Deadline: 04-Sep-2026
The Call for Evidence-Based Advocacy Projects is a structured funding programme designed to strengthen democratic governance in Croatia by supporting civil society organisations that rely on research, data, and policy evidence. The programme encourages organisations to move beyond traditional advocacy by integrating applied research, monitoring systems, and structured policy engagement.
It is designed for medium-term projects lasting 18–24 months, with a total available funding envelope of €600,000. Individual grants range from €100,000 to €150,000, depending on project scope, impact potential, and methodological strength. The programme prioritises initiatives that demonstrate measurable policy influence and institutional engagement.
Purpose and Strategic Goals
The core purpose of this funding call is to improve democratic governance by strengthening the role of civil society in public policymaking. It supports organisations that generate credible, verifiable evidence and translate it into actionable policy recommendations.
Key strategic goals include strengthening democratic values and the rule of law, improving transparency and accountability in governance systems, increasing citizen participation in decision-making processes, and enhancing institutional responsiveness. The programme also focuses on reducing misinformation, improving public trust in institutions, and fostering structured dialogue between civil society, government, and academia.
Another important objective is to strengthen cooperation between civil society organisations and research institutions to ensure that advocacy is grounded in scientific and policy-relevant evidence.
Key Focus Areas
The programme covers a broad set of governance and democracy-related themes. These include democratic values, rule of law, civic engagement, human rights protection, and participatory governance systems.
It also prioritises applied policy research, legislative monitoring, and public investment monitoring to ensure accountability in public spending and legal frameworks. Projects may also focus on institutional reform, transparency mechanisms, and strengthening citizen participation at local, national, and European levels.
Additional emphasis is placed on improving governance quality through structured policy analysis, data-driven advocacy, and evidence-based recommendations for decision-makers.
Supported Activities
Eligible projects must combine research, policy analysis, and advocacy into a single integrated approach. Supported activities include:
- Applied research and data collection
- Policy analysis and evaluation
- Legislative and regulatory monitoring
- Public investment and governance monitoring
- Development of advocacy strategies based on evidence
- Structured dialogue with policymakers and institutions
- Dissemination of research findings to stakeholders and the public
- Capacity building for civil society organisations
- Collaboration with universities, research institutions, and media organisations
Projects are expected to generate actionable policy outputs that can directly influence governance reforms or improve institutional accountability.
Who Is Eligible
Eligible applicants are civil society organisations registered in Croatia that operate independently and on a non-profit basis. These organisations must demonstrate transparency in financial management and governance structures.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Organisations must be legally registered in Croatia
- Must operate on a non-profit and voluntary basis
- Must maintain independence from government institutions
- Must not be affiliated with political parties
- Must not be driven by commercial profit motives
- Must ensure no conflict of interest in project outcomes
- Must demonstrate commitment to democratic values and human rights
Organisations are expected to act solely in the public interest and ensure that project outcomes are not influenced by private or commercial benefits.
How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)
The programme follows a structured implementation model designed to ensure research quality and policy impact.
Step 1: Problem Identification
Organisations identify a governance or policy challenge that requires evidence-based intervention. The issue must be relevant to democratic processes or public accountability.
Step 2: Research Design
Applicants develop a clear methodology, including data sources, analytical frameworks, and research tools. This stage defines how evidence will be collected and validated.
Step 3: Policy Linkage and Advocacy Planning
Research findings are translated into policy recommendations. Organisations design advocacy strategies that connect evidence with decision-making processes.
Step 4: Implementation Phase
Projects execute research activities, conduct stakeholder engagement, and collect and analyse data. Continuous interaction with institutions and relevant stakeholders is encouraged.
Step 5: Dissemination and Engagement
Findings are shared with policymakers, civil society, academia, and the public through reports, events, and structured dialogue.
Step 6: Impact and Evaluation
Projects are assessed based on their contribution to policy change, governance improvement, transparency, and citizen participation.
Why This Programme Matters
This funding programme plays a critical role in strengthening democratic systems by ensuring that policy decisions are informed by reliable evidence rather than assumptions or political bias.
It enhances transparency in governance by encouraging public monitoring of institutions and policies. It also improves accountability by supporting independent oversight mechanisms. Additionally, it strengthens civic participation by enabling citizens and civil society organisations to engage more effectively in policymaking processes.
The programme also contributes to reducing misinformation by promoting verified data and research-based narratives in public debate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants often reduce their chances of success by making several key mistakes:
- Submitting proposals without a strong research methodology
- Failing to clearly connect research outputs to policy change
- Lack of measurable indicators for impact evaluation
- Weak or unclear advocacy strategy
- Insufficient stakeholder engagement planning
- Overly broad or undefined project scope
- Limited collaboration with academic or research institutions
- Lack of organisational transparency or governance clarity
Projects that are not clearly evidence-driven or policy-oriented are less likely to be funded.
Tips for a Strong Application
Strong applications demonstrate a clear link between research, evidence, and policy influence. They should be grounded in robust methodology and realistic implementation plans.
Key recommendations include:
- Develop a clear and detailed research framework
- Use reliable and verifiable data sources
- Define measurable policy impact indicators
- Build partnerships with universities and experts
- Ensure strong stakeholder engagement strategies
- Align advocacy goals with specific policy reforms
- Maintain transparency in all organisational processes
- Present a realistic timeline and implementation plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main purpose of this funding call?
- To strengthen democracy in Croatia by supporting evidence-based civil society advocacy
- To improve policymaking through research and data-driven recommendations
- To enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance
What is the funding amount available per project?
- Minimum grant: €100,000
- Maximum grant: €150,000
- Total programme budget: €600,000
- Funding is allocated based on project quality and impact potential
What is the duration of funded projects?
- Projects must last between 18 and 24 months
- Shorter or longer durations are not eligible under this call
- Implementation must include research, advocacy, and dissemination phases
Who can apply for this funding?
- Registered civil society organisations in Croatia
- Non-profit and voluntary organisations
- Independent organisations not linked to government or political parties
- Organisations operating in the public interest
What types of activities are eligible?
- Applied research and data analysis
- Policy evaluation and legislative monitoring
- Advocacy strategy development
- Stakeholder engagement and institutional dialogue
- Dissemination of research findings
- Collaboration with academia and media
Can organisations collaborate with external partners?
- Yes, collaboration is encouraged
- Eligible partners include universities, research institutes, and media organisations
- Partnerships strengthen research quality and policy influence
- Collaboration should support evidence-based outcomes
What are the key evaluation criteria?
- Strength and clarity of research methodology
- Evidence-based approach to advocacy
- Potential for policy impact and reform
- Quality of stakeholder engagement strategy
- Organisational transparency and independence
- Feasibility of implementation plan
Conclusion
The Call for Evidence-Based Advocacy Projects is a strategic funding mechanism designed to strengthen democratic governance in Croatia through research-driven civil society action. By linking evidence, policy analysis, and advocacy, the programme enables organisations to contribute directly to transparent, accountable, and participatory governance systems.
For more information, visit EEA Civil Society Fund.