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Closing event of the Active Citizens Fund – National programme – report

The evening’s programme included the premiere of the film ‘Little big things’, directed by Julia Pelka and Paulina Skibińska, in which we presented the activities and changes made possible by the programme’s support through the example of seven projects and initiatives, and also a discussion with representatives of organisations implementing projects supported by the Programme about what has happened over the past five years and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Øystein Bø, a representative of the Icelandic Embassy, Jan Hernik, Hjörtur Sverrisson from the Financial Mechanism Office in Brussels, and representatives of civil society organisations implementing projects and initiatives within the programme.

The speech of Ingrid Schulerud, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, responsible for Norwegian funds, was read out by Aleksandra Wacko. Speeches were also made by representatives of the consortium implementing the programme: Ewa Kulik-Bielińska from the Batory Foundation, Jakub Wygnański from the Stocznia Foundation and Lidia Kuczmierowska from the Academy of Civil Organisations Foundation.

‘Little big things’ movie:

Photo: Anna Liminowicz

Closing event of the Active Citizens Fund – National programme

Registration for the event is now closed. Those who registered have received confirmation of their participation. The event will also be broadcast online, allowing anyone interested to attend. Polish – English and Polish Sign Language #PJM interpretation will be provided during the broadcast.   

Programme   

17:00 – 18:00  

Welcome and short summary of the Active Citizens Fund – National programme.  

This part of the event will include speeches by:   

  • Øystein Bø – Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Poland  
  • Jan Hernik – Representative of the Embassy of Iceland   
  • Hjörtur SverrissonHead of the Funds and Horizontal Concerns Unit at the Financial Mechanisms Office in Brussels

18:00 – 18:50  

Screening of the film ‘Little big things’, which highlights changes that have taken place through the implementation of projects supported by the Active Citizens Fund – National programme.  

19:00 – 20:00 Independent, Responsive, Resilient – Civil Society in Poland  

A discussion with representatives of Polish CSOs: 

  •     Maja Zabokrzycka (House of Peace Foundation)  
  •     Anna Dąbrowska (Homo Faber Association)  
  •     Agnieszka Caban (Home of the Borderland Foundation)  
  •     Tomasz Pawłowski (Foundation trzeci.org)  

We will look at how Polish CSOs have responded to crises and challenges over the past five years, what trends we see and what changes have taken place in the way they operate. We will reflect on the role and direction of civil society in Poland in facing upcoming challenges.   

The discussion will be chaired by Ewa Kulik-Bielińska (Stefan Batory Foundation)  

20.00 – 20.15 Closing ceremony 

Speech by Ingrid Schulerud, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway responsible for Norwegian Funds, and representatives of the consortium implementing the Active Citizens Fund – National programme.  

Workshop summarising bilateral and regional cooperation – report

The workshop was facilitated by an international team of trainers with many years of experience in intercultural cooperation (Diba Tuncer, Marta Gawinek-Dagargulia, Dawid Kiermut, Magda Latuch, Natalia Trambolecka). The programme of the workshop was designed not only to identify the causes of misunderstandings in international partnerships and to implement corrective measures for the future, but also to commemorate the end of the project and what it had achieved. The second day of the workshop allowed participants to say goodbye to the past, understood as actions or management habits that did not serve their organisation or their partner and that they therefore did not want to repeat. This farewell was followed by planning for future activities in the same or new partnerships.

And what did the participants think of the workshop?:

‘One of the key takeaways from the workshop that I plan to use in the near future is the framework for analysing project challenges in context: skills, roles, personality and culture, which was introduced during the exercise by one of the trainers. This approach helped me to see how these factors can affect team dynamics and project outcomes, especially in an international environment. I intend to use this framework in my current projects to better identify the causes of any problems and to promote more effective communication and collaboration between teams. It will be a valuable tool to improve both problem solving and team cohesion’.

The meeting was organised in cooperation with our sister programme Active Citizens Regional – Fund and was attended by people representing organisations: Rita Lindanger AS, Association For Education “Pomost”, Kłodzkie Towarzystwo Oświatowe, LEVEL UP Association, Miðja máls og læsis / Centre for Language and Literacy / Centrum umiejętności czytania i pisania, Fagskrifstofa Skóla- og frístundasviðs Reykjavíkurborgar / Reykjavík City Department of Education and Youth/ Wydział Edukacji i Rekreacji Urzędu Miasta Reykjavik, Skog & Mose naturopplevelser / Nina Alida Nordbø, Centre for Civic Advocacy, Fundacja Wymiany Kulturowej toTU toTAM, Subcarpathian Association for Active Families, The Woman for PLUS Association, Ás styrktarfélag, “Patchwork” Association, ART JUNCTION Foundation, Association for Cultural Education WIDOK, Stiftelsen Alternativ til Vold, Foundation for Educational Activities KReAdukacja, Non-Governmental Organizations Support Center, Stiftelsen Alternativ til Vold, Polsk-norsk forening Razem=Sammen, Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business, Bjerkaker LearningLab (BLL), Norsensus Mediaforum, Great Lakes and Wetlands Association, Arendal municipality/Norway (Arendal Adult Learning Centre), Women in Forestry Association, Forests and Citizens Foundation, O3 OUT OF ORDINARY, Fjellugla, HumanDoc Foundation, Foundation of Active People and Places, Instytut Zwinnej Edukacji No Grades School Foundation, “Rysy” Foundation, Víkurskóli Vík Iceland.

