Deadline: 22-Jun-2026
The Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation, together with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Sarajevo, has launched the Small Grants Call for Proposals 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The program supports small-scale development projects in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, governance, civil society development, climate action, environmental protection, and gender equality, with grants of up to €10,000 per project.
About the Small Grants Programme 2026
The Small Grants Programme 2026 is designed to support practical and community-focused development initiatives that address local needs and contribute to sustainable social and economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The programme is implemented by the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation in cooperation with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Sarajevo.
The initiative forms part of Slovakia’s international development cooperation efforts and aligns with the Medium-term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2025–2030. Through this funding opportunity, eligible organizations can implement small-scale projects that generate measurable benefits for local communities while contributing to broader development objectives.
The programme emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness, enabling local organizations and public institutions to address pressing development challenges through targeted interventions that can be completed within a relatively short implementation period.
Funding Available
The programme has a total allocation of €20,000 for the 2026 funding round.
Key funding details include:
- Total available funding: €20,000
- Maximum grant per project: €10,000
- Project duration: 6 to 12 months
- Projects must begin after the Small Grant Agreement enters into force
- Funding supports small-scale development initiatives with tangible community impact
Since the maximum grant amount is €10,000, multiple projects may be funded under the programme.
Programme Objectives
The Small Grants Programme aims to:
- Support sustainable local development
- Improve living conditions within communities
- Strengthen environmental sustainability
- Enhance food security and agricultural productivity
- Promote entrepreneurship and economic growth
- Improve access to quality healthcare
- Strengthen educational opportunities and skills development
- Support democratic governance and citizen participation
- Build stronger civil society organizations
- Promote climate resilience and environmental protection
- Advance gender equality and social inclusion
Projects should demonstrate clear development outcomes and align with one or more of the programme’s priority sectors.
Priority Areas for Funding
Infrastructure and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Projects in this sector should contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources and the improvement of local infrastructure.
Examples of eligible activities include:
- Water supply improvements
- Wastewater management systems
- Waste management initiatives
- Environmental restoration projects
- Sustainable urban development
- Green infrastructure projects
- Disaster risk reduction measures
- Sustainable forest management
- Environmental conservation initiatives
Projects should demonstrate long-term environmental and community benefits.
Food Security and Agriculture
The programme supports initiatives that improve agricultural productivity, food security, and sustainable farming practices.
Eligible activities may include:
- Agricultural training programmes
- Sustainable farming techniques
- Food production improvements
- Community agriculture initiatives
- Agri-food sector employment projects
- Introduction of innovative farming technologies
- Sustainable land-use management
- Ecosystem-friendly agricultural practices
Projects should help strengthen local food systems and increase economic opportunities within rural communities.
Support for a Market-Oriented Environment
This priority area focuses on strengthening local economies and promoting sustainable business development.
Examples of supported activities include:
- Entrepreneurship development
- Business innovation projects
- Digital transformation initiatives
- Support for micro-enterprises
- Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Employment generation programmes
- Skills development for entrepreneurs
- Responsible business conduct initiatives
Projects should contribute to economic growth, innovation, and job creation.
Good Health
Healthcare-related projects should focus on improving health outcomes and access to services.
Priority areas include:
- Maternal health programmes
- Child health initiatives
- Nutrition improvement projects
- Public health awareness campaigns
- Mental health support services
- Healthcare facility improvements
- Medical equipment provision
- Training for healthcare professionals
- Training for social service workers
Projects should demonstrate measurable health benefits for target populations.
Quality Education
The programme supports education initiatives at all levels.
Eligible activities may include:
- Early childhood education support
- Primary and secondary education projects
- Vocational education and training
- Skills development programmes
- Teacher training initiatives
- Professional development for educational staff
- Educational infrastructure improvements
- Equipment and learning resource provision
- Lifelong learning programmes
Projects should improve educational quality, access, and learning outcomes.
Good Governance and Civil Society Development
Projects under this theme should strengthen democratic institutions, public administration, and civic participation.
Examples include:
- Local governance strengthening
- Public finance management initiatives
- Rule of law projects
- Capacity building for local authorities
- Citizen engagement programmes
- Civil society strengthening
- Transparency and accountability initiatives
- Community participation projects
- Conflict prevention activities
- Reconciliation initiatives
- Municipal digitalization projects
- Institutional modernization efforts
Projects should contribute to stronger, more inclusive, and accountable governance systems.
Cross-Cutting Themes
All projects are encouraged to integrate one or more cross-cutting priorities.
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Applicants should consider how their projects contribute to:
- Climate change mitigation
- Climate adaptation
- Environmental protection
- Ecosystem resilience
- Biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable resource management
- Soil protection
- Green transition initiatives
Environmental sustainability should be integrated wherever possible.
