Call for Civic Participation and Women’s Political and Decision-making Participation (Papua New Guinea)

Deadline: 24-Aug-2026

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals in Papua New Guinea to strengthen civic participation, democratic governance, accountability, human rights, and women’s political participation ahead of and following the 2027 national elections. The programme supports civil society initiatives that improve public access to information, strengthen social accountability systems, encourage citizen engagement, and expand opportunities for women and marginalised groups to participate in governance and decision-making processes.

The initiative is divided into two funding lots focused on civic participation and women’s political leadership. The programme provides a total indicative funding allocation of EUR 1,381,333 and aligns with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy promoting transparency, gender equality, inclusive governance, and sustainable democratic development.

What is the European Commission Papua New Guinea Governance Programme?

The programme is a European Union funding initiative designed to strengthen democratic governance, civic engagement, and inclusive participation in Papua New Guinea.

The programme aims to:

• Promote accountability and transparency
• Improve citizen participation in governance
• Strengthen social accountability systems
• Support women’s political leadership
• Increase public access to reliable information
• Encourage inclusive decision-making
• Strengthen democratic participation before and after the 2027 elections

Civil society organisations play a central role in implementing activities under this initiative.

Why This Programme Matters

Papua New Guinea faces several governance and representation challenges related to:

• Limited access to public information
• Weak accountability systems
• Low women’s political representation
• Barriers to inclusive governance
• Limited citizen participation in budget and policy processes

The programme seeks to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure broader participation in public and political life.

Main Focus Areas of the Programme

The initiative supports projects that improve civic engagement, transparency, and political inclusion.

Civic Participation and Public Accountability

Supported activities may include:

• Public information disclosure initiatives
• Citizen engagement platforms
• Public budget debates
• Social accountability systems
• Citizen monitoring mechanisms
• Public grievance systems
• Participatory governance processes

Access to Reliable Information

Projects may focus on:

• Timely public access to information
• Transparency mechanisms
• Public awareness campaigns
• Civic education initiatives
• Information-sharing platforms

Inclusive Governance and Participation

The programme supports participation of:

• Women
• Youth
• Marginalised communities
• Rural populations
• Underrepresented groups

Activities may encourage broader inclusion in decision-making and governance structures.

Women’s Political Participation and Leadership

The initiative strongly prioritises women’s representation and leadership in politics and governance.

Supported activities may include:

• Leadership training for women
• Support for women candidates
• Capacity building for elected women representatives
• Advocacy for gender-inclusive governance
• Mentorship programmes
• Campaign support initiatives

Addressing Institutional and Socio-Cultural Barriers

Projects may address challenges such as:

• Gender discrimination
• Social norms limiting women’s participation
• Institutional exclusion
• Barriers within customary governance systems
• Limited access to leadership opportunities

Programme Structure: Two Funding Lots

The call for proposals is divided into two separate funding categories.

Lot 1: Strengthening Civic Participation and Accountability

Lot 1 focuses on improving public participation and accountability mechanisms across key service delivery sectors.

Activities Under Lot 1 May Include:

• Public budget discussions
• Citizen feedback systems
• Transparency initiatives
• Social accountability tools
• Governance monitoring
• Community participation mechanisms
• Inclusive civic engagement processes

Funding Allocation for Lot 1

• Total allocation: EUR 661,333
• Grant requests must range between:
  • EUR 500,000 and EUR 661,333

Lot 2: Women’s Political Participation and Leadership

Lot 2 focuses on strengthening women’s political representation and leadership before and after the 2027 elections.

Activities Under Lot 2 May Include:

• Support for women candidates
• Leadership development
• Political participation initiatives
• Representation advocacy
• Women’s engagement in decision-making
• Gender equality campaigns
• Inclusive governance reforms

Funding Allocation for Lot 2

• Total allocation: EUR 720,000
• Grant requests must range between:
  • EUR 600,000 and EUR 720,000

Total Programme Funding

The overall indicative funding available under the programme is:

• EUR 1,381,333

Co-Financing Requirements

Grants may cover:

• Between 50% and 95% of total eligible project costs

Full Financing Possibility

In exceptional and well-justified cases:

• 100% financing may be considered

Applicants must clearly justify the need for full funding support.

