Call for Applications: Civil Society Organizations 2026 (Croatia)

Deadline: 05-Jul-2026

The French Embassy in Croatia is inviting Croatian civil society organizations to apply for grants of up to €4,000 for projects in media literacy, gender equality and sustainable development. The call supports activities such as conferences, round tables, study visits, advocacy initiatives, educational programmes, training activities and joint publications.

Eligible applicants must be non-profit civil society organizations registered in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organisations for at least 12 months. Applicants must also demonstrate transparent financial reporting available through the register.

What is this Grant Opportunity?

The French Embassy in Croatia provides grant support to civil society organizations working on priority issues linked to media literacy, gender equality and sustainable development.

The call gives Croatian associations an opportunity to implement small-scale projects that align with the Embassy’s priorities and their own areas of expertise and action.

Projects should create public value, strengthen civic engagement and contribute to informed, inclusive and sustainable communities.

Main Purpose of the Grant

The main purpose of the grant is to support civil society-led initiatives that address key social, digital and environmental challenges in Croatia.

The grant aims to:

• Promote media literacy
• Strengthen critical thinking
• Counter fake news and disinformation
• Support gender equality
• Address violence against women
• Promote human rights
• Encourage sustainable development
• Support the One Health approach
• Promote sustainable practices
• Strengthen civil society action in Croatia

Geographic Focus

The call is open to eligible civil society organizations in Croatia.

Projects should be implemented in Croatia and should align with the priorities of the French Embassy in Croatia.

Funding Amount

Eligible applicants may receive a grant of up to €4,000.

Applicants should prepare a clear and realistic budget that directly supports the proposed activities.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be non-profit civil society organizations in Croatia.

Applicants must:

• Be registered in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organisations
• Have been registered for at least 12 months
• Demonstrate transparent financial reporting
• Have financial reporting available through the register
• Propose a project aligned with one of the priority areas
• Work within their own areas of expertise and action

Priority Areas

The call focuses on three main priority areas:

• Media literacy
• Gender equality
• Sustainable development

Projects should clearly align with at least one of these priorities.

Priority Area 1: Media Literacy

Media literacy projects should help people understand, evaluate and use information responsibly.

Eligible themes may include:

• Critical thinking
• Informed use of social media
• Identification of fake news
• Countering disinformation
• Youth training on fact-based opinions
• Challenges related to artificial intelligence
• Digital addiction
• Youth participation in public debate
• Youth participation in social life

Projects should help participants become more informed, resilient and responsible users of digital and media content.

Priority Area 2: Gender Equality and Human Rights

Gender equality and human rights projects should promote equality, dignity and protection from violence.

Eligible projects may focus on:

• Combating violence against women
• Promoting gender equality
• Raising awareness of human rights
• Supporting inclusive public dialogue
• Strengthening civil society advocacy
• Encouraging community-based action against discrimination and violence

Projects addressing violence against women are specifically eligible under this priority area.

Priority Area 3: Sustainable Development

Sustainable development projects should support environmental responsibility, community resilience and sustainable practices.

Eligible themes may include:

• One Health approach
• Sustainable development of islands
• Sustainable development of coastal areas
• Sustainable development of remote areas
• Local community sustainability
• Nature-based solutions
• Education on sustainable practices
• Sustainable tourism
• Innovative tourism practices

Projects may address both environmental and community wellbeing dimensions.

One Health Approach

The One Health approach recognizes that the health of people, animals and ecosystems is connected.

Projects using this approach may focus on:

• Environmental protection
• Public health awareness
• Animal and ecosystem wellbeing
• Community education
• Sustainable local practices
• Integrated solutions for people, nature and biodiversity

What Types of Activities Are Supported?

Funding may support activities that raise awareness, build knowledge, promote dialogue or strengthen civil society action.

Supported activities may include:

• Conferences
• Round tables
• Study visits
• Advocacy initiatives
• Educational activities for children
• Educational activities for young people
• Training programmes
• Joint publications
• Public awareness activities
• Civil society cooperation initiatives

Key Concepts Explained

Media Literacy

Media literacy means the ability to access, understand, evaluate and use media and digital information responsibly.

Disinformation

Disinformation refers to false or misleading information that is spread intentionally to deceive, influence or manipulate public opinion.

Digital Addiction

Digital addiction refers to excessive or harmful use of digital devices, online platforms or social media that may affect wellbeing, learning or social participation.

