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RFAs: Services for Survivors of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (Slovak Republic)

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Gender-Based Violence Research Initiative in Canada

Deadline: 10-Oct-2026

Applications are open in Slovakia to improve access to specialised support services for women experiencing domestic and gender-based violence and their children. The call supports survivor-centred and trauma-informed services, including counselling, shelters, outreach, mobile assistance, online support, child-friendly interventions and perpetrator programmes linked with specialised service providers.

The total funding available is EUR 7,651,177, with grants ranging from EUR 100,000 to EUR 700,000. The initiative is part of the Norway Grants 2021–2028 programme, which supports human rights, social inclusion, resilience and the reduction of economic and social disparities.

Programme Overview

This funding call supports projects that improve access to specialised protection and support services for women experiencing domestic and gender-based violence in Slovakia.

It also supports services for children affected by violence.

The call aims to expand existing services, establish new survivor-centred support systems and improve territorial coverage across Slovakia.

Funding Available

The total amount available under the call is EUR 7,651,177.

Grant requests must range from:

Funding will support projects that strengthen the availability, accessibility, quality and coordination of services for survivors and their children.

Main Objective

The main objective of the call is to improve access to specialised support services for women with experience of or at risk of domestic and gender-based violence.

The call aims to:

Key Focus Areas

The call supports comprehensive and integrated responses to domestic and gender-based violence.

Key focus areas include:

Background and Context

Women and children affected by domestic and gender-based violence often face serious barriers when trying to access protection and support.

These barriers may include geographic distance, poverty, discrimination, disability, migration status, dependence on the perpetrator, fear, stigma or lack of specialised services nearby.

The call aims to address gaps in the availability, accessibility and coverage of services across Slovakia.

It supports projects that expand and adapt existing support networks while establishing new services where current provision is insufficient.

Survivor-Centred and Trauma-Informed Approach

Projects are expected to follow a survivor-centred and trauma-informed approach.

A survivor-centred approach means services must respect the safety, dignity, choices and needs of women and children affected by violence.

A trauma-informed approach means services must recognise the impact of trauma and provide support in ways that avoid re-traumatisation.

This approach should guide all project activities, including counselling, shelters, outreach, mobile support, online assistance and referral services.

Services Supported by the Call

Supported initiatives should provide comprehensive and integrated assistance.

Eligible service areas may include:

Support for Vulnerable Women

The call gives particular attention to women facing multiple and overlapping barriers.

Priority groups include:

Projects should explain how services will be accessible, inclusive and responsive to these groups.

Support for Children Affected by Violence

Children affected by domestic and gender-based violence require safe, age-appropriate and child-friendly support.

The call supports services that respond to children’s emotional, protection and developmental needs.

Child-friendly support may include:

Addressing Sexual and Digital Violence

Projects should respond to different forms of domestic and gender-based violence, including sexual and digital violence.

Sexual violence may include abuse, coercion, assault or exploitation.

Digital violence may include online harassment, threats, stalking, image-based abuse, surveillance, coercive control through technology or misuse of digital platforms.

Projects should ensure that staff, procedures and referral systems can respond safely and appropriately to these forms of harm.

Outreach, Mobile and Online Assistance

The call supports outreach, mobile and online services to reach women and children who may not be able to access physical service locations.

These approaches are important for survivors living in remote areas, isolated communities or unsafe home environments.

Supported approaches may include:

Perpetrator Programmes

The call supports perpetrator programmes linked with specialised service providers.

These programmes should be connected to survivor safety and broader protection systems.

Perpetrator programmes should not replace survivor support. They should form part of a coordinated response that aims to reduce harm, increase accountability and improve safety.

Public entities and NGOs implementing programmes for perpetrators of domestic and gender-based violence are eligible.

Cooperation and Partnerships

The programme supports cooperation between specialised service providers, community-based organisations and relevant institutions.

Partnerships can strengthen referrals, improve coordination and help survivors access integrated support.

Eligible partners may include:

Where applicants do not meet relevant standards, partnerships with organisations meeting Council of Europe minimum standards or the Slovak Coordination-Methodological Centre for the Prevention of Violence against Women are required.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legal persons established in Slovakia.

Applicants may include:

Applicants must meet relevant accreditation requirements under national legislation related to:

Public entities and NGOs implementing perpetrator programmes for domestic and gender-based violence are also eligible.

Eligible Partners

Eligible project partners may include:

Partners must actively contribute to project implementation.

Partnerships should strengthen technical quality, service access, local coordination and survivor-centred support.

