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Latvian Development Cooperation Grant Competition 2026

Deadline: 15-Mar-2026

The Latvian Development Cooperation Grant Competition 2026 provides grants of EUR 40,000 to EUR 80,000 to support development cooperation projects that promote long-term social and economic development in partner countries.

With a total budget of up to EUR 744,805, the program prioritizes projects in the EU Eastern Neighbourhood, Central Asia, and Africa, focusing on governance, democracy, gender equality, sustainability, climate action, and digitalisation.

The Latvian Development Cooperation Grant Competition is a state-funded program supporting international development projects aligned with Latvia’s development cooperation policy.

The program aims to:

  • Promote long-term social and economic development

  • Strengthen democratic institutions and governance

  • Support civil society and independent media

  • Advance sustainable growth and environmental resilience

Projects must address clearly defined development needs in partner countries.

Funding Overview

Total Available Budget

  • Up to EUR 744,805 from the Latvian state budget (2026)

Individual Project Grants

  • Minimum: EUR 40,000

  • Maximum: EUR 80,000

Implementation Period

  • Projects must be implemented during 2026

Strategic Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following development priorities:

  • Good governance

  • Democratic participation

  • Democracy strengthening

  • Gender equality

  • Civil society engagement

  • Environmental sustainability

  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation

  • Sustainable economic growth

  • Digitalisation (where relevant)

These focus areas align with international development cooperation standards and Latvia’s foreign policy priorities.

Geographic Priority Regions

Priority is given to projects implemented in:

EU Eastern Neighbourhood

  • Ukraine

  • Moldova

  • Armenia

  • Georgia (particularly civil society and independent media support)

Central Asia

African Region

Projects across Africa are eligible under regional cooperation priorities.

Applications targeting priority countries may receive additional evaluation points.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be registered in Latvia and may include:

  • Institutions of direct and indirect public administration

  • Derived public entities

  • Associations

  • Foundations

  • Commercial companies

  • Trade unions

  • Other legal entities registered in Latvia

Mandatory Requirement

Each project must include at least one cooperation partner in the partner country.

Projects without an international partner are not eligible.

What Types of Projects Are Funded?

Funded projects must:

  • Address real development challenges in partner countries

  • Demonstrate measurable social or economic impact

  • Support democratic institutions or sustainable systems

  • Build capacity and long-term resilience

Examples include:

  • Governance reform initiatives

  • Civil society strengthening programs

  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment projects

  • Environmental and climate resilience initiatives

  • Digital governance or public service innovation

How Applications Are Evaluated

Project proposals are assessed based on:

  1. Alignment with development cooperation objectives

  2. Relevance to partner country needs

  3. Experience and competence of applicant and partners

  4. Feasibility of activities

  5. Realistic and transparent budget planning

Additional points are awarded for:

  • Projects in priority regions

  • Civil society organisation applicants

  • First-time applicants

  • Projects with confirmed co-financing

What Is Co-Financing?

Co-financing refers to financial contributions from the applicant or other funding sources that support the project budget.

While not mandatory, projects with co-financing receive additional evaluation points.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

  • Ensure your organisation is legally registered in Latvia

  • Secure at least one partner in the target country

Step 2: Define Development Objectives

  • Identify specific social or economic challenges

  • Align your project with priority focus areas

  • Demonstrate long-term development impact

Step 3: Build Strong Partnerships

  • Formalise cooperation with local partners

  • Clarify roles and responsibilities

  • Ensure partner capacity supports implementation

Step 4: Prepare a Detailed Budget

  • Request between EUR 40,000 and EUR 80,000

  • Ensure costs are realistic and justified

  • Include co-financing if available

Step 5: Demonstrate Feasibility

  • Provide clear timelines for 2026

  • Include measurable outputs and outcomes

  • Show institutional experience and capacity

Step 6: Submit Complete Documentation

Incomplete applications may score lower or be rejected.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting projects without a partner-country organisation

  • Weak alignment with development cooperation objectives

  • Unrealistic budgets or unclear financial breakdowns

  • Lack of measurable outcomes

  • Failing to demonstrate applicant experience

  • Ignoring priority country focus

Why This Grant Competition Matters

The Latvian Development Cooperation Grant Competition:

  • Strengthens Latvia’s role in international development

  • Supports democratic stability in neighbouring regions

  • Promotes sustainable economic growth

  • Enhances regional cooperation

  • Encourages cross-border partnerships

It contributes to long-term resilience in strategically important regions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding can I request?

You can apply for grants between EUR 40,000 and EUR 80,000.

2. When must projects be implemented?

All projects must be carried out during 2026.

3. Is a partner country organisation required?

Yes. Each project must include at least one cooperation partner in the partner country.

4. Are projects outside priority regions eligible?

Yes, but projects in priority countries receive additional evaluation points.

5. Is co-financing mandatory?

No. However, projects with co-financing receive additional points during evaluation.

6. Can commercial companies apply?

Yes. Commercial companies registered in Latvia are eligible applicants.

7. What types of impact are expected?

Projects should promote sustainable social and economic development, democratic governance, environmental sustainability, or digital transformation.

Conclusion

The Latvian Development Cooperation Grant Competition 2026 offers significant funding opportunities for Latvian organisations to implement impactful development cooperation projects abroad.

With grants ranging from EUR 40,000 to EUR 80,000 and a strong focus on governance, sustainability, democracy, and regional resilience, the program supports strategic international partnerships that contribute to long-term development outcomes in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa.

Organisations that demonstrate strong partnerships, clear development impact, and realistic implementation plans are well-positioned for success.

For more information, visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.