Gender Equality

Gender equality means equal rights, opportunities and treatment for people of all genders.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development means meeting current needs while protecting environmental, social and economic wellbeing for future generations.

Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions use natural systems, ecosystems and biodiversity to address environmental and community challenges.

How the Grant Works

Eligible civil society organizations submit project proposals aligned with one or more of the three priority areas.

Projects should clearly explain the problem being addressed, the planned activities, target groups, expected outcomes and budget.

Selected organizations may receive funding of up to €4,000 to implement approved activities.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a proposal that clearly demonstrates eligibility, relevance and impact.

Suggested Application Steps

1. Confirm that the organization is a non-profit civil society organization.
2. Check registration in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organisations.
3. Confirm that the organization has been registered for at least 12 months.
4. Ensure financial reporting is transparent and available through the register.
5. Select the relevant priority area: media literacy, gender equality or sustainable development.
6. Define the project objective and target audience.
7. Choose suitable activities such as training, advocacy, round tables or educational work.
8. Prepare a budget of up to €4,000.
9. Explain how the project aligns with the French Embassy’s priorities.
10. Submit the application according to the call requirements.

Assessment Considerations

Applications may be assessed based on eligibility, relevance, feasibility and expected impact.

Review may consider:

• Applicant registration status
• Financial transparency
• Alignment with priority areas
• Relevance to Croatia’s civil society context
• Quality of proposed activities
• Benefit to target groups
• Feasibility of the budget
• Applicant expertise
• Potential for public awareness or community impact
• Contribution to media literacy, gender equality or sustainable development

Expected Results

Funded projects should create positive civic, social or environmental outcomes.

Expected results may include:

• Improved critical thinking skills
• Greater awareness of fake news and disinformation
• Better youth understanding of fact-based opinions
• Stronger action against violence against women
• Increased awareness of human rights
• Improved understanding of sustainable practices
• Greater community engagement in sustainability
• Stronger civil society dialogue
• Increased cooperation among local actors
• More informed and inclusive public participation

Why It Matters

Civil society organizations play an important role in promoting informed debate, equality, sustainability and democratic participation.

Challenges such as disinformation, digital addiction, violence against women, environmental pressure and unequal access to knowledge require community-based responses.

This grant helps Croatian civil society organizations develop practical initiatives that strengthen public awareness, inclusion and sustainable development.

Tips for Strong Applications

A strong application should clearly connect the project to one of the Embassy’s priority areas.

Applicants should focus on:

• Clear project objective
• Strong alignment with media literacy, gender equality or sustainable development
• Defined target audience
• Practical and realistic activities
• Clear budget
• Strong civil society relevance
• Transparent financial reporting
• Measurable outcomes
• Applicant expertise in the proposed area
• Clear benefit for communities in Croatia

Applicants should avoid broad proposals that do not clearly explain the issue, target group, activities and expected results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check eligibility and project alignment before applying.

Common mistakes include:

• Applying without valid registration in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organisations
• Not meeting the 12-month registration requirement
• Failing to show transparent financial reporting
• Submitting a project outside the three priority areas
• Providing an unclear budget
• Not identifying a target audience
• Proposing activities unrelated to the organization’s expertise
• Not explaining expected outcomes
• Submitting a vague project description
• Requesting funding above €4,000

FAQ

What is this grant about?

It supports Croatian civil society projects in media literacy, gender equality and sustainable development.

Who is offering the grant?

The grant is offered by the French Embassy in Croatia.

How much funding is available?

Eligible applicants may receive up to €4,000.

Who can apply?

Non-profit civil society organizations registered in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organisations for at least 12 months can apply.

What are the priority areas?

The three priority areas are media literacy, gender equality and sustainable development.

What activities can be funded?

Supported activities may include conferences, round tables, study visits, advocacy initiatives, educational activities, training programmes and joint publications.

What does the sustainable development priority include?

It may include the One Health approach, sustainable development of islands and remote areas, nature-based solutions, education on sustainable practices and sustainable tourism.

Conclusion

The French Embassy in Croatia grant call supports civil society organizations working to strengthen media literacy, gender equality and sustainable development. With grants of up to €4,000, the programme enables Croatian associations to deliver practical activities that promote critical thinking, human rights, environmental sustainability and inclusive civic engagement.

Strong applications will demonstrate clear eligibility, transparent financial reporting, alignment with one of the priority areas, realistic activities, a clear budget and measurable benefits for communities in Croatia.

For more information, visit French Embassy in Croatia.