Gender Equality
The programme promotes gender-responsive development and equal opportunities.
Projects may contribute to:
- Eliminating discrimination
- Preventing gender-based violence
- Increasing access to healthcare
- Expanding educational opportunities
- Improving women’s participation in decision-making
- Supporting women’s economic empowerment
- Promoting workplace equality
- Advancing social inclusion
Applicants should explain how gender considerations are incorporated into project design and implementation.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include legally registered organizations operating within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Eligible entities include:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Non-profit organizations
- Registered non-commercial legal entities
- Local self-government units
- Regional self-government units
- Civil society organizations
Applicants must be legally established and capable of implementing development projects within the proposed timeframe.
Ineligible Applicants
The following entities are not eligible:
- Organizations subject to international sanctions under Slovak legislation
- Applicants with outstanding financial claims owed to the Slovak Republic
- Unregistered entities
- For-profit entities not meeting programme requirements
- Organizations that fail to meet legal eligibility conditions
Applicants should ensure compliance with all eligibility requirements before submitting a proposal.
Eligible Project Duration
Projects should be designed for short-term implementation and practical results.
Key requirements include:
- Duration between 6 and 12 months
- Activities begin after grant agreement approval
- Clear implementation schedule
- Realistic and achievable objectives
- Measurable outcomes within the project period
Projects should be feasible within the available funding and implementation timeframe.
Why This Grant Matters
Many local organizations and municipalities have innovative ideas that address important community needs but lack sufficient resources to implement them. The Small Grants Programme helps bridge this gap by providing accessible funding for impactful local development projects.
The programme contributes to:
- Sustainable economic growth
- Improved public services
- Stronger democratic institutions
- Better environmental management
- Increased social inclusion
- Enhanced educational opportunities
- Improved healthcare access
- Greater climate resilience
- Stronger local communities
By funding practical and community-driven solutions, the programme supports long-term development and positive social change throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Programme Priorities
Carefully assess the priority sectors and identify where your project aligns with programme objectives.
Step 2: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organization meets all legal and administrative eligibility requirements.
Step 3: Develop a Project Concept
Define the problem, target beneficiaries, objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and sustainability measures.
Step 4: Prepare a Detailed Budget
Create a realistic budget that clearly demonstrates how grant funds will be used.
Step 5: Integrate Cross-Cutting Themes
Where appropriate, include environmental sustainability and gender equality considerations within the project design.
Step 6: Complete the Application
Submit all required forms and supporting documentation before the application deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:
- Clearly demonstrating local need
- Presenting realistic and measurable outcomes
- Showing strong community benefits
- Aligning closely with programme priorities
- Including sustainability measures
- Demonstrating organizational capacity
- Providing a clear implementation plan
- Incorporating gender and environmental considerations
Strong applications clearly connect activities to measurable development outcomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common reasons applications may be less competitive include:
- Weak alignment with priority sectors
- Unclear project objectives
- Unrealistic budgets
- Insufficient implementation planning
- Lack of measurable outcomes
- Failure to address sustainability
- Missing supporting documents
- Ignoring cross-cutting themes
Careful preparation and attention to programme requirements can significantly improve funding prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum grant amount available?
Applicants may request up to €10,000 per project.
What is the total budget for the call?
The total funding allocation available under the 2026 call is €20,000.
Who can apply for funding?
Registered non-commercial legal entities, NGOs, civil society organizations, and local or regional self-government units are eligible to apply.
What sectors are supported?
The programme supports infrastructure, natural resource management, agriculture, economic development, health, education, governance, civil society development, climate action, environmental sustainability, and gender equality.
How long can projects last?
Projects should generally be implemented within a period of 6 to 12 months.
Are climate and environmental projects eligible?
Yes. Climate change mitigation, adaptation, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management are important programme priorities.
Is gender equality a funding priority?
Yes. Gender equality is a cross-cutting theme and applicants are encouraged to integrate gender-responsive approaches into their projects.
Conclusion
The Small Grants Programme 2026 in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides an important opportunity for NGOs, non-profit organizations, and local governments to implement impactful development projects that address local challenges and improve community wellbeing. With funding of up to €10,000 per project, the programme supports initiatives in infrastructure, agriculture, economic development, healthcare, education, governance, climate action, and gender equality.
Organizations with innovative, community-driven, and sustainable project ideas that align with Slovakia’s development cooperation priorities should consider applying. Projects that demonstrate strong local impact, measurable outcomes, and effective integration of environmental and social considerations will be well positioned for success.
For more information, visit Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Sarajevo.