Deadline: 26-Mar-2026
The “Connecting the Dots” project offers EU sub-grants to small and medium organisations, youth groups, and grassroots movements to advance interconnected climate, gender, and economic justice. Grants range from €5,000 to €60,000 and support advocacy, capacity building, public awareness campaigns, knowledge sharing, and pan-European youth mobilisation over 12–18 months.
What is the Connecting the Dots Project?
The Connecting the Dots initiative, part of the EU DEAR programme, aims to engage European citizens, particularly youth, in integrated solutions for climate, gender, and economic justice. The project promotes mobilisation, advocacy, and capacity building across civil society organisations, grassroots movements, and youth-led groups to address global challenges such as inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Objectives and Focus Areas
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Promote interconnected justice: Integrate climate, gender, and economic justice in advocacy and education.
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Youth engagement: Mobilise young people in Europe for advocacy, activism, and policy influence.
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Capacity building and awareness: Develop educational resources, workshops, webinars, and seminars.
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Networking and coalition building: Break silos between movements for climate, economic, and gender justice.
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Public campaigns and media partnerships: Engage journalists, social media influencers, and citizen audiences.
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Pan-European campaigns: Implement joint initiatives with a thematic focus (tax and climate in 2026, gender justice in 2027).
Funding Overview
Applicants can apply for one of three sub-grant categories:
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Macro grants: €40,000–€60,000 for up to 18 months; must include at least three types of eligible activities.
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Meso grants: €20,000–€35,000 for up to 18 months; must include at least two types of eligible activities.
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Micro grants: €5,000–€15,000 for up to 12 months; intended for specific actions or activities within one activity type.
Budget Requirements
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Minimum 10% co-funding from non-EU sources.
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Maximum budget including co-financing: €60,000.
Who is Eligible?
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Small and medium organisations unable to compete directly for institutional EU funding.
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Youth and student groups, local civil society organisations, and grassroots movements.
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Priority given to groups with youth leadership and active youth constituencies.
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High-capacity organisations targeting direct EU institutional funding are not eligible.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm eligibility for your organisation or group under the call criteria.
Step 2: Determine the appropriate sub-grant category (macro, meso, or micro) based on your planned activities.
Step 3: Design your project plan including objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and eligible activities.
Step 4: Prepare a detailed budget including at least 10% co-funding from other sources.
Step 5: Submit the proposal through the official Connecting the Dots call portal before the application deadline.
Step 6: If successful, implement your project, report outcomes, and contribute to pan-European campaigns and knowledge sharing.
Why This Grant Matters
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Encourages integrated justice approaches: Combines climate, gender, and economic issues to produce holistic advocacy and education.
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Strengthens youth engagement: Empowers young activists to take leadership in Europe-wide campaigns.
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Builds organisational capacity: Supports civil society, grassroots, and youth-led organisations to expand advocacy and educational impact.
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Promotes cross-sector collaboration: Fosters partnerships between media, local communities, and advocacy networks.
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Supports sustainable development goals (SDGs): Focuses on equity, environmental protection, and social justice.
Common Tips for Applicants
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Select the sub-grant category that aligns with the scale and scope of your project.
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Include multiple eligible activity types for macro and meso grants to meet requirements.
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Ensure co-funding sources are clearly identified and justified.
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Highlight youth participation and leadership in your project.
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Demonstrate community impact and the potential to contribute to pan-European campaigns.
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Emphasize the integration of climate, gender, and economic justice in project objectives.
FAQs – Connecting the Dots Project
1. Who can apply for this sub-grant funding?
Small and medium organisations, youth groups, student groups, local civil society organisations, and grassroots movements with youth leadership.
2. What types of activities are eligible?
Knowledge sharing, education materials, webinars, workshops, networking, coalition building, public awareness campaigns, media partnerships, and local/international advocacy actions.
3. How much funding is available?
Micro grants: €5,000–€15,000 (up to 12 months)
Meso grants: €20,000–€35,000 (up to 18 months)
Macro grants: €40,000–€60,000 (up to 18 months)
4. Are co-funding requirements mandatory?
Yes. At least 10% of the total requested budget must come from sources other than EU institutions.
5. Can high-capacity organisations apply?
No. The call targets smaller organisations that cannot compete for direct institutional EU funding.
6. What thematic focus areas are planned for upcoming campaigns?
2026: Tax and climate justice; 2027: Gender justice.
7. What is the expected duration of funded projects?
Micro grants: up to 12 months; Macro and Meso grants: up to 18 months.
Conclusion
The Connecting the Dots sub-grant call empowers small and medium organisations, youth groups, and grassroots movements across Europe to implement integrated climate, gender, and economic justice projects. By supporting capacity building, advocacy, public campaigns, and pan-European youth engagement, the initiative fosters sustainable development, social equity, and youth leadership across communities.
For more information, visit EURODAD.