Please note that this is a closed invitation. You can send it to your trusted partners and colleagues, but please do not post it on social media, websites, or other open channels.
The general objective of this call is to support the work of Russian civil society organisations (CSOs), including unregistered initiative groups, working in the field of human rights and democracy in the Russian Federation, with a focus on those targeting particularly vulnerable groups and/or promoting democratic values and civic engagement. It is aimed at CSOs who have been directly affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, or restrictive legal measures and human rights violations in Russia, and need support to continue their work.
The specific objective of the call is to facilitate offline team meetings and encourage networking and capacity building between CSOs, to promote sharing knowledge and best practices. Priority is given to those organisations and CSO members who only rarely have the occasion to meet their dispersed colleagues and exchange with peers outside of their immediate area of work or from other countries.
Who can apply?
- Russian registered or unregistered civil society organizations, including NGOs, initiative groups, social entrepreneurship groups, cultural/creative organizations, etc. They should be based in the Russian Federation or based abroad but targeting beneficiaries within the country.
- This includes organisations that have already received or are currently receiving support from our organisation.
Who is not eligible?
- Independent media, and individual human rights defenders not affiliated with a civil society organisation or initiative group. All applications need to be submitted by a CSO.
- Political or religious organisations.
- Applicants who, in the 6 months before the application deadline, have carried out the same type of activity that they also plan to apply for (e.g. organising an offline meeting or attending a networking event) are not eligible to receive support for the same type of activity.
What can be supported?
- Offline team meetings for strategy development, respite, team building and capacity building; networking events among organisations working for the same cause;
- Attendance of international or regional events, such as thematic conferences related to the activity of the applicant, advocacy events and similar types of actions, by a CSO/initiative group representative
- Participation of a CSO / initiative group representative in an exchange, training activity, internship or fellowship programme with CSOs in other countries working for the same cause
Any planned event or meeting should start between 2 and 8 months after the application deadline.
The support amounts are:
- Up to €13 000 for the organisation of events
- €1 000 - €2 000 for the attendance of conferences and similar events
- €5 000 - €13 000 for exchange, training, internship, fellowship programmes
What are the selection criteria?
- Relevance: The application demonstrates a clear need for the proposed funding and how the project will build capacities, strengthen an existing partnership/network or create new collaborations.
- Implementation: The proposal is feasible, timely, and includes a clear plan for learning, skill sharing and/or the development of collaborations.
- Budget: The budget is clear and cost-effective.
- Impact: The proposal has the potential to contribute to the objectives of this call.
- Sustainability: The application demonstrates how the CSO will be able to build on the exchange or event once the funding is over.
There will be 3 rounds of support:
- First round for applications submitted by 22.02.2026.
- Second round for applications submitted by 01.08.2026.
- Third round for applications submitted by 01.01.2027.
You will be notified of the results of the selection no later than 4 weeks after the submission deadlines.