Travel Grants for Civil Society Regional Networking and Cooperation

The Transatlantic Foundation, together with the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, offers individual travel grants of up to EUR 1,500 to support civil society actors from Eastern Partnership countries. The grants enable participation in regional networking, exchange, and cooperation activities that strengthen cross-border collaboration and civil society resilience. Up to 50 grants will be awarded over a two-and-a-half-year period.

Program Overview

The Transatlantic Foundation, in cooperation with the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (a program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States), has launched a dedicated call for individual travel grants.

This funding opportunity supports Civil Society Organization (CSO) representatives, civic activists, and informal groups from Eastern Partnership countries to participate in regional networking, cooperation, and exchange activities.

The initiative is part of the broader “Enhancing the Resilience of Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership” program and aims to strengthen regional civil society engagement and visibility.

Purpose and Key Objectives

The travel grants are designed to advance regional cooperation and knowledge exchange among civil society actors.

The core objectives of the call are to:

Facilitate participation in ongoing regional networking and cooperation activities
Promote the exchange of ideas, best practices, and knowledge among civic actors
Strengthen cross-border collaboration within the Eastern Partnership region
Increase the visibility and impact of civil society initiatives at the regional level

What the Travel Grants Support

The grants are intended exclusively to support travel-related costs linked to active participation in regional activities.

Supported activities include:

Regional networking events and forums
Cross-border cooperation initiatives
Civil society exchange meetings
Conferences or convenings aligned with the program’s objectives

The focus is on participation in existing regional events rather than organizing new ones.

Funding Amount and Duration

Under this initiative:

Up to 50 individual travel grants will be awarded
Each grant has a maximum value of EUR 1,500
Grants will be awarded over a period of two and a half years

Funding is provided on a rolling basis, subject to availability and relevance of proposed travel.

Eligible Expenses

The travel grants are designed to cover reasonable and necessary travel-related costs, such as:

Transportation (air, rail, or ground travel)
Accommodation
Per diem or daily subsistence costs related to participation

All costs must be clearly justified and directly linked to the proposed regional activity.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be based or actively engaged in one of the six Eastern Partnership countries.

Eligible applicants include:

CSO representatives, including leaders, staff members, and volunteers
Civic activists and civic leaders
Representatives of informal groups
Representatives of exiled CSOs originating from Eastern Partnership countries

Applicants must be actively involved in civil society work and able to contribute meaningfully to regional networking activities.

Geographic Eligibility

Applicants must be based in or actively working on issues related to one of the following Eastern Partnership countries:

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Moldova
Ukraine

Exiled civil society organizations from these countries are also eligible.

How the Travel Grant Works

Identify a regional networking event, forum, or cooperation activity aligned with the call’s objectives
Ensure your participation will contribute to regional cooperation and your organization’s development
Prepare a clear description of the purpose, relevance, and expected impact of your participation
Develop a realistic and cost-effective travel budget within the EUR 1,500 limit
Submit your application according to the call’s guidelines

Successful applicants are expected to actively participate and contribute to the selected regional activity.

Why This Funding Matters

These travel grants play a critical role in strengthening civil society across the Eastern Partnership region.

The initiative helps to:

Reduce financial barriers to regional engagement
Strengthen cross-border civic networks and partnerships
Support resilience and collaboration among civil society actors
Amplify civil society voices and initiatives at the regional level

By enabling mobility and participation, the program directly contributes to a more connected and resilient civil society ecosystem.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed based on the following key criteria:

Relevance of the proposed travel to the objectives of the call
Expected contribution to regional networking and cooperation capacities
Potential impact on the applicant’s organization or civic initiative
Timeliness and clear purpose of the proposed convening
Clarity, justification, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed budget

Strong applications clearly demonstrate both individual and organizational benefits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following common issues:

Proposing travel unrelated to regional networking or cooperation
Submitting vague descriptions of the event or expected outcomes
Providing unclear or inflated budget estimates
Failing to explain how participation supports organizational or regional goals
Applying for activities that fall outside the Eastern Partnership focus

Clear alignment with the call’s objectives is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum amount I can receive?

Each individual travel grant can be awarded up to EUR 1,500.

How many grants will be awarded?

Up to 50 travel grants will be awarded over a period of two and a half years.

Who can apply for the travel grants?

CSO representatives, civic activists, leaders, and informal group representatives from Eastern Partnership countries, including exiled CSOs, are eligible.

What types of activities are supported?

The grants support participation in existing regional networking events, forums, and cooperation initiatives aligned with civil society development and resilience.

Are the grants available for organizing events?

No. The funding is intended to support participation in existing regional activities, not to organize new events.

What costs are covered by the grant?

The grant covers travel-related expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and subsistence costs directly linked to participation.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on relevance, expected impact, contribution to regional cooperation, timeliness, and budget clarity.

Conclusion

The Eastern Partnership Travel Grants offered by the Transatlantic Foundation and the Black Sea Trust provide vital support for civil society actors seeking to engage in regional networking and cooperation. By covering essential travel costs, the program strengthens cross-border collaboration, enhances civil society resilience, and increases the visibility of civic initiatives across the Eastern Partnership region.