Deadline: 23-Feb-2026
The Digital Spark Call is a small-grants opportunity supporting civil society actors advancing digital democracy across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Under the Strategic Growth Small Grants lot, up to USD 4,500 is available for grassroots organizations, informal groups, and individual activists working to strengthen inclusive, resilient civic space through digital tools, advocacy, and innovation.
Program Overview
The Digital Spark Call is part of the Regional Support Mechanism project aimed at strengthening inclusive and resilient civic space in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The program supports civil society actors who use digital approaches to promote democracy, human rights, transparency, accountability, and civic participation in online and technology-driven environments.
The grants focus on enabling local, grassroots, and emerging initiatives that defend and expand democratic participation through digital means.
Who Implements the Digital Spark Call?
The Digital Spark Call is implemented by:
• Metamorphosis Foundation
• TechSoup’s Digital Activism Program team
In partnership with:
• CIVICUS
The initiative operates under the Digital Democracy Initiative, a global effort supporting civil society in the Global South and neighboring regions to strengthen democratic participation through digital innovation and collaboration.
Core Objectives and Focus Areas
The Digital Spark Call supports initiatives that contribute to a strong, inclusive, and rights-based digital civic space.
Key focus areas include:
• Strengthening inclusive and resilient civic space
• Advancing digital rights and freedoms
• Promoting media integrity and countering disinformation
• Supporting civic innovation and digital advocacy
• Enabling participation and accountability in digital spaces
• Promoting transparency and human rights online
• Strengthening organizational resilience and sustainability of CSOs
• Amplifying grassroots and marginalized voices, including women, youth, LGBTQI+ communities, and rural populations
• Fostering regional collaboration and peer learning through the Digital Democracy Initiative network
Projects may address one or multiple focus areas, provided they clearly advance digital democracy.
What Types of Initiatives Are Supported?
The grants support both the development of new initiatives and the scaling of existing digital democracy efforts.
Supported activities include:
• Digital tools and platforms for civic participation
• Online advocacy or awareness campaigns
• Digital rights and media literacy initiatives
• Capacity-building and digital skills training
• Accountability and transparency mechanisms
• Community-led digital organizing and mobilization
Initiatives should demonstrate clear civic impact and relevance to local or regional democratic challenges.
Strategic Growth Small Grants: Funding Details
Grant Amount
• Up to USD 4,500 per project
Purpose of the Grant
These grants are designed to:
• Support pilot or early-stage digital democracy initiatives
• Strengthen local digital advocacy efforts
• Enable experimentation, innovation, and grassroots leadership
• Support initiatives led by or working with marginalized and underrepresented communities
Beyond Financial Support
Grantees under this lot also receive non-financial support, including:
• Tailored capacity-building support
• Digital learning and skills development opportunities
• Expert guidance and mentoring
• Peer exchange and collaboration
• Access to the Digital Democracy Initiative learning network
This combined support model helps organizations strengthen both impact and sustainability.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be based in one of the following Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries:
• Albania
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Serbia
• Kosovo
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ukraine
• Moldova
• Georgia
• Armenia
• Türkiye
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
Applicants must demonstrate local presence and relevance within one of these countries.
Eligible Applicants
Under the Strategic Growth Small Grants lot, the following are eligible:
• Legally registered non-profit civil society organizations
• Informal groups
• Individual activists
This flexibility is designed to ensure access for grassroots and emerging actors who may not yet be formally registered.
Why This Grant Matters
Digital spaces increasingly shape civic participation, public discourse, and access to rights.
The Digital Spark Call matters because it:
• Strengthens democratic participation in online environments
• Supports civil society resilience in restrictive or shrinking civic spaces
• Enables marginalized communities to influence digital policy and practice
• Promotes accountability, transparency, and human rights online
• Encourages regional learning and solidarity across borders
By investing in small, strategic initiatives, the program helps generate long-term democratic impact.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
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Confirm that you are based in an eligible country.
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Ensure your initiative aligns with digital democracy and civic space objectives.
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Determine whether your project fits the Strategic Growth Small Grants scope.
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Develop a clear project concept, including goals, activities, and expected outcomes.
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Prepare a realistic budget within the USD 4,500 limit.
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Submit your application following the Digital Spark Call guidelines.
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If selected, participate in both the financial and non-financial support components.
Tips for a Strong Application
• Clearly explain the civic problem your initiative addresses.
• Show how digital tools or approaches are central to your solution.
• Highlight inclusion of marginalized or underrepresented communities.
• Keep the project scope realistic and achievable within the grant size.
• Emphasize learning, experimentation, and potential for scaling.
• Demonstrate commitment to collaboration and peer learning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Proposing projects unrelated to digital democracy or civic participation
• Overly broad ideas without clear activities or outcomes
• Budgets that exceed the funding limit or lack justification
• Ignoring inclusion, accessibility, or human rights considerations
• Submitting applications without clear local relevance
Avoiding these issues improves both eligibility and competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Digital Spark Call?
It is a grant opportunity supporting civil society actors advancing digital democracy in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
How much funding is available?
Up to USD 4,500 is available under the Strategic Growth Small Grants lot.
Can informal groups or individuals apply?
Yes. Informal groups and individual activists are eligible for Strategic Growth Small Grants.
What types of projects are funded?
Digital tools, campaigns, advocacy, capacity-building, and civic innovation initiatives that strengthen digital civic space.
Is non-financial support included?
Yes. Selected grantees receive capacity-building, expert guidance, and peer learning support.
Do projects need to focus on marginalized communities?
Initiatives led by or working with marginalized and underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged and prioritized.
Is regional collaboration required?
It is not mandatory, but collaboration and peer learning through the Digital Democracy Initiative network are key program values.
Conclusion
The Digital Spark Call provides flexible, accessible funding for civil society actors strengthening digital democracy across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Through small grants and tailored non-financial support, the program empowers grassroots organizations, informal groups, and activists to defend civic space, amplify marginalized voices, and promote accountability and human rights in the digital age.
For more information, visit Metamorphosis Foundation.