Who is Eligible?

The programme is open to non-profit legal entities operating within eligible countries and territories under the programme guidelines.

Eligible Applicants Include:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• Public sector operators
• Local authorities
• International organisations
• Civil society organisations

Applicants must comply with eligibility conditions established by the programme guidelines.

Role of Civil Society Organisations

The programme recognises civil society organisations as key partners in:

• Promoting democratic governance
• Enhancing transparency
• Supporting accountability systems
• Strengthening peace and inclusion
• Encouraging citizen participation
• Advancing human rights and gender equality

Connection to the EU Global Gateway Strategy

The initiative aligns with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which promotes:

• Inclusive governance
• Democratic participation
• Human rights
• Gender equality
• Sustainable development
• Transparency and accountability

The programme contributes to strengthening democratic systems through civic engagement and inclusive participation.

Expected Outcomes

Projects funded under this initiative are expected to contribute to:

• Improved public access to information
• Stronger social accountability mechanisms
• Increased citizen participation
• Greater inclusion of women and youth
• Enhanced democratic governance
• Improved representation of marginalised groups
• Stronger public debate and civic dialogue

How to Apply

Step 1: Select the Appropriate Funding Lot

Applicants should determine whether their project aligns with:

• Lot 1: Civic participation and accountability

OR

• Lot 2: Women’s political participation and leadership

Step 2: Develop a Project Concept

Prepare a proposal addressing:

• Governance challenges
• Public participation gaps
• Gender inclusion barriers
• Accountability mechanisms
• Civic engagement strategies

Step 3: Define Objectives and Impact

Clearly explain:

• Target groups
• Expected outcomes
• Community impact
• Long-term sustainability

Step 4: Build Partnerships

Collaborate with:

• Local communities
• Civil society groups
• Governance institutions
• Women’s organisations
• Youth networks

Step 5: Prepare Budget and Work Plan

Ensure the proposal includes:

• Realistic budget estimates
• Co-financing details
• Activity timelines
• Monitoring and evaluation plans

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the official proposal submission process before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Demonstrate strong community engagement
• Include clear accountability mechanisms
• Show measurable governance outcomes
• Focus on inclusion and participation
• Align activities with democratic governance goals
• Provide realistic implementation plans
• Demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak stakeholder engagement strategies
• Unclear project objectives
• Limited focus on inclusion
• Unrealistic budgets or timelines
• Insufficient monitoring plans
• Poor alignment with programme priorities
• Lack of gender-sensitive approaches

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of this European Commission programme?

The programme supports civic participation, accountability, democratic governance, and women’s political leadership in Papua New Guinea.

How much funding is available?

The total indicative funding is EUR 1,381,333.

What are the two funding lots?

• Lot 1 focuses on civic participation and accountability.
• Lot 2 focuses on women’s political participation and leadership.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include NGOs, local authorities, public sector operators, international organisations, and other non-profit legal entities.

What is the funding range for projects?

• Lot 1: EUR 500,000 to EUR 661,333
• Lot 2: EUR 600,000 to EUR 720,000

Can grants cover full project costs?

Yes. Although grants generally cover 50% to 95% of eligible costs, full financing may be approved if properly justified.

Why is women’s political participation a priority?

The programme seeks to address institutional and socio-cultural barriers that limit women’s leadership and representation in governance and decision-making processes.

Final Thoughts

The European Commission Papua New Guinea Grants 2026 provide important support for organisations working to strengthen democratic governance, transparency, civic engagement, and women’s political leadership.

By investing in inclusive participation, accountability systems, and women’s representation, the programme contributes to building stronger democratic institutions and more inclusive governance processes in Papua New Guinea ahead of the 2027 national elections.

For more information, visit European Commission.