Photo: Daniel Kiermut

 

Results of the call for study visits on dialogue, countering radicalisation and remembrance at the Utøya Learning Centre in Norway

It was not easy to choose who would take part in the visit: we received seventy applications from teams of two, from whom we eventually selected eleven pairs to take part in the trip and who will go to Utøya not only to learn about the work of local educators and the experience of rebuilding the island’s identity after the tragic events of 2011, but also to work on their ideas and the challenges they face in their work in aid of dialogue, counter-radicalisation and remembrance.

The organisations whose representatives will be invited to take part in the trip are:

  • EduKABE Foundation for Creative Solutions with Women’s Association Lodz,
  • Autonomy Foundation,
  • Bezkres Foundation,
  • Fruit of the Meeting Foundation,
  • Borussia Foundation,
  • Common Forms Foundation,
  • Shtetl Foundation Mszana Dolna,
  • Actions for Peace Laboratory – Salam Lab,
  • The Polish Platform for Homeland Security,
  • Witold Dynowski Ethnographic Workshop Association,
  • Subcarpathian Association for Active Families

All the organisations on the list above will be contacted in the coming days to work out the logistical details of the trip.

We are organising the visit as the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme in cooperation with the Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme.

Training on dialogue facilitation according to the method of the Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue from Norway

Individuals from civil society organisations who are active in their local communities, particularly in facilitating discussions on issues of common interest, and those who specialise in issues related to social divisions, are invited to participate in the training.

NOTE: The workshop will mainly include elements from the courses on the basics of dialogue and dialogue facilitation conducted by the Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue, and is therefore not intended for people who have already completed other courses provided by NCPD trainers, e.g. under the programme “Turn off the Ego, Understand the Other Person” or the project “How to talk? Fostering Information Literacy as a Core Competence for Informed Citizenship in Participatory Democracy”, implemented by FRSI under the Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme, or training organised directly by NCPD.

The workshop will address topics such as:

  • Dialogue and facilitation: dialogue as a method, perspective and approach, introduction to the role of the facilitator(s) and their tasks;
  • Active listening and asking the right questions;
  • Creating a safe space for dialogue;
  • Conducting public dialogue.

The workshop will take the form of training (interactive) and, in addition to providing an introduction to understanding what dialogue is and how to create the conditions for it, it will also enable the participants themselves to practice facilitating (conducting) dialogue .

The training will be conducted by Christiane Seehausen (Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue) and Agata Urbanik (Facilitation Support, graduate of the NCPD dialogue facilitation courses).

The Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue (Nansen Fredssenter) is a peace, dialogue and human rights institution based in Lillehammer, Norway. The core work of the NCPD is to create spaces for dialogue across conflict lines. Its working methodology and approach to dialogue is the result of more than thirty years of practical experience in Norway and internationally. NCPD runs educational programmes and courses on dialogue and conflict transformation, facilitates dialogue between conflict parties by working directly with them, and organises public dialogue on topical issues in Norway and with international partners.

For more information on NCPD’s approach to dialogue, please visit the organisation’s website.

Logistics:

  • The workshop will take place on two dates (of your choice): 7-11 October 2024 (in Warsaw) and 21-25 October 2024 (in Gdansk). Each course will have the same programme and speakers – a person can only attend one of the training dates.
  • Please state all dates and locations that suit you on the application form. We will invite you to attend the workshop on one date in accordance with your preference indicated on the application form, but if you are able to attend on either of the dates – this will enable us to be flexible in assigning people to the workshop groups.
  • To participate in the workshop, you must commit to attending the full five days of training (approximately seven hours per day).
  • The workshop will be held in English, but simultaneous PL/ENG translation (via headphones) will be available. Please indicate this requirement on the registration form.
  • The workshop is free of charge: The organisers will cover the costs of travel to the training venue, accommodation on site (for those living elsewhere on a daily basis) and meals on all days of the workshop.

How to apply:

If you would like to attend the training, please complete the application form [here] by 15 May this year.

