Open Call: Support to Civil Society Organisations

The European Commission is accepting grant applications to support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in enhancing capacities, promoting good governance, and fostering sustainable development under the Global Gateway approach. Two grant lots are available: Lot 1 focuses on environmental sustainability, climate action, and green growth, while Lot 2 targets financial and democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. Grants range from EUR 1,100,000 to EUR 1,175,000 per lot, with a total indicative budget of EUR 2,350,000.

Overview of the Call for Proposals

This call aims to strengthen CSOs’ role as independent actors of development, governance, and policy monitoring. It promotes capacity building, good governance, and sustainable development aligned with the European Commission’s Global Gateway strategy.

Key objectives include:

Enhancing organizational capacities of CSOs
Promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity
Supporting environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and green growth
Fostering dialogue between civil society, public authorities, private sector, and TVET institutions
Strengthening CSO networks and umbrella organizations

Grant Structure: Two Lots

Lot 1: CSOs in MIP Priorities – Environmental and Green Governance

Focus areas include:

Strengthening CSO capacities in environmental sustainability and climate change
Promoting inclusive green governance and green growth
Supporting job creation in sustainable sectors
Enabling CSOs to engage in policy advocacy and implementation

Lot 2: CSOs in Financial and Democratic Governance

Focus areas include:

Enhancing transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption measures
Promoting CSO-led dialogue with authorities, private sector, and business associations
Monitoring policy implementation and public service delivery
Building CSOs’ expertise in governance and democratic processes

Funding Information

Total indicative budget: EUR 2,350,000
Each lot allocated: EUR 1,175,000
Grant amounts per lot: Minimum EUR 1,100,000 – Maximum EUR 1,175,000
Grant types: Cost reimbursement or financing not linked to costs

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

Lead applicants (primary CSO managing the project)
Co-applicants (partners contributing to project implementation)
Affiliated entities (organizations legally linked to lead/co-applicants)

Eligibility criteria cover:

Organizational status and legal recognition
Relevance and quality of proposed actions
Acceptable costs and results conditions for the grant

Applicants must demonstrate capacity to implement large-scale projects and manage significant EU funding.

Expected Outcomes

Projects are expected to deliver:

Stronger CSO organizational capacities and governance structures
Enhanced transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance
Improved public policy implementation and monitoring
Increased dialogue and collaboration between civil society, authorities, and private sector actors
Greater CSO independence and influence in development and governance processes
Positive environmental, social, and economic impacts aligned with green growth and climate objectives

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify Eligible CSO Partnerships

Determine lead applicant, co-applicants, and affiliated entities
Ensure alignment with lot-specific priorities

Step 2: Develop a Comprehensive Proposal

Include:

Project objectives and alignment with lot priorities
Activities and implementation plan
Expected results and measurable outcomes
Budget breakdown and financing plan
Capacity demonstration of lead and partner organizations

Step 3: Check Compliance with Eligibility Criteria

Legal status of all participating organizations
Appropriate cost structure
Alignment with European Commission funding rules

Step 4: Submit Proposal

Follow the official submission procedure
Ensure timely submission and completeness of required documentation

Step 5: Evaluation and Selection

Applications will be evaluated on:

Relevance to lot-specific priorities
Organizational and technical capacity
Feasibility and sustainability of proposed activities
Expected impact on governance, social inclusion, or environmental sustainability

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting proposals that do not match lot priorities
Failing to demonstrate CSO capacity for large-scale project management
Incomplete or incorrect budget proposals
Ignoring eligibility rules for applicants or actions
Lack of measurable outcomes or sustainability plan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the two lots under this call?

Lot 1: CSOs in environmental sustainability, climate action, and green growth
Lot 2: CSOs in financial and democratic governance, transparency, and accountability

2. How much funding is available per grant?

Grants range from EUR 1,100,000 to EUR 1,175,000 per lot.

3. Who is eligible to apply?

Lead applicants, co-applicants, and affiliated entities meeting organizational and legal requirements.

4. Can multiple organizations apply together?

Yes, consortia including lead applicants, co-applicants, and affiliated entities are allowed.

5. What is the total indicative budget for this call?

EUR 2,350,000, equally divided between the two lots.

6. What types of grants are offered?

Cost reimbursement or financing not linked to costs.

7. What are key evaluation criteria?

Relevance to lot priorities, organizational capacity, feasibility, sustainability, and expected impact.

Conclusion

This European Commission call offers substantial funding to CSOs to strengthen governance, sustainability, and capacity under the Global Gateway approach. By targeting environmental and financial governance priorities, the programme enables CSOs to become independent development actors, improve transparency, and drive sustainable growth. Eligible organizations should prepare detailed, compliant proposals aligned with lot-specific objectives to secure funding.