Deadline: 23-Sep-2026
The European Commission is accepting grant applications to support research and policymaking aimed at strengthening democratic governance and improving understanding of local democratic systems in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
The initiative focuses on decentralisation, civic participation, public service delivery, transparency, and democratic resilience while promoting evidence-based policymaking and inclusive governance.
Focus Areas
The call supports projects related to:
- Democratic governance
- Decentralisation
- Human rights
- Civic participation
- Public service delivery
- Transparency and accountability
- Inequality reduction
- Democratic resilience
- Local governance systems
- Inclusive participation of women and marginalised groups
The programme also encourages:
- Science-based policymaking tools
- Monitoring frameworks
- Policy recommendations
- Participatory and multidisciplinary research
- Experimental research methods
Funding Support
Total budget available:
- €12 million
Funding per project:
- Between €3.5 million and €4 million
The programme supports large-scale research and policy-focused initiatives.
Why This Initiative Matters
The call responds to:
- Democratic backsliding
- Rising human rights challenges
- Weak governance systems
- Declining trust in democratic institutions
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen democratic resilience
- Improve governance quality
- Support evidence-based public policies
- Enhance transparency and accountability
- Promote inclusive democratic participation
Research Priorities
Projects are expected to:
- Analyse decentralisation processes
- Study governance and public service delivery systems
- Examine citizen trust in institutions
- Explore links between service delivery and democratic attitudes
- Develop transferable governance tools and good practices
The programme encourages collaboration with:
- Local authorities
- Civil society organisations
- Community actors
- Non-academic stakeholders
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Universities and research institutions
- Civil society organisations
- International organisations
- Public and private legal entities
- Entities from non-associated third countries
Applicants must be:
- Established under national, EU, or international law
Expected Outcomes
The initiative aims to achieve:
- Better policymaking tools
- Improved understanding of local democratic systems
- Stronger democratic governance capacity
- Increased access to evidence-based practices
- Better support for fragile and diverse governance contexts
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Develop a multidisciplinary research proposal
- Include local and non-academic stakeholders
- Demonstrate policy relevance and impact potential
- Align the project with democratic governance priorities
- Submit the application according to programme guidelines
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Weak stakeholder engagement plans
- Limited policy relevance
- Unclear governance impact strategies
- Insufficient inclusion of local actors
- Narrow or non-transferable research approaches
FAQ
- What is the total budget for the call?
- The total budget available is €12 million.
- How much funding can each project receive?
- Projects may receive between €3.5 million and €4 million.
- What themes does the programme support?
- Democratic governance, decentralisation, civic participation, public service delivery, and human rights.
- Who can apply?
- Legal entities established under national, EU, or international law, including international organisations and entities from non-associated third countries.
- Does the programme encourage participatory research?
- Yes, participatory and multidisciplinary research involving local actors is strongly encouraged.
Conclusion
The European Commission initiative supports research and policy innovation aimed at strengthening democratic governance and local democratic systems in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Through evidence-based approaches and inclusive participation, the programme seeks to improve governance quality, transparency, and democratic resilience across diverse contexts.
For more information, visit European Commission.