Open Call: Project Promoter to Strengthen Civil Society Cohesion (Slovakia)

Deadline: 31-May-2026

The EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia has launched Open Call No. 4 to select a Project Promoter for the pre-defined project PDP3: “Supporting the Cohesion of the Civil Sector.” The call offers a grant of €80,000 to a non-profit civil society organisation established in Slovakia to lead a project focused on sector-wide analysis, national-level dialogue, networking, and strengthening cooperation across civil society.

Overview

The EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia Open Call No. 4 invites eligible Slovak civil society organisations to apply as the Project Promoter for the pre-defined project PDP3 – Supporting the Cohesion of the Civil Sector.

The call is designed to strengthen cohesion, solidarity, cooperation, and shared understanding across the civil society sector in Slovakia. It supports a project that combines sector-level analytical work with national-level gatherings and dialogue spaces to help civil society actors better understand common challenges and work together more strategically.

This is a strong opportunity for experienced umbrella organisations, networks, sector support organisations, civic platforms, and democracy-focused CSOs that can coordinate reflection and collaboration across the wider civil sector.

Key Details

• Call Name: EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia – Open Call No. 4
• Project Type: Selection of a Project Promoter
• Pre-defined Project: PDP3 – Supporting the Cohesion of the Civil Sector
• Country: Slovakia
• Grant Amount: €80,000
• Eligible Applicants: Non-profit civil society organisations established in Slovakia
• Main Focus: Civil society cohesion, sector analysis, dialogue, networking, and collective positioning

Purpose of the Call

The call aims to support a project that helps build a more cohesive, resilient, and strategically grounded civil society sector in Slovakia.

The selected organisation will lead a project that:

• Strengthens cooperation across civil society
• Creates shared understanding of sector challenges
• Supports dialogue and trust-building
• Encourages coordinated reflection and collective positioning
• Produces evidence to inform future sector cooperation

The overall goal is to reinforce a civil society sector that can better protect and promote:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Human rights
• Equality
• Civic participation

What the Project Must Include

The project must combine two connected and mutually reinforcing components.

1. Sector-Level Analytical Work

Applicants must include analytical work that examines the broader civil society environment in Slovakia.

This should explore:

• Structural challenges facing civil society
• Shared narratives across the sector
• Risks affecting:
  • Democracy
  • Rule of law
  • Human rights
• Current position of civil society in Slovakia
• Opportunities for stronger sector coordination

A key expected output is a sector-relevant study that provides an evidence-based foundation for future cooperation and collective action.

2. National-Level Gatherings and Dialogue Spaces

The project must also include at least two national-level gatherings.

These gatherings should:

• Create inclusive spaces for dialogue
• Support networking and exchange
• Build trust and relationships across civil society
• Encourage coordinated reflection
• Help civil society actors develop a more coherent shared position

The gatherings are expected to strengthen solidarity and improve collaboration across different organisations and sub-sectors.

How the Two Components Should Work Together

A central requirement of the call is that the analytical work and the gatherings must meaningfully inform each other.

Applicants have flexibility to propose the sequencing and methodology, but the final design should clearly show how:

• The analysis shapes discussion and reflection
• The dialogue spaces contribute insights to the study
• Both components together improve sector cohesion and strategic alignment

This integrated approach is essential to the project’s purpose.

Core Values and Alignment

All activities must align with the EEA Civil Society Fund’s core values.

Projects should clearly reflect commitment to:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Human rights
• Equality
• Civic participation

In addition, the project should strengthen:

• Solidarity within civil society
• Shared understanding across organisations
• Collective capacity
• Sector resilience

Funding Amount

The selected Project Promoter will receive:

• Grant Amount: €80,000

This is a fixed project grant for implementing the full pre-defined project.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to non-profit civil society organisations established in Slovakia.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be:

• Established in Slovakia
• Non-profit civil society organisations
• Independent from:
  • Government
  • Political parties
  • Public entities
  • Commercial organisations

Eligible Legal Forms

Applicants must meet the relevant Slovak registration requirements and may include:

• Civic associations
• Foundations
• Non-profit organisations providing public beneficial services
• Non-investment funds
• Slovak Red Cross

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible:

• Religious institutions
• Political parties
• Social partners
• Profit-distributing cooperatives
• Informal groups

However:

• Faith-based organisations may apply if their activities do not promote religious doctrine

Additional Compliance Requirements

Applicants must also:

• Comply with the Programme’s Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Persons and Children
• Meet all relevant legal registration and operational requirements under Slovak legislation

These compliance conditions are important and should be checked carefully before applying.

Role of the Selected Project Promoter

The selected organisation will be responsible for the full project cycle.

This includes:

• Initiating the project
• Preparing the implementation plan
• Delivering all project activities
• Ensuring alignment with programme values
• Producing the required analytical output
• Organising at least two national-level gatherings
• Creating spaces for dialogue and reflection
• Supporting future cooperation within the civil society sector

The Project Promoter should be capable of managing both research/analysis and sector convening.

Best Fit Applicants

This call is especially suitable for:

• Civil society umbrella organisations
• National CSO networks
• Democracy and governance organisations
• Sector support or capacity-building organisations
• Human rights platforms
• Policy and advocacy organisations with convening experience

Strong applicants will likely have:

• Experience working across the civil society sector
• Ability to facilitate inclusive dialogue
• Capacity to produce or commission analytical work
• Credibility with diverse CSO actors
• Strong understanding of democratic and human rights issues in Slovakia

Why This Call Matters

This is an important call because it is not just funding a single thematic project — it is funding a sector-strengthening initiative.

It aims to help civil society in Slovakia:

• Better understand shared risks and structural pressures
• Build stronger internal trust and relationships
• Develop a more coherent collective voice
• Improve long-term cooperation
• Strengthen its role in defending democracy and rights

For organisations working on civic space, sector resilience, democratic governance, or CSO coordination, this is a strategically valuable opportunity.

FAQs

What is Open Call No. 4 about?

It is a call to select a Project Promoter for the pre-defined project PDP3: Supporting the Cohesion of the Civil Sector under the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia.

How much funding is available?

The selected organisation will receive €80,000.

Who can apply?

Non-profit civil society organisations established in Slovakia that are independent of government, political parties, public entities, and commercial organisations.

Are faith-based organisations eligible?

Yes, but only if their activities do not promote religious doctrine.

What must the project include?

The project must include:

• Sector-level analytical work
• At least two national-level gatherings
• Dialogue, networking, and reflection spaces
• An evidence-based study for future sector cooperation

Can applicants decide how to structure the project?

Yes. Applicants may propose the sequencing and methodology, but the analytical work and gatherings must clearly inform each other.

Are informal groups eligible?

No. Informal groups are not eligible.

What is the main goal of the project?

To strengthen cohesion, cooperation, trust, and shared understanding across the civil society sector in Slovakia.

Final Takeaway

The EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia Open Call No. 4 is a focused and strategic opportunity for a Slovak non-profit civil society organisation to lead a €80,000 sector-strengthening project.

By combining analytical research, national-level dialogue, and collective reflection, the selected Project Promoter will help build a more cohesive, resilient, and collaborative civil society sector that is better equipped to defend democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Slovakia.

For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.