Deadline: 05-Jul-2026
The French Embassy in Croatia, in partnership with the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs, is inviting applications for its eighth Call for Projects to support Croatian civil society organizations. The programme funds initiatives that promote media literacy, gender equality, sustainable development, civic engagement, and public awareness on emerging social and environmental challenges.
The call aims to strengthen the role of civil society in addressing issues such as disinformation, digital literacy, women’s rights, environmental sustainability, and citizen participation through education, advocacy, and community engagement activities.
About the Program
The programme provides financial support to Croatian non-profit organizations implementing projects that contribute to social awareness, democratic participation, and sustainable development.
The initiative encourages projects that:
- Strengthen civic engagement
- Promote informed public participation
- Address social and environmental challenges
- Improve media and digital literacy
- Advance gender equality
- Support sustainable development
- Encourage knowledge sharing and public dialogue
Projects should generate practical outcomes and contribute to positive community impact.
Priority Themes
Media Literacy and Digital Awareness
Projects may focus on:
- Media literacy education
- Critical thinking development
- Responsible social media use
- Fake news identification
- Combating disinformation
- Digital citizenship
- Artificial intelligence awareness
- Understanding AI-related challenges
- Digital addiction prevention
Gender Equality and Human Rights
Supported initiatives may include:
- Promoting gender equality
- Protecting human rights
- Combating violence against women
- Reducing gender stereotypes
- Encouraging women’s leadership
- Supporting women in traditionally male-dominated sectors
- Promoting intersectional approaches to equality and inclusion
Sustainable Development
Projects may address:
- Sustainable development practices
- One Health approaches
- Sustainable tourism
- Island and coastal development
- Environmental protection
- Nature-based solutions
- Environmental education
- Climate and sustainability awareness
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Conferences
- Workshops
- Training sessions
- Seminars
- Roundtables
- Public debates
- Educational programmes
- Awareness campaigns
- Advocacy initiatives
- Civic engagement activities
- Study visits
- Knowledge-sharing events
- Joint publications
- Community outreach projects
Educational activities targeting children and young people are particularly encouraged.
Study Visits and Knowledge Exchange
The programme supports:
- Study visits to explore French best practices
- Knowledge exchange initiatives
- Adaptation of successful French models in Croatia
- International cooperation and collaboration
Projects should demonstrate how lessons learned can benefit Croatian communities and organizations.
Funding Information
Key funding details include:
- Maximum grant amount: €4,000
- Funding coverage: Up to 80% of total project costs
- Applicant contribution required: Minimum 20%
- Maximum project duration: 12 months
Projects must:
- Start during 2026
- Be completed no later than September 2027
Applicants should provide a realistic budget and implementation plan.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Non-profit civil society organizations registered in Croatia
Organizations must:
- Be listed in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organizations
- Have been registered for at least 12 months
- Demonstrate transparent financial reporting
- Have the capacity to implement the proposed project
Only eligible non-profit organizations may apply.
Project Requirements
Applications should clearly demonstrate:
- Alignment with programme priorities
- Community relevance and impact
- Well-defined objectives
- Realistic implementation plan
- Sustainable outcomes
- Effective use of funding
- Clear target groups
- Strong awareness-raising or engagement components
Projects should contribute to long-term social, educational, or environmental benefits.
Expected Outcomes
Supported projects should contribute to:
- Improved media literacy
- Increased awareness of disinformation risks
- Stronger civic participation
- Greater gender equality
- Enhanced protection of human rights
- Better understanding of artificial intelligence challenges
- Increased environmental awareness
- Stronger community engagement
- Knowledge sharing between Croatia and France
Projects should deliver measurable and practical results.
Application Tips
- Clearly connect the project to one or more priority themes
- Demonstrate community need and expected impact
- Include realistic timelines and activities
- Explain how participants will benefit
- Show sustainability beyond the grant period
- Highlight innovation and knowledge-sharing opportunities
- Include strong awareness and engagement strategies
Applications with clear objectives and measurable outcomes are likely to be more competitive.
Why This Program Matters
Civil society organizations play a vital role in promoting informed citizenship, protecting human rights, advancing gender equality, and supporting sustainable development. As challenges such as disinformation, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability become increasingly important, community-based initiatives can help build awareness and strengthen public participation.
This programme provides resources for Croatian organizations to develop practical solutions, engage citizens, and contribute to positive social change while strengthening cooperation between Croatia and France.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is organizing this call for projects?
- The French Embassy in Croatia, in partnership with the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.
Who can apply?
- Non-profit civil society organizations registered in Croatia for at least 12 months and listed in the Croatian Register of Non-profit Organizations.
What is the maximum grant amount?
- Up to €4,000 per project.
How much of the project budget can be funded?
- The grant can cover up to 80% of total project costs, with applicants providing at least 20% co-financing.
What types of activities are eligible?
- Conferences, workshops, trainings, seminars, debates, awareness campaigns, advocacy initiatives, study visits, publications, and educational activities.
How long can projects last?
- Projects can run for a maximum of 12 months.
When must projects be completed?
- All projects must be completed by September 2027.
Conclusion
The French Embassy in Croatia Civil Society Projects Call 2026 offers grants of up to €4,000 to support initiatives focused on media literacy, gender equality, human rights, sustainable development, and civic engagement. By funding educational activities, awareness campaigns, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and community engagement projects, the programme helps Croatian civil society organizations address contemporary social and environmental challenges while strengthening public participation and international cooperation.
For more information, visit French Embassy in Croatia.