Deadline: 23-Oct-2025
Applications are now open for the EU Action Grants under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV). These grants aim to promote equality and combat racism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination.
The call focuses on promoting equality and tackling discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. It also seeks to support policies that address racism, xenophobia, antigypsyism, LGBTIQ-phobia, antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and intolerance—both online and offline—using an intersectional approach.
The initiative includes six main priorities. The first targets discrimination and racism, including antigypsyism and racism against Black and Asian communities. It encourages responses that foster cooperation between communities and authorities. The second priority supports actions to prevent and address antisemitism and promote Jewish life. The third addresses anti-Muslim hatred, aiming to raise awareness, encourage reporting, and counter harmful stereotypes.
The fourth priority promotes diversity management and inclusion in public and private workplaces. The fifth supports projects combating discrimination against LGBTIQ people, with emphasis on intersectional challenges faced by transgender and intersex individuals. The sixth helps public authorities improve policy enforcement, data collection, and national action plans against racism, intolerance, and discrimination.
The total budget for the call is €20 million, with €6.8 million specifically allocated to the listed priorities. Eligible projects under the first priority include initiatives that address structural racism in housing, employment, and social inclusion, and support for victims of discrimination. Projects focusing on Roma communities—youth participation, women’s health, and environmental justice—are also encouraged.
Under the second priority, projects should aim to increase awareness of antisemitism, monitor incidents, and strengthen Jewish community leadership. Building alliances between Jewish and other minority communities is also emphasized. The third priority looks for initiatives raising awareness about anti-Muslim discrimination, offering victim support, and enhancing local-level monitoring and cooperation.
Projects under the fourth priority should enhance the EU Diversity Charters network and grow its membership. For the fifth priority, eligible projects may focus on improving conditions for LGBTIQ individuals in education, healthcare, and housing, and supporting vulnerable groups like rainbow families. The sixth priority supports public authorities to implement equality laws, improve data systems, and collaborate with civil society.
Each priority has expected impacts. For example, Priority 1 aims to improve legal understanding, raise awareness, and enhance implementation of anti-discrimination policies. Priority 2 expects better awareness of antisemitism and improved protection for affected groups. Priority 3 focuses on increasing knowledge and support systems for victims of anti-Muslim hatred.
Priority 4 seeks to grow diversity in the workplace, boost awareness of its benefits, and create inclusive environments. Priority 5 aims to improve awareness of challenges faced by LGBTIQ individuals and increase the capacity of professionals to support them. Priority 6 hopes to enhance public authority skills, foster better collaboration, and improve victim support and incident reporting.
To be eligible, applicants must be based in EU Member States (including overseas territories) or in non-EU countries that are associated with the CERV Programme or are in the process of becoming associated. Applications must include both beneficiaries and affiliated entities established in these eligible countries.
For more information, visit EC.
