Deadline: 23-Oct-2025
The European Commission is accepting applications for Action Grants under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Value Programme (CERV). These grants aim to promote equality and fight against racism, xenophobia, and all other forms of discrimination.
The initiative targets the promotion of equality by preventing and combating discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. It also supports the implementation of policies to fight racism, LGBTIQ-phobia, antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and other forms of intolerance both online and offline.
The grant call outlines six priority areas. The first focuses on addressing discrimination and intolerance based on racial or ethnic origin, color, or religion, including antigypsyism and other racist manifestations. It promotes holistic and intersectional approaches to foster trust among communities and authorities.
The second priority supports efforts to combat antisemitism. Projects under this theme aim to prevent antisemitism online and offline and support Jewish life, following the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition.
The third priority targets anti-Muslim hatred, encouraging actions that raise awareness, support victim reporting, and counter negative stereotypes. It highlights the rising trend of anti-Muslim racism in Europe and the need to preserve trust in EU values and institutions.
The fourth priority supports diversity and inclusion in workplaces across both public and private sectors. Projects should strengthen Diversity Charters, help their expansion, and promote inclusive workplace practices.
The fifth priority supports the implementation of the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy. It seeks to address intersectional discrimination faced by LGBTIQ individuals, particularly transgender, intersex people, and rainbow families, across employment, health, housing, and education.
The sixth priority focuses on enabling public authorities to combat all forms of intolerance. It aims to help governments improve legal implementation, develop action plans, and strengthen the collection and use of equality data.
The estimated total budget for this call is EUR 20 million, with EUR 6.8 million allocated for specific activities. All consortia are encouraged to provide English translations of their main outputs to support EU-wide best practice sharing.
Activities that support political parties are not eligible. Projects must incorporate gender equality, avoid stereotyping and victimization, and follow EU guidelines on gender analysis and mainstreaming.
Each priority area also outlines expected impacts. For example, under Priority 1, the goal is to increase understanding of EU anti-discrimination laws, improve legal enforcement, raise awareness of racism, and empower affected communities. Priority 2 expects similar outcomes specific to antisemitism, while Priority 3 focuses on protections for Muslims and increased awareness.
Priority 4 aims to increase the number of organizations committed to Diversity Charters, raise workplace diversity, and strengthen connections between academia and business. Priority 5 promotes better understanding and responses to LGBTIQ discrimination and encourages stronger support systems for affected individuals and families.
Priority 6 targets public sector improvement in prosecuting discrimination, supporting victims, fostering cooperation with civil society, and strengthening local responses.
Eligible applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States or countries associated with the CERV Programme. Non-EU countries may participate if their association agreement is finalized before the grant is signed.
For more information, visit EC.