Grants for EaP CSOs to Strengthen Civil Society Resilience

Deadline: 13-Mar-2026

The Transatlantic Foundation, in partnership with the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, invites Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to apply for €20,000 grants. The program supports capacity-building initiatives that strengthen civil society resilience against political repression, disinformation, conflicts, and geopolitical risks across the EaP region.

Programme Overview

This grant initiative supports capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening the resilience and sustainability of civil society organizations (CSOs), including organizations operating in exile.

The program targets CSOs in the six Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries and focuses on equipping them with tools and strategies to navigate regional and country-specific risks.

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: €20,000 per project

• Project Duration: Up to 6 months

• Target Participants: Average of 20 diverse CSO representatives per program

• Delivery Format: Combination of online and offline training sessions conducted over 3–4 months

Primary Objective

The main goal is to equip CSOs with knowledge, practical tools, and strategic frameworks to mitigate and navigate:

• Geopolitical risks

• Disinformation and malign narratives

• Digital security threats

• Political repression

• Ongoing or frozen conflicts

• Legal constraints and restrictive civic space

• Polarization and weak social engagement

• Domestic political and cultural challenges

Focus Areas for Proposed Projects

Applicants are encouraged to design structured capacity-building programs that include:

• Development of training modules, seminars, and workshops

• Design or improvement of course curricula and methodologies

• Safeguarding strategies against political repression and shrinking civic space

• Tools to counter disinformation and digital threats

• Online and in-person training sessions delivered over 3–4 months

• Engagement of approximately 20 CSO participants per cohort

• Cross-border collaboration and networking opportunities

Projects may include tailored content addressing both regional-level challenges and country-specific risks.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a Civil Society Organization (CSO) operating in or working with the Eastern Partnership region

• Have a proven track record in addressing risks faced by civil society through capacity-building activities

• Demonstrate experience delivering blended (online and offline) training programs

• Be based in or have strong operational experience in at least one of the six EaP countries

• Show capacity to manage grant funding and implement activities within six months

How the Programme Works

1. Eligible CSOs design a structured resilience-focused training program.

2. The proposal outlines curriculum design, methodology, participant selection, and implementation plan.

3. Selected organizations receive €20,000 to implement the program.

4. Training is delivered over 3–4 months using both online and in-person formats.

5. Participants gain tools to address political, digital, and geopolitical challenges.

6. Projects conclude within a maximum six-month grant period.

Why This Grant Matters

Civil society organizations in the Eastern Partnership region face increasing challenges including political repression, disinformation campaigns, and geopolitical instability. Strengthening institutional resilience and adaptive capacity is critical to ensuring continued civic engagement, democratic participation, and social stability.

This grant supports sustainable civil society development by promoting:

• Risk mitigation strategies

• Cross-border networking

• Knowledge exchange

• Digital and political resilience

• Long-term institutional capacity building

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposals lacking clear training structure or curriculum details

• Insufficient demonstration of prior capacity-building experience

• Weak integration of regional and country-specific risk analysis

• Unrealistic timelines exceeding six months

• Lack of clear participant selection and diversity criteria

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for this grant?
Civil Society Organizations operating in or experienced within the six Eastern Partnership countries.

2. How much funding is available per project?
Each selected project receives €20,000.

3. What is the maximum project duration?
Up to six months.

4. What type of activities are funded?
Capacity-building programs including training sessions, curriculum development, seminars, and networking initiatives.

5. Is cross-border cooperation encouraged?
Yes, cross-border activities and networking are encouraged where relevant.

6. Can programs be fully online?
No, applicants must demonstrate experience delivering both online and offline components.

7. How many participants should a project target?
Approximately 20 diverse CSO participants per training cycle.

Conclusion

The Transatlantic Foundation and the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation provide a strategic opportunity for Eastern Partnership CSOs to strengthen resilience against political, digital, and geopolitical threats. By supporting structured, blended capacity-building programs, this €20,000 grant initiative enhances civil society’s ability to adapt, collaborate, and safeguard democratic engagement in a challenging regional environment.

For more information, visit GMF.