Deadline: 02-Nov-2025
The project “Working Safe – Socio-economic Inclusion of the LGBTQI+ Community in the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a regional initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans, in partnership with Queer Montenegro, Tuzla Open Center from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Open Mind Spectrum Albania, the Center for Social Group Development from Kosovo, Coalition Margins from North Macedonia, Izadi from Serbia, and Kaos GL from Türkiye.
The action seeks to advance social inclusion and protect the fundamental rights of LGBTQI+ persons by supporting civil society engagement across all seven IPA Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye. It aims to ensure at least one project is awarded in each country, fostering equal opportunities, combating discrimination, and building stronger, more inclusive societies.
Target groups for the project include the LGBTQI+ community, employers and employees across the Western Balkans and Türkiye, private and public companies, institutions, and civil society organisations. The final beneficiaries will be LGBTQI+ individuals and employees from vulnerable groups, alongside the wider societies of the WB6 and Türkiye.
Under Activity A2.1.1 of the Working Safe project, a Call for Proposals has been launched to provide financial support to LGBTQI+ civil society organisations. The objective is to strengthen their role and capacities in advocacy, service delivery, awareness raising, and providing essential support to the LGBTQI+ population in claiming their rights and ensuring equal opportunities.
A total budget of EUR 400,000 is available under this call. Grants of up to EUR 40,000 per project will be awarded, with full financial support (100% contribution). The scheme is designed to empower grassroots organisations and networks to enhance their impact and broaden outreach.
Eligible applicants must be legal, non-profit civil society organisations or networks of CSOs established in one of the IPA III Beneficiaries. They must have at least two years of experience in the field relevant to this call and be directly responsible for project preparation and management. However, organisations already coordinating ongoing grant contracts under the Call for Proposals ref. no. EuropeAid/179703/DH/ACT/Multi are not eligible to apply as lead or co-applicants.
This opportunity represents a significant step towards strengthening the LGBTQI+ movement in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, ensuring that civil society organisations have the resources and capacity to advance equality, inclusion, and human rights in the region.
For more information, visit ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association.
