CFPs: CSO and HRD Support Allocations Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Deadline: 11-Jul-25

The European Commission is pleased to invite applications for its initiative titled “CSO and HRD Support Allocations Sri Lanka and the Maldives and AAP Support Measures for CSO Sri Lanka”.

Objectives

NDICI – Global Europe Human Rights & Democracy Thematic Programme – Human Rights and Democracy allocation for Sri Lanka and the Maldives:

The global objective of this call for proposals is the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; democracy; and the rule of law in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The specific objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen democratic governance in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with a particular emphasis on promoting the adoption and implementation of human rights standards and principles by businesses in line with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Right.

NDICI-Global Europe Civil Society Thematic Programme – CSO support country allocations for Sri Lanka and the Maldives:

• • The global objective of this call for proposals is to enable and enhance Civil Society Organizations’ engagement as an efficient actor in governance reforms and development process in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The specific objective for this call is to reinforce CSOs capacities for policy dialogue, monitoring, and reporting in support of governance reform efforts.

Strengthening the Sri Lankan Civil Society as Actors of Development and Governance:

The Overall Objective is to strengthen Sri Lankan civil society (in its whole diversity) as actors of governance and development, thereby contributing to the achievement of overall priorities of the EU-Sri Lanka partnership as outlined in the MIP 2021-2027, and the EU Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society in Sri Lanka 2021 – 2024.

The Specific Objectives/priorities of the current call are:

Specific Objective 1: Enhance organisational, advocacy, networking, protection and project management capacities of civil society organisations, with a dedicated focus on local/community-based organisations operating in the most difficult environments as well as on women, youth and persons with disabilities’ associations;

Specific Objective 2: Implement a small grants facility in order to increase CSOs capacities (focusing on women, youth associations and persons with disabilities) to respond to socio-economic challenges and provide human-rights based service delivery.

Categories

Global Europe Human Rights & Democracy Thematic Programme – Human Rights and Democracy allocation for Sri Lanka and the Maldives: The Thematic Programme on Human rights and Democracy, built upon the key features of the previous European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), is a major flagship tool of the EU. The overall objective of the thematic programme on human rights and democracy is to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. It follows the structure of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 with its five overarching priorities:

• • Protecting and empowering individuals;
  • Building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies;
  • Promoting a global system for human rights and democracy;
  • Harnessing the opportunities and addressing challenges of new technologies;
  • Delivering by working together.

NDICI-Global Europe Civil Society Thematic Programme – CSO allocation for Sri Lanka and the Maldives: Through its stronger focus on, and increased support for, women’s organizations the CSO Programme will contribute to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with the priorities and targets of the third EU Gender Action Plan.

Annual Action Program of the Multi-Annual Indicative Program (MIP) – Strengthening the Sri Lankan Civil Society as Actors of Development and Governance: The action “Strengthening the Sri Lankan Civil Society as Actors of Development and Governance” will strengthen the capacity of CSOs, in particular regarding the organisational/institutional advocacy and management skills, targeting in particular community-based organisations, women and youth associations outside Colombo and engaged in the priority areas of the Multiannual Indicative Programme.

Funding Information

The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 6,065,000. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.

• LOT 1: Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
  • minimum amount: EUR 500,000
  • maximum amount: EUR 579,000
• LOT 2: Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
  • minimum amount: EUR 1,200,000
  • maximum amount: EUR 1,500,000
• LOT 3: Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
  • minimum amount: EUR 2,000,000
  • maximum amount: EUR 2,500,000

Eligibility Criteria

• For LOT 1 and LOT 2:
  • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
    • be a legal person and
    • be non-profit-making and
    • be a specific type of organisation such as: non-governmental organisation, and
    • be effectively established in a Member State of the European Union or in Sri Lanka, or in the Maldives, and
    • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary, and
    • not being in any of the situations listed in the practical guide.
• LOT 3:
  • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
    • be a legal person and
    • be non-profit-making and
    • be a specific type of organisation such as civil society organisations
    • be effectively established in Sri Lanka or in a Member State of the European Union, and
    • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary, and
    • not being in any of the situations listed in the practical guide.

For more information, visit European Commission.