Deadline: 4-Jul-25
A new public competition has been launched to support early and inclusive education through projects developed and implemented by non-governmental organizations. The initiative seeks to fund programs that address critical gaps in accessibility, quality, and systemic coordination across education, health, and social sectors.
The competition is focused on overcoming several pressing challenges in the field of inclusive education. These include the lack of accessible, high-quality inclusive services from early childhood to graduation, limited professional training for staff working in adaptive learning environments, weak collaboration between sectors, and the absence of long-term support structures that promote children’s independence and development.
Organizations are invited to submit proposals that align with key strategic goals. These include developing policies that ensure full inclusion and equal access to education, and improving the social-emotional well-being and holistic development of children through inclusive, safe, and stimulating environments.
A total of €210,000 will be distributed through this competition. Individual projects may receive between €12,000 and €25,000. Each organization can submit up to two proposals but will only be awarded funding for one. Additionally, an organization may participate as a partner in only one project under this call.
The target groups for these projects include educators and staff working in preschools, primary and secondary schools, with a strong emphasis on equipping them to better support children with special educational needs. Children and students requiring additional educational support, along with their parents or guardians, are also a primary focus. Public sector services and local communities form the indirect target group, emphasizing a holistic and systemic approach to inclusive education.
Eligible activities include educator training for inclusive teaching practices, providing additional academic support, creating supportive school environments, supplying specialized teaching materials, and developing intersectoral cooperation. Projects may also include initiatives that ease children’s transition from kindergarten to primary school, and promote awareness of the importance of early development.
To be eligible, applicant organizations must be registered NGOs with a clearly defined focus on education or related public interest fields, as outlined in their statutes. They must have prior experience in delivering projects within this scope during the years 2022 to 2024, and must have submitted their 2024 financial reports to the tax authority.
Project selection will be based on relevance to strategic public goals, the quality of the proposed activities, organizational capacity, and demonstrated transparency. Required documentation includes registration certificates, statutes, tax filings, and proof of relevant past activities. If a partner NGO is involved, similar documentation and verification of their experience in early and inclusive education are mandatory.
This funding opportunity provides a vital platform for civil society to help shape inclusive education systems that ensure no child is left behind, offering meaningful support to both learners and the professionals who guide them.
For more information, visit Government of Montenegro.