As of 30 June 2026, civil society organisations in Bulgaria can apply under the Rolling Call for Small Grants, announced within the framework of the EEA Civil Society Fund in Bulgaria.
The EEA Civil Society Fund aims to contribute to the development of a vibrant and resilient civil society that protects and promotes democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. In Bulgaria, the Fund will support organisations working for real change in their communities and contributing to the development of a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society.
Small projects with the potential for major change
The purpose of the call is to support small projects with potential for development — initiatives whose approaches, results, and accumulated experience can be built upon, replicated, or expanded in the future, including through subsequent funding opportunities.
The call is aimed at projects that contribute to the resilience of civil society by protecting and promoting democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in Bulgaria.
A new model of funding and reporting
The Rolling Call is designed as a long-term and stable funding opportunity that provides civil society organisations with more predictable and continuous support. Instead of one-off calls, project proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until the end of June 2030, comprising 8 six-month sessions, each divided into two 3-month evaluation periods.
The new model also includes a simplified approach to project reporting. The reporting process has been simplified in order to reduce the administrative burden on civil society organisations and allow them to focus more of their efforts on implementing project activities. The amount of grant funding is planned and reported on the basis of the remuneration costs of the team engaged in project implementation.
The first session starts on 30 June 2026. Project proposals submitted by 29 September 2026 will be reviewed within one month after that deadline.
Priorities of the call
Each applicant submits their project proposal under one of the four priorities:
- Democracy and participation
• Human rights and social justice
• Organisational development
• Addressing challenges arising from the invasion of Ukraine
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are:
- civil society organisations registered under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act in Bulgaria
• chitalishta, registered under the Chitalishta Act in Bulgaria
Projects may be implemented with or without partners, with it being recommended that there be no more than two partners. Project partners should share a common objective and actively participate in the preparation and implementation of the project.
What funding is available?
The amount of the grant funding ranges between EUR 10,000 and EUR 25,000. The funding covers 100% of eligible costs and no co-fundingis required.
The total amount of funding to be distributed under the Rolling Call is EUR 4.15 million.
What can the duration of the projects be?
Projects may last between 6 and 12 months.
How to apply?
Applications are submitted entirely electronically through the EGRANT system.
Until when can applications be submitted?
Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis until 29 June 2030. The deadline for applications under the first three-month period of the first session of the Rolling Call for Small Grants is 29 September 2026.
How will projects be evaluated?
The evaluation will take place in two stages:
Stage 1 – Administrative compliance
This stage checks whether the project proposal meets the administrative requirements and eligibility conditions.
Stage 2 – Quality evaluation
Eligible project proposals will be evaluated by two experts.
Upcoming information meetings about the call
Information meetings will be held in order to inform potential applicants about the application conditions, eligible activities, funding method, and the process for submitting project proposals through the EGRANT system. Participation requires prior registration via the links indicated below.
The first two information meetings will be held as follows:
- 15 July 2026, Sofia, from 10:00 at SOHO, 4 Iskar Street – registration link
• 16 July 2026, from 16:00 – online information meeting – registration link
Other information meetings will also be announced. Information about them can be followed in this section and on the website of the EEA Civil Society Fund in Bulgaria.
Call documents
The Call for Proposals as well as all necessary application templates are available here.
The EEA Civil Society Fund in Bulgaria has a budget of over EUR 23 million and is fully funded by Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It represents the largest commitment made to date by the donor countries to civil society in Bulgaria. By the end of 2031, the Fund is expected to have supported more than 300 CSOs’ initiatives.
The Fund Operator of the EEA Civil Society Fund in Bulgaria is a consortium of civil society organisations led by the Open Society Institute – Sofia, with the participation of the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation, the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation, and Frivillighet Norge (Civil Society Norway). The organisation responsible for the Rolling Call for Small Grants is the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation.
The official page of EEA Civil Society Fund is in Bulgaria is: www.civilsocietyfund.bg
