Briefly
Program description
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) provides support to organizations, informal platforms, and individual activists whose activities are aimed at developing and strengthening democratic civil society. The duration of projects and the grant amounts are determined on an individual basis.
Applications are accepted for projects aimed at developing and strengthening democratic civil society in countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy. EED grants are open to organizations, movements, as well as activists, youth leaders, and representatives of independent media — including online media — regardless of their size or formal legal status.
Main Information
Eligibility
Applicants may be unregistered groups or individuals; formal registration is not required.
Financing
The fund operates as a flexible rapid response mechanism aimed at filling gaps where other donor instruments are not available; it can finance individual activists and unregistered groups, covering operational costs (salaries, office and communication expenses).
Supported Activities
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promoting political pluralism and diversity;
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strengthening government accountability;
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enhancing social inclusion, combating discrimination against women and minorities, and increasing their participation;
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supporting citizen representation and their participation in decision-making at the national and local levels;
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strengthening the effective role of democratic actors such as political parties, trade unions, and civil society organizations;
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promoting fundamental freedoms (freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and belief).
How to Apply
Go to the secure portal via the “Apply for Support” button on the website https://democracyendowment.eu/support and fill out the application form, attaching the completed budget template.
Evaluation Criteria
Priority is given to initiatives that cannot be supported by existing EU instruments or other donor programs.
A geographical balance between the southern and eastern neighborhoods is maintained in the allocation of funds.