Deadline: 15-Jul-23
The Transatlantic Foundation (TF), in cooperation with the Engaging Central Europe (ECE) program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, is launching a dedicated Call for Proposals to support the organizational development and adaptation of watchdog, transparency, and inclusion CSOs in EU member states heavily affected by the shrinking space phenomenon, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
Civil society is a key advocate and main bulwark of democracy, fundamental rights, and European values but its capacity and reach has become severely limited by the shrinking of space for it in several EU member states in Central Europe. Instead of enjoying a supportive environment, civil society organizations (CSOs) in these countries are often publicly intimidated and challenged by insufficient resources and legal attacks.
Funding Information
- Under this call, TF will support short-to-medium-term projects with a duration of 6 to 24 months, with a budget ranging from EUR 10,000 to 25,000 for single-country projects and from EUR 10,000 to 40,000 for cross-border projects.
- The available overall call budget is EUR 450,000. TF reserves the right not to award all available funds depending on the proposals received and the results of the evaluations.
Eligible Activities
- Types of Eligible Activities:
- organizational and operational development projects that aim at effective adaptation to the negative changes in the operational environment caused by the shrinking space phenomenon
- trainings increasing the IT security skills of CSO staff
- trainings increasing the psychological and emotional resilience of CSO staff to intimidation and other forms of psychological pressure
- awareness-raising campaigns and coalition building that may help adaptation of CSOs to an operational environment characterized by shrinking space
- The project activities must take place in one or more of the targeted countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Cross-border activities with other EU member states may be considered as well.
- Special emphasis must be given to the promotion and protection of rights and values under the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights as well as to a gender-inclusive approach at all levels of the proposed project implementation.
- Organizations that engage individuals or groups in peripheral areas are especially encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
- The call is open to non-profit-making CSOs, established in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
- The CSO must demonstrate compliance with the fundamental rights and values that the EU is founded upon, and a proven track record in the protection of democracy, transparency, and human rights.
- Natural persons are not eligible.
For more information, visit German Marshall Fund (GMF).