Norway Grants 2021–2028 Context

This initiative is part of the Norway Grants 2021–2028 programme.

The Norway Grants focus on reducing economic and social disparities and strengthening cooperation, human rights, social inclusion and resilience.

This call contributes to those goals by supporting better protection systems for women and children affected by violence.

Expected Project Results

Funded projects are expected to improve access to specialised services and strengthen support systems for survivors.

Expected results may include:

Why This Call Matters

Domestic and gender-based violence is a serious human rights, public health and safety issue.

Survivors need accessible, specialised and safe services that respond to their specific needs.

In Slovakia, gaps in territorial coverage and service availability can prevent women and children from receiving timely help.

This call matters because it supports the expansion of protection systems, especially for women and children facing multiple forms of exclusion, dependency or vulnerability.

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Project

Applicants should prepare a clear, survivor-centred and evidence-based project proposal.

Step 1: Confirm Applicant Eligibility

Applicants should confirm that they are legal persons established in Slovakia.

They should also verify whether they meet the required accreditation conditions under national legislation for social services, child protection or victim support.

Step 2: Identify the Service Gap

The proposal should clearly explain the gap the project will address.

This may include lack of shelters, limited counselling access, poor territorial coverage, lack of support for vulnerable groups or insufficient response to sexual and digital violence.

Step 3: Define the Target Groups

Applicants should clearly identify the women and children who will benefit.

The proposal should explain how the project will reach vulnerable groups such as Roma women, refugee women, women with disabilities, women with addictions, women in dependent relationships and children affected by violence.

Step 4: Design Survivor-Centred Services

Projects should be designed around survivor safety, dignity and choice.

Applicants should explain how services will be trauma-informed, confidential, accessible and responsive to different forms of violence.

Step 5: Include Integrated Support

Strong projects should provide or connect survivors to multiple forms of assistance.

This may include counselling, shelter, psychosocial support, outreach, mobile assistance, online help, legal referral and child-friendly services.

Step 6: Strengthen Partnerships

Applicants should identify partners that can improve service quality, reach and coordination.

If required, applicants should partner with organisations meeting Council of Europe minimum standards or the Slovak Coordination-Methodological Centre for the Prevention of Violence against Women.

Step 7: Improve Accessibility and Coverage

Projects should explain how they will improve access to services in underserved areas.

This may include mobile services, outreach teams, online assistance or new local support points.

Step 8: Include Support for Children

Applicants should include clear activities for children affected by violence.

Child-focused activities should be safe, age-appropriate and linked to protection systems where needed.

Step 9: Address Sexual and Digital Violence

The proposal should show how services will respond to sexual and digital forms of violence.

This includes staff readiness, referral pathways, digital safety awareness and survivor protection measures.

Step 10: Prepare a Realistic Budget

Applicants should ensure that the requested grant is between EUR 100,000 and EUR 700,000.

The budget should match project activities and demonstrate value for money.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should:

FAQ

1. What is the purpose of this Slovakia funding call?

The call supports projects that improve access to specialised support services for women experiencing domestic and gender-based violence and their children in Slovakia.

2. How much funding is available?

The total amount available under the call is EUR 7,651,177.

3. What is the grant range?

Applicants may request grants ranging from EUR 100,000 to EUR 700,000.

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include public or private entities, commercial or non-commercial organisations and NGOs established as legal persons in Slovakia, provided they meet relevant accreditation requirements.

5. What types of services are supported?

Supported services include counselling, shelters, outreach assistance, mobile services, online assistance, child-friendly support, responses to sexual and digital violence and perpetrator programmes linked to specialised service providers.

6. Which vulnerable groups are prioritised?

Priority groups include Roma women, refugee women, women with disabilities, women with addictions, women in dependent relationships, children affected by violence and women affected by challenges arising from the invasion of Ukraine.

7. What programme funds this initiative?

The initiative is part of the Norway Grants 2021–2028 programme, which supports reduced disparities, human rights, social inclusion and resilience.

Conclusion

The Norway Grants Slovakia call provides major funding to strengthen specialised services for women and children affected by domestic and gender-based violence.

With EUR 7,651,177 available and grants ranging from EUR 100,000 to EUR 700,000, the call supports expanded shelters, counselling, outreach, mobile services, online assistance, child-friendly support and coordinated protection systems.

Eligible organisations should submit survivor-centred, trauma-informed and partnership-based projects that improve service accessibility, respond to vulnerable groups and strengthen Slovakia’s long-term response to domestic and gender-based violence.

For more information, visit EEA and Norway Grants.

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