Small Grants Supporting Civil Society and Democratic Values (Slovakia)

The EEA Civil Society Fund Small Grants Call provides grants of up to €25,000 to civil society organizations in Slovakia working to strengthen democracy, transparency, inclusion, human rights, and public participation. With a total funding budget of €990,000, the program supports short-term projects lasting 1 to 12 months that address key social and democratic challenges through advocacy, community engagement, policy development, media literacy, and social inclusion.

EEA Civil Society Fund Small Grants Call

The EEA Civil Society Fund Small Grants Call supports civil society organizations in Slovakia that work to strengthen democracy, protect human rights, promote transparency, encourage public participation, and build a more inclusive society. The program aims to enhance the role of nonprofit organizations in addressing social challenges, improving governance, supporting vulnerable communities, and increasing citizen engagement.

The fund responds to current democratic challenges, including declining public trust, misinformation, social polarization, the impact of the war in Ukraine, refugee integration, and the need for stronger civic participation across Slovakia.

Focus Areas

The program supports projects in areas such as:

• Strengthening civil society organizations
• Protecting democratic values and the public interest
• Advocacy and watchdog activities
• Public policy development and participation
• Legal and policy analysis
• Strategic communication
• Evidence-based advocacy
• Government transparency and accountability
• Equal opportunities
• Social inclusion
• Integration of migrants and refugees
• Community solidarity
• Countering disinformation
• Independent journalism
• Fact-checking initiatives
• Media and information literacy
• Strengthening democratic public debate
• Reducing discrimination
• Supporting Roma communities
• Advancing gender equality
• Supporting LGBTIQ+ inclusion
• Promoting disability inclusion
• Community engagement and civic participation

Grant Amount

• Total funding available: €990,000
• Maximum grant per project: Up to €25,000
• Project duration: 1–12 months

Program Objectives

The EEA Civil Society Fund seeks to strengthen the capacity and long-term sustainability of civil society organizations across Slovakia.

Supported projects should contribute to:

• Stronger democratic institutions
• Greater civic participation
• Improved public accountability
• Better policy-making through civil society engagement
• Increased transparency in government
• Protection of vulnerable communities
• Stronger social cohesion
• Greater resilience against misinformation
• Inclusive and equitable public policies

What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?

Eligible projects may include:

• Advocacy campaigns
• Public awareness initiatives
• Community engagement activities
• Legal assistance services
• Watchdog and monitoring projects
• Public policy research
• Legislative analysis
• Strategic communication campaigns
• Media literacy programs
• Fact-checking initiatives
• Independent journalism projects
• Activities promoting transparency
• Social inclusion initiatives
• Refugee integration projects
• Anti-discrimination campaigns
• Projects supporting Roma communities
• Gender equality initiatives
• Disability inclusion programs
• LGBTIQ+ inclusion activities
• Community dialogue and participation programs

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organizations registered in Slovakia
• Non-profit organizations
• Voluntary organizations
• Independent civic organizations
• Public benefit organizations
• Non-commercial associations

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered in Slovakia
• Operate on a voluntary and non-profit basis
• Be independent of government authorities
• Be independent of political parties
• Be independent of commercial organizations
• Use any generated income only to support their mission
• Not distribute profits to members or governing bodies
• Agree to comply with the EEA Civil Society Fund’s Policy on the Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable Persons and Children
• Submit a signed Declaration of Honour with the application

Who is Not Eligible?

The following applicants are not eligible:

• Religious institutions
• Political parties
• Social partners
• Profit-sharing cooperatives
• Commercial businesses
• Government agencies
• Organizations established primarily for profit-making purposes

Why This Grant Matters

Civil society organizations play an essential role in strengthening democratic governance, protecting human rights, and ensuring citizens have a voice in public decision-making.

This funding helps organizations:

• Build stronger democratic institutions
• Improve government accountability
• Promote social justice
• Protect vulnerable populations
• Increase civic participation
• Counter misinformation
• Strengthen community resilience
• Encourage inclusive public dialogue
• Foster long-term social cohesion

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm that the organization meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Develop a project that aligns with one or more program priorities.
3. Define clear objectives, expected outcomes, and measurable impact.
4. Prepare a realistic project budget.
5. Ensure the project duration falls between 1 and 12 months.
6. Complete the official application form.
7. Sign the required Declaration of Honour.
8. Agree to comply with the Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable Persons and Children Policy.
9. Submit the application before the official deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly explain the problem your project addresses.
• Demonstrate how the project supports democracy, transparency, or inclusion.
• Include measurable outcomes and indicators.
• Show community involvement and stakeholder engagement.
• Present a realistic implementation plan.
• Provide a clear and justified budget.
• Demonstrate organizational capacity and relevant experience.
• Explain how project results will continue after funding ends.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Proposing activities outside the program priorities.
• Providing vague objectives or expected outcomes.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to explain community impact.
• Ignoring required compliance declarations.
• Submitting applications after the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this grant?

Civil society organizations legally registered in Slovakia that operate on a voluntary, independent, and non-profit basis.

How much funding is available?

Projects may receive grants of up to €25,000, with a total program budget of €990,000.

How long can projects run?

Projects may be implemented over a period of 1 to 12 months.

What types of activities are supported?

The program supports advocacy, public policy, transparency initiatives, media literacy, community engagement, legal aid, social inclusion, anti-discrimination projects, independent journalism, and democracy-strengthening activities.

Are government organizations eligible?

No. Government institutions and organizations controlled by public authorities are not eligible.

Can organizations generate income and still apply?

Yes. Organizations may generate income provided it supports their mission and is not their primary purpose or distributed as profit.

What documents are required?

Applicants must complete the application, provide the required supporting documents, and submit a signed Declaration of Honour confirming compliance with the program’s protection policies.

Conclusion

The EEA Civil Society Fund Small Grants Call offers an important funding opportunity for Slovak civil society organizations working to strengthen democracy, human rights, transparency, and social inclusion. By providing grants of up to €25,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months, the program enables nonprofit organizations to deliver impactful initiatives that promote civic participation, protect vulnerable communities, improve public accountability, and build a more resilient and inclusive society.