre-defined project focused on helping CSOs respond to growing threats such as:
- Abusive legal proceedings
- SLAPP-type lawsuits
- Administrative harassment
- Retaliatory actions
- Reputational attacks
This is a highly relevant civil society protection and legal defence grant in Slovakia.
Funding Overview
Grant Amount
- Total grant available: €140,000
- Funding model: The full amount will be awarded to one selected Project Promoter
This means the call is not for multiple small grants. It is for one lead non-profit organisation that can design and deliver the full intervention.
Project Focus and Priorities
The project is built around three interconnected priorities.
1. Legal Protection (Core Priority)
This is the central and strategic objective of the call.
The selected Project Promoter is expected to provide:
- Specialised legal services
- Expert legal consultations
- Legal representation where necessary
- Defence against abusive or retaliatory legal actions
- Strategic litigation to protect civic freedoms and fundamental rights
2. Crisis Preparedness (Supporting Pillar)
This area helps CSOs prepare for and respond to threats before they escalate.
It may include:
- Crisis response systems
- Legal risk anticipation
- Organisational preparedness mechanisms
- Response protocols for hostile actions
3. Institutional Resilience (Supporting Pillar)
This priority aims to help civil society organisations remain stable and functional under pressure.
It may involve:
- Resilience-building systems
- Operational continuity support
- Institutional safeguards
- Stronger internal response capacity
Why This Call Matters
This call responds to a growing environment of pressure on advocacy and rights-based civil society organisations in Slovakia.
It is especially relevant for organisations working on:
- Advocacy
- Watchdog activities
- Human rights protection
- Gender equality
- Minority rights
The intervention recognises that many CSOs face:
- Legal intimidation
- Administrative retaliation
- Public smear campaigns
- Restrictions on civic participation
- Strategic lawsuits aimed at silencing dissent
By funding one strong Project Promoter, the programme aims to create a structured legal and crisis support mechanism for vulnerable civil society actors.
What Will the Selected Project Promoter Do?
The selected organisation must implement the pre-defined project and develop a practical delivery model.
Expected Responsibilities
The Project Promoter will be expected to:
- Design and deliver specialised legal support services
- Provide expert legal consultations
- Offer legal representation when needed
- Prepare and conduct strategic litigation where appropriate
- Defend CSOs against abusive, retaliatory, or politically motivated legal actions
- Build systems for crisis preparedness and response
- Strengthen institutional resilience of beneficiary organisations
What Applicants Must Propose
Although the project scope is predefined, applicants must still submit a strong implementation plan that explains:
- The implementation methodology
- Operational systems for legal and crisis support
- Transparent criteria for selecting beneficiary organisations
- A sustainable delivery model
- Effective partnership arrangements, if relevant
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be:
- Non-profit civil society organisations established in Slovakia
- Operating independently of:
- Government
- Political parties
- Commercial entities
Values and Compliance Requirements
Eligible applicants must uphold principles of:
- Human dignity
- Freedom
- Democracy
- Equality
- Rule of law
- Respect for human rights
- Respect for minority rights
They must also comply with the Programme’s:
- Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Persons and Children
Eligible Organisation Types
The call accepts legally recognised non-profit structures under Slovak law, including:
- Civic associations
- Foundations
- Non-profit organisations providing public benefit services
- Non-investment funds
- Other legally recognised non-profit entities
Who is Not Eligible?
The following are not eligible:
- Religious institutions
- Political parties
Important Exception
- Faith-based organisations may apply only if their activities do not promote religious doctrines
Additional Structural Conditions
All applicants must:
- Operate on a non-profit basis
- Ensure no distribution of profits
- Maintain voluntary and independent governance structures
How to Apply
This call is designed to appoint one Project Promoter, so applicants should prepare a strong, implementation-focused proposal.
Recommended Application Steps
- Confirm that your organisation is a registered non-profit CSO in Slovakia
- Check that your organisation is independent from government, political parties, and commercial entities
- Ensure your structure fits an eligible legal form
- Review whether your work aligns with:
- Legal protection
- Civil society defence
- Human rights
- Advocacy or watchdog support
- Develop a proposal that explains:
- How legal services will be delivered
- How crisis support will function
- How beneficiary CSOs will be selected
- How institutional resilience will be strengthened
- Build a realistic plan for using the full €140,000
- Include any relevant partnerships, legal expertise, or operational capacity
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your chances, make sure your proposal:
- Clearly treats legal protection as the main objective
- Shows practical experience supporting at-risk civil society organisations
- Demonstrates legal expertise or access to qualified legal partners
- Includes a clear method for handling SLAPPs, harassment, and retaliatory actions
- Defines transparent beneficiary selection criteria
- Shows how support will be sustainable and accessible
- Explains how crisis preparedness and resilience support complement legal defence
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common weaknesses:
- Treating the call as a general CSO support project instead of a legal protection intervention
- Failing to explain how legal services will actually be delivered
- Weak or vague crisis response mechanisms
- No clear system for selecting beneficiary organisations
- Overlooking the call’s values and compliance requirements
- Submitting a proposal without demonstrating non-profit independence
- Ignoring the need for a sustainable support model
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia Open Call No. 3?
It is a funding call under the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia to select one Project Promoter for a pre-defined project that strengthens legal protection, crisis preparedness, and institutional resilience for civil society organisations in Slovakia.
2. How much funding is available?
- Total grant available: €140,000
- The full amount will be awarded to one selected organisation
3. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are:
- Non-profit civil society organisations established in Slovakia
- Independent from government, political parties, and commercial entities
4. What types of organisations are eligible?
Eligible legal forms include:
- Civic associations
- Foundations
- Non-profit public benefit organisations
- Non-investment funds
- Other recognised non-profit entities under Slovak law
5. What is the main focus of the project?
The core focus is legal protection for CSOs, supported by:
- Crisis preparedness
- Institutional resilience
6. Can faith-based organisations apply?
Yes, but only in limited cases. Faith-based organisations may apply if their activities do not promote religious doctrines.
7. What kinds of threats is the project meant to address?
The project is designed to respond to:
- Abusive legal proceedings
- SLAPP-type lawsuits
- Administrative harassment
- Retaliatory actions
- Reputational attacks against CSOs
Conclusion
The EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia Open Call No. 3 is a specialised funding opportunity for one Slovak non-profit civil society organisation capable of delivering legal protection, crisis response, and resilience support to vulnerable CSOs. With a €140,000 full grant, the call is especially relevant for organisations with strong expertise in human rights, legal defence, advocacy protection, and civic space support.
For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.
