Open Call No. 5 for Organisational Grants (Slovakia)

Deadline: 11-Sep-2026

The Open Call No. 5 for Organisational Grants provides multi-year institutional funding to established Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Slovakia. The programme supports organisations working on democracy, human rights, equality, civic participation, environmental justice, and long-term organisational sustainability.

Eligible CSOs can receive grants between EUR 100,000 and EUR 120,000 for 30–36 month projects focused on strengthening internal capacity, governance, resilience, and operational development.

What Is the Open Call No. 5 for Organisational Grants?

The Open Call No. 5 for Organisational Grants is a funding initiative designed to strengthen established Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Slovakia.

Unlike project-based grants that support specific activities, this programme provides long-term organisational support to help CSOs improve their internal systems, stability, and ability to create lasting social impact.

The programme supports organisations that contribute to:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Human rights
• Equality
• Civic participation
• Environmental justice

Purpose of the Programme

The main purpose of the grant is to help CSOs become stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable.

The programme aims to improve:

• Organisational capacity
• Leadership and governance
• Strategic planning
• Financial sustainability
• Operational effectiveness
• Long-term resilience

The funding helps organisations build stronger foundations so they can continue promoting democratic values and human rights.

Programme Background

The call is launched under Outcome 3 of the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia Programme.

It supports:

Outcome 3:
Strengthening Civil Society Organisations that promote democracy, rule of law, and human rights.

Output 3.1:
Supporting organisational development of Civil Society Organisations.

The initiative is supported through the EEA and Norway Grants, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports a wide range of organisational development priorities.

Organisational Development and Governance

Funding can support:

• Strategic planning
• Leadership improvement
• Governance structures
• Decision-making processes
• Internal management systems

These activities help organisations operate more effectively and transparently.

Democracy and Human Rights

The programme supports CSOs working to strengthen:

• Democratic values
• Human rights protection
• Civic freedoms
• Public participation
• Rule of law

Organisations contributing to inclusive societies are encouraged to apply.

Equality and Inclusion

The programme prioritises initiatives related to:

• Gender equality
• Equal opportunities
• LGBTIQ+ rights
• Social inclusion

The goal is to strengthen organisations that promote fair and inclusive communities.

Environmental Justice and Climate Action

The call supports organisations working on:

• Environmental protection
• Climate action
• Environmental justice
• Just green transition

These areas help communities respond to environmental challenges while protecting social rights.

Digitalisation and Operational Improvement

Organisations can use funding to improve:

• Digital systems
• Internal tools
• Communication platforms
• Operational processes

Digital transformation can help CSOs become more efficient and accessible.

Financial Sustainability and Fundraising

The programme supports stronger financial foundations through:

• Fundraising strategies
• Financial planning
• Sustainability models
• Resource development

This helps organisations reduce dependency on short-term funding.

Eligible Activities

Supported organisational activities may include:

• Developing organisational strategies
• Improving governance structures
• Creating internal policies
• Strengthening communication approaches
• Improving staff development systems
• Supporting employee wellbeing
• Enhancing operational procedures
• Introducing digital solutions
• Building organisational resilience

The focus is on strengthening the organisation as a whole.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to established Civil Society Organisations operating in Slovakia.

Eligible applicants must be:

• Non-profit organisations
• Voluntary organisations
• Established in Slovakia
• Independent from government institutions
• Independent from political parties
• Independent from commercial organisations

Applicants must operate with a non-commercial purpose and support the values of the programme.

Organisations Encouraged to Apply

The fund particularly supports CSOs working in areas such as:

• Human rights
• Democracy
• Equality
• Civic engagement
• Environmental protection
• Community development

Special attention is given to organisations working in under-served regions to improve access to funding across Slovakia.

Funding Available

The total budget available under the call is:

• EUR 1,920,000

Selected organisations can receive:

• Minimum grant: EUR 100,000
• Maximum grant: EUR 120,000

Project duration:

• 30 to 36 months

All funded activities must be completed by:

• 31 December 2029

How the Grant Works

The programme provides long-term institutional support.

The process involves:

1. Preparing an organisational development plan:
   Applicants identify areas where their organisation needs improvement.
2. Designing strengthening activities:
   Plans may include governance, strategy, digitalisation, sustainability, or staff development.
3. Applying for funding:
   Organisations submit proposals demonstrating their needs and expected impact.
4. Implementing organisational improvements:
   Selected CSOs use the grant to strengthen their structures and long-term capacity.

Benefits of the Programme

The grant helps CSOs:

• Build stronger internal systems
• Improve leadership and management
• Increase financial stability
• Strengthen community impact
• Improve resilience during challenges
• Expand democratic participation

The programme supports organisations that play an important role in protecting democratic societies.

Why Organisational Support Matters

Many civil society organisations depend on short-term project funding, which can limit long-term planning.

Institutional support helps organisations:

• Develop sustainable strategies
• Retain skilled staff
• Improve governance
• Build reliable systems
• Respond better to social challenges

Strong CSOs contribute to healthier democracies and more engaged communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying with only a single project idea instead of organisational development goals
• Failing to show long-term impact
• Ignoring governance and sustainability needs
• Not explaining organisational challenges clearly
• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements

Strong applications should demonstrate:

• Clear organisational needs
• Practical improvement plans
• Long-term benefits
• Contribution to democracy, human rights, or environmental justice

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of the Open Call No. 5 for Organisational Grants?

The programme provides long-term institutional support to strengthen CSOs in Slovakia and improve their sustainability, governance, and impact.

2. Who can apply for the grant?

Established non-profit Civil Society Organisations based in Slovakia that are independent from government, political parties, and commercial entities can apply.

3. How much funding is available?

Selected organisations can receive grants between EUR 100,000 and EUR 120,000.

4. What is the duration of funded projects?

Projects can last between 30 and 36 months, with completion required by 31 December 2029.

5. What activities can the grant support?

Funding can support organisational strategy, governance, financial sustainability, digitalisation, staff development, communication, and resilience building.

6. Does the programme fund individual projects?

No. The grant focuses on strengthening the organisation itself rather than financing separate project activities.

7. Which organisations receive priority attention?

Organisations promoting democracy, human rights, equality, civic participation, and environmental justice are prioritised, especially those working in under-served regions.

Conclusion

The Open Call No. 5 for Organisational Grants provides essential long-term support for Civil Society Organisations in Slovakia working to strengthen democracy, human rights, equality, and environmental sustainability.

By funding organisational development, governance, digitalisation, and resilience, the programme helps CSOs build stronger foundations and continue creating meaningful social impact.

For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.