NOTE: Completion of the form does not guarantee a place on the training. If there are more applications than places available, the organisers will select trainees on the basis of the information provided on the application form, with the primary aim of ensuring that they represent a variety of organisations and the diversity of issues they cover.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the bilateral and regional cooperation coordinators:

  • Anna Fedas (Active Citizens Fund – National, [email protected], tel. +48 22 536 02 41) and/or
  • Ewa Stokłuska (Active Citizens Fund – Regional, [email protected], +48 720 801 013).

Workshop summarising bilateral and regional cooperation

Has your project with a foreign partner come to an end? Do you want to take stock of what went well and what did not go as planned and expected? Would you like to draw conclusions from the cooperation in order to better prepare for the next time, to make effective use of its benefits, but you do not have the opportunity and resources for such an educational and evaluation activity? Come to a workshop we are organising to take stock of international cooperation.

Dear Project Promoters of the Active Citizens Fund – National and Active Citizens Fund – Regional programmes, we would like to offer you an opportunity to jointly summarise your international cooperation (bilateral and/or regional) concluded or ongoing, under our programmes – whether part of bilateral/regional initiatives or in in a project conducted with a partner from Donor States and/or Beneficiary States.

The workshop will take place on 5-6 September 2024 in Warsaw and is free of charge for promoters of the Active Citizens – National Fund and Active Citizens – Regional Fund programmes and their project partners (we will cover the costs of travel, accommodation in Warsaw and meals during the workshop – also for a representative of foreign partners). The workshop will be held in English (no translation).

The objectives of the workshop are:

  • to take stock of the cooperation with the foreign partner,
  • to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the partnership in terms of the expectations of those involved,
  • to try to determine why expectations are not being met, as well as possible misunderstandings in the partnership,
  • to plan internal changes and other strategic activities (e.g. fundraising, how to talk to partners) to prepare for further collaboration with a foreign organisation as effectively as possible.

The workshop will be conducted by facilitators with experience in international cooperation, who will conduct the workshops to the highest standards (including confidentiality, respect and sensitivity to cultural differences, etc.).

We invite one person representing a Polish organisation and one person representing a foreign partner with whom you have implemented a project or initiative to participate in the workshop. The participation of a person representing a foreign partner is not a prerequisite for participation in the workshop, but such applications will be given priority.

If you would like to participate – please complete the application form [here].

One application (completed form) should list both people – representing the organisation and its partner.

Applications will be accepted until 5 May and you will be informed of your eligibility by 13 May.

NOTE: Completion of the form does not constitute admission to the workshop. Priority will be given to those organisations that register their participation together with their foreign partner. Participation of a representative of a foreign partner is not obligatory, but we encourage you to persuade them to come. The organisers will also cover the travel expenses of the foreign partner.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the bilateral and regional cooperation coordinators:

  • Anna Fedas (Active Citizens Fund – National, [email protected], tel. +48 22 536 02 41) and/or
  • Ewa Stokłuska (Active Citizens Fund – Regional, [email protected], +48 720 801 013).

Study visit on dialogue, countering radicalisation, and remembrance in Norway

The visit will take place from 3-7 June 2024 and will include a three-day stay at the Utøya Learning Centre and a workshop with UTC educators on countering radicalisation and their experiences with remembrance.

Teams of two people are invited to participate, representing the organisation concerned (or the organisation and its main partner in the activities to which the trip relates, e.g. a local institution).

During the workshop, participants will learn about the working methods and experiences of those involved in the UTC, but will also work with them on the challenges they face in their work, e.g. discussing the difficulties they face or planning activities together.

On the application form for the visit, please describe specific challenges/actions/action plans related to counter-radicalisation, dialogue, and local memory or remembrance that you deal with in your organisations. In the first instance, we will invite those who have an idea of specific issues they would like to work on.

 On 22 July 2011, a Norwegian right-wing extremist killed 69 people on the island of Utøya, most of them young people at a summer youth camp run by the Norwegian Labour Party. The terrorist believed that people from different cultural backgrounds could not coexist in society and spread a conspiracy theory that Europe was slowly being taken over by the Arab world.

Since 2016, the Utøya Learning Centre has been operating on the site – the island’s infrastructure has been redeveloped as a centre for remembrance and education, in an effort to balance the need for remembrance with the need for new life, learning and commitment to a more inclusive, democratic society. Today, Utøya is a testament to why values such as tolerance, equality and diversity cannot be taken for granted, but must be promoted and practised in everyday life.

Logistics:

  • The organisers of the visit will cover all costs related to transport, accommodation and meals during the visit (as well as travel and possible accommodation at the place from where the flight to Oslo will take place).
  • The working language of the visit will be English. However, a translation into Polish will be available (via headphones) on site – please request this on the application form.
  • In Utøya we will share cabins in the area where the tragic events of 2011 took place. (two people per room). These cabins are not locked. If you do not consent to this condition, you will not be able to participate in the visit, as we will not be able to provide accommodation elsewhere.

How to apply:

If you would like to participate in the visit, please complete the application form here by 15 April and we will inform you of your eligibility by 19 April 2024.

Please apply in teams of two people: two people from each organisation or one person from one organisation and one person representing its main partner in the activities to which the visit relates.

One application (completed form) should list both people representing the organisation (or the organisation and its partner).

NOTE: Completion of the form does not guarantee eligibility for the visit. If there are more applications than places available, the organisers will select the organisations on the basis of the information provided on the application form, giving priority to the diversity of the issues they deal with.

The study visit is jointly organised by the Active Citizens Fund – National Fund and the Active Citizens Fund – Regional programmes.

Report on the “Organisations ready for the future” meeting

The opening discussion of the event identified various factors that will affect the functioning of the third sector: demographic change, money, environmental issues, cultural change, technological developments, global and local politics, and migration and refugees. This was followed by project presentations on different strategies for community organisations.

The meeting was organised by the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation and was attended by representatives from the Association Krakow Smog Alert, Rule of Law Institute Foundation, Copernicus Science Centre, Club of Catholic Intelligentsia, Rak’n’Roll Foundation, Krzyżowa Foundation, Civil Society Development Foundation, SYNAPSIS Foundation, Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP), Ronald McDonald House,  Committee For Children Rights Protection

Find out more about the event [here]

MANGO is a project that aims to support the work of civil society organisations, particularly those working outside major cities and in rural areas. The Mobile NGO Academy provides training and support to organisations wishing to expand or improve their activities.

Photo: Anna Liminowicz

‘Stronger Voice’ Call for Proposals – results

 

List of grants – XLS file 

Grants awarded in the Stronger Voice call will be used to disseminate in Poland products developed as part of projects funded in previous calls of the Programme. This time we want to support effective dissemination of information about products (e.g. website resources, tutorials, workshop scenarios, working methods) as well as activities that increase the chances that they will be used in other places and by other organisations or institutions. 

Details of the call can be found HERE 

Below are the minutes of the Selection Committee and Programme Committee meetings: 

Selection Committee meeting minutes 

Programme Committee meeting minutes 

If you have any questions or concerns about the call, please contact the Shipyard Foundation team responsible for organising the competition. This can be done by email ([email protected]) or phone (+48 500 142 994). 

‘Stronger Voice’ Call for Proposals – call for dissemination of products

Grants awarded in the Stronger Voice call for proposals will be used to disseminate in Poland the products developed in projects supported in previous calls of the Programme. This time we would like to support effective dissemination of information about the products (e.g. website resources, tutorials, workshop scenarios, working methods), as well as activities that increase the chances that they will be used in other places and by other organisations or institutions. 

Applications can be submitted from 8 January 2024 (12:00 noon) to 22 January 2024 (12:00 noon) via the Online Application System. Award decisions will be made by 13 February 2024. 

The call offers grants of between 5,000 EUR and 10,000 EUR, with an optional own contribution. Projects can run from 13 February to 30 April 2024.  

 Details of the call can be found HERE 

If you have any questions or concerns about applying for a grant, please contact the Shipyard Foundation team responsible for organising the competition. This can be done by email ([email protected]) or phone (+48 500 142 994).

Activities for small local communities – meeting in Wroclaw

The workshop was attended by representatives of: The Active Elderly Association in Wojkowice, Through the Eyes of Women, Association for the Development of Civic Counseling, In the Landscape Foundation, Foundation of Active People and Places, HereTogether Association, Foundation Pieknolesie, Polish Judges’ Association “Iustitia”, ECOLOGICAL FOUNDATION “GREEN ACTION”, Association for people with disabilities “Trójka” from Śrem.  

Many thanks to the Wrocław Centre for Social Development for co-organising!  

We invite you to watch and listen to the inspiring stories of the participants of the meeting: 

video and photos: Skill Media

CSOs at the forefront of refugees support – conference report

Participants of the conference ‘CSOs at the forefront of refugee support – common challenges and solutions’ represented dozens of organisations working with people with migration and refugee experience.

During the opening, the Ambassadors of Norway and Iceland, Øystein Bø and Hannes Heimisson, as well as a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Kevin J. Allen, were with us. 

The conference provided a space to share good practices related to integration, empowering people with refugee experience and those from host communities, and building cross-sectoral partnerships. There were also topics related to advocacy, working with volunteers, conducting research, and preventing professional burnout. Participants also shared experiences from the border, camps or working with people at risk of intersectional discrimination. 

On the last day, there were study visits to the Warsaw Ukrainian School, the Ocalenