Deadline: 22-May-2026
The European Commission is offering a EUR 3,600,000 grant to improve health, well-being, and protection for women, girls, and vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The action focuses on preventing gender-based violence (GBV), strengthening access to integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mental health services, and reinforcing institutional capacity and accountability. The grant amount is fixed at EUR 3,600,000 and supports large-scale, system-strengthening interventions aligned with the Maputo Protocol.
About the Funding Opportunity
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to improve public health outcomes and psychosocial well-being in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The call targets women, girls, and vulnerable populations, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), through integrated, gender-sensitive health and protection services.
This action is aligned with regional human rights commitments, including the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees women’s rights to dignity, reproductive health, and protection from violence.
Overall Objective
The primary goal is to improve health and well-being, especially for:
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Women and girls
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Internally displaced persons
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Other vulnerable populations
The action specifically aims to:
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Prevent gender-based violence (GBV) by transforming harmful social norms
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Strengthen psychosocial well-being
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Improve informed access to protection and justice mechanisms
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Expand access to integrated and gender-sensitive health services
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Strengthen institutional capacity and health system accountability
Key Thematic Focus Areas
1. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention
GBV refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on gender. It includes sexual violence, domestic violence, forced marriage, and other abuses.
The program prioritizes:
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Reducing social tolerance toward GBV
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Increasing awareness of GBV’s health and psychosocial consequences
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Promoting legal rights and access to justice
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Engaging community, religious, and traditional leaders as change agents
2. Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
SRH services include:
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Maternal healthcare
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Post-rape clinical management
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Emergency contraception
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Safe pregnancy management
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Counseling services
The action promotes informed decision-making and rights-based access to care.
3. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
MHPSS includes:
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Psychological first aid
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Trauma-informed care
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Counseling and therapy services
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Survivor-centered approaches
The program aims to ensure survivors receive dignified, rapid, and coordinated medical and psychosocial care.
4. Integrated Referral Systems
A coordinated continuum between:
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Health services
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Mental health services
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Protection services
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Justice systems
Referral mechanisms must be safe, confidential, and survivor-centered.
5. Institutional Strengthening
The grant supports:
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Capacity-building for healthcare providers
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Training in gender sensitivity and GBV prevention
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Medical ethics and accountability systems
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Quality-of-care improvements
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Prevention of abuse within the health system
Why This Funding Matters
The Democratic Republic of Congo faces persistent challenges related to conflict, displacement, and high rates of gender-based violence.
This funding is critical because it:
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Addresses systemic health and protection gaps
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Supports survivors of sexual violence
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Strengthens rights-based health systems
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Promotes accountability and dignity in care
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Builds sustainable institutional capacity
By integrating health, protection, and justice systems, the action aims for long-term systemic transformation.
Funding Details
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Total indicative allocation: EUR 3,600,000
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Grant amount: Exactly EUR 3,600,000
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Minimum grant: EUR 3,600,000
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Maximum grant: EUR 3,600,000
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The contracting authority may decide not to award all available funds
This structure indicates the call is designed for one large-scale action.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is structured around three main elements.
1. Eligible Actors
Applicants may include:
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A lead applicant (mandatory)
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Co-applicants
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Affiliated entities linked to the lead or co-applicants
These entities must meet the eligibility conditions outlined in the call guidelines.
2. Eligible Actions
The proposed project must:
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Operate within the Democratic Republic of Congo
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Address GBV prevention and response
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Strengthen gender-sensitive health services
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Integrate mental health and psychosocial support
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Improve institutional accountability and referral systems
3. Eligible Costs or Results
Depending on the grant type:
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If cost-based: Only eligible costs defined in the call guidelines may be reimbursed
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If results-based: Funding is linked to achieving predefined outputs and conditions
Applicants must carefully review financial eligibility rules before submission.
How the Grant Works
The grant may take one of two forms:
Reimbursement of Costs
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Applicants pre-finance eligible activities
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Reimbursement is based on approved eligible expenditures
Financing Not Linked to Costs
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Payment is based on achievement of defined results
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Conditions and measurable outputs must be clearly specified
Applicants must design projects with measurable indicators and compliance with EU financial regulations.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Official Guidelines
Carefully study the call for proposals, including:
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Eligibility rules
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Financial regulations
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Evaluation criteria
Step 2: Form a Strong Consortium
Identify:
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A qualified lead applicant
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Relevant co-applicants
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Technical partners with expertise in GBV, SRH, and MHPSS
Step 3: Design a Comprehensive Project
Ensure your proposal includes:
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Clear objectives aligned with the call
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A strong theory of change
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Measurable indicators
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A risk mitigation plan
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A robust referral and coordination framework
Step 4: Prepare the Budget
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Total requested amount must equal EUR 3,600,000
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Ensure compliance with EU cost eligibility rules
Step 5: Submit the Application
Follow the official submission procedures as outlined in the call documentation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Proposing fragmented services without integration across sectors
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Weak referral mechanisms lacking confidentiality safeguards
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Insufficient GBV survivor-centered approaches
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Poorly justified budget allocations
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Lack of measurable indicators and monitoring framework
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Ignoring alignment with the Maputo Protocol
Strong proposals demonstrate systemic thinking, coordination, and sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the total funding available?
EUR 3,600,000 is available under this call.
2. Can I apply for a smaller grant amount?
No. The grant must be exactly EUR 3,600,000.
3. Who benefits from this program?
Women, girls, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
4. What sectors must the project integrate?
Health, mental health, psychosocial support, protection services, and justice mechanisms.
5. Is GBV prevention mandatory in the proposal?
Yes. Preventing and responding to gender-based violence is a central objective.
6. Does the grant support mental health services?
Yes. Mental health and psychosocial support are key priorities.
7. Can the European Commission decide not to award the full amount?
Yes. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s EUR 3,600,000 grant for the Democratic Republic of Congo represents a major investment in gender-sensitive health systems, GBV prevention, and psychosocial support.
Organizations capable of delivering integrated, survivor-centered, and system-strengthening interventions aligned with international human rights standards are strongly positioned for this opportunity.
Successful proposals will demonstrate strategic integration across health, protection, and justice sectors while ensuring dignity, accountability, and sustainable impact for women, girls, and vulnerable communities.
For more information, visit European Commission.
