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Apply Now: Strengthening Palestinian Civil Society (Palestine)

Deadline: 22-Mar-2026

The “Strengthening Palestinian Civil Society” project provides sub-grants of EUR 10,000–20,000 to women- and youth-led CSOs in Palestine. The initiative supports democratic engagement, inclusive dialogue, and community resilience through rapid-response civic mechanisms, leadership development, and capacity-building programs.

About the Project

The project empowers Palestinian civil society actors while promoting women and youth leadership in democratic processes. It addresses challenges such as political stagnation, restricted civic space, patriarchal norms, social polarization, and fragmented governance between the West Bank and Gaza. By supporting CSOs, the project strengthens community participation, accountability, and social cohesion, enabling sustainable civic engagement under complex socio-political conditions.

Focus Areas

Key focus areas include:

  • Rapid-response mechanisms: emergency civic action funds, legal aid, and rights-violation documentation

  • Inclusive community dialogue: forums, shadow councils, and platforms for structured participation

  • Capacity strengthening for women- and youth-led CSOs: sub-grants, mentoring, and the Feminist Leadership School

  • Integration of international agendas: Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) and youth inclusion (UNSCR 2250)

  • Advancing inclusive governance, community engagement, social cohesion, collective resilience, and accountability

Challenges Addressed

  • Limited civic participation due to occupation, political stagnation, and shrinking civic space

  • Geographic and institutional fragmentation between West Bank and Gaza reducing public trust

  • Economic precarity and restricted mobility affecting CSO sustainability and outreach

  • Patriarchal norms, social polarization, and conflict limiting safe and inclusive dialogue

  • Restricted resources and safe spaces for women and youth leadership

Project Structure

The initiative is built on three pillars:

  1. Rapid civic mobilization and protection of civic actors

  2. Strengthening inclusive community dialogue mechanisms

  3. Collective capacity building through sub-grants and institutional development

Under the current Call for Proposals, the third pillar focuses on women- and youth-led CSOs, supporting organizational impact, internal governance, and sustainability. Each sub-grant ranges from EUR 10,000 to EUR 20,000 and combines financial support, mentoring, compliance guidance, and strategic accompaniment.

Eligible Actions

Proposed initiatives must demonstrate measurable contributions to democratic engagement, structured participation, accountability, and inclusive dialogue. Activities may include:

  • Civic engagement and public accountability projects

  • Community dialogue forums

  • Leadership development for women and youth

  • Local advocacy on participatory governance

  • Social cohesion and depolarization initiatives

  • Institutional governance strengthening

  • Community awareness campaigns

  • Capacity development programs

  • Media and digital campaigns promoting civic participation

  • Mentoring for media professionals on election coverage and harmful content mitigation

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants must be officially registered Palestinian CSOs that are women- or youth-led, with:

  • Majority representation in leadership and governance

  • Clear governance systems

  • Capacity to engage local communities

  • Operational bank accounts

  • Annual budgets under EUR 750,000 (2023–2025)

  • Prior experience in community-level initiatives

  • Basic financial and administrative systems to manage a sub-grant up to EUR 20,000

  • Commitment to women’s rights, transparency, accountability, non-discrimination, and good governance
    Organizations must also participate in experience-sharing, capacity-building, and program capitalization activities.

Why the Project Matters

The initiative strengthens Palestinian civil society by:

  • Empowering women and youth as civic leaders

  • Enhancing structured and accountable community participation

  • Promoting inclusive dialogue and social cohesion

  • Building organizational capacity and sustainability for long-term civic impact

How to Apply

  1. Confirm eligibility as a women- or youth-led Palestinian CSO

  2. Prepare a detailed proposal including objectives, activities, expected impact, and governance plans

  3. Include a clear budget aligned with sub-grant limits (EUR 10,000–20,000)

  4. Submit the application through the designated project portal

  5. Commit to participation in mentoring, capacity-building, and experience-sharing activities

Tips for Applicants

  • Highlight measurable outcomes and community-level impact

  • Emphasize women and youth leadership in governance and program delivery

  • Demonstrate capacity to manage sub-grant funding responsibly

  • Include plans for inclusive dialogue and community engagement

  • Provide evidence of organizational transparency, accountability, and good governance

FAQs

  1. What is the funding range for sub-grants? EUR 10,000–20,000 per CSO.

  2. Who is eligible to apply? Women- or youth-led Palestinian CSOs with majority leadership representation.

  3. What activities are supported? Civic engagement, leadership development, inclusive dialogue, advocacy, social cohesion, and capacity-building initiatives.

  4. Can organizations outside Palestine apply? No, applicants must be registered CSOs operating in Palestine.

  5. Is prior experience required? Yes, organizations must demonstrate experience in community-level initiatives.

  6. Are there financial requirements? Yes, operational bank accounts and basic financial systems to manage the sub-grant are required.

  7. Must applicants participate in capacity-building programs? Yes, engagement in mentoring, experience-sharing, and program capitalization is mandatory.

Conclusion

The “Strengthening Palestinian Civil Society” project provides strategic support to women- and youth-led CSOs, enhancing democratic engagement, inclusive dialogue, and community resilience. By combining sub-grants, mentoring, and organizational capacity-building, the initiative empowers local actors to foster sustainable civic participation, accountability, and leadership in challenging socio-political contexts.

For more information, visit PWWSD.