Deadline: 01-Oct-2025
The International Visegrad Fund has opened the Visegrad+ Grants, aimed at driving transformation and democratization in countries across the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans regions.
This grant mechanism encourages creative collaboration between Visegrad Group member countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—and their partners abroad to address shared challenges and foster regional development.
To qualify, projects must involve organizations from at least three V4 countries along with one entity from an Eastern Partnership or Western Balkans nation. For Ukrainian-led proposals, there is a temporary exception: they need only two V4 partners to proceed. Projects should be implemented in the targeted regions or yield tangible local impact there.
Selected initiatives may receive funding of up to 100 percent of the project budget, with as much as 15 percent allocated for overheads. The typical funding range is between €25,000 and €35,000, and projects can run for up to 18 months. Consortia should align their work with one of the fund’s thematic priorities, which include culture, education, innovation, media, institutional cooperation, regional development, and social inclusion.
To be considered, each project must align with one of seven program objectives. In culture and common identity, projects may create or present new artistic works, explore shared heritage, or foster cultural cooperation across borders. Education and capacity building initiatives can strengthen professional networks, support mobility, and improve 21st-century skills. Innovation and entrepreneurship projects may develop business clusters, tackle economic challenges, or advance scientific research and technology. Democratic values and media projects focus on citizen participation, transparency, and resilience against disinformation. Public policy and institutional partnerships encourage knowledge exchange, policy development, and governance reform. Regional development, environment, and tourism initiatives explore sustainable tourism, environmental protection, climate change solutions, and infrastructure improvement. Social development projects address inclusion, intergenerational dialogue, health, and active lifestyles.
Eligibility to apply is open to any non-governmental, legal entity from any country that meets the partnership criteria. The fund primarily targets civil society organizations, public educational, cultural, research and scientific institutions, municipalities, and local governments. Market actors, such as companies with a focus on innovation and start-ups, may also participate if their project is of a non-profit nature. Natural persons and institutions directly subordinated to state administrations, such as ministries, agencies, embassies, or state-funded bodies, cannot apply or be considered valid partners. Private entrepreneurs are also not eligible to apply.
This grant presents a compelling opportunity to build meaningful partnerships, share expertise, and contribute to sustainable progress across Central and Eastern Europe.
For more information, visit International Visegrad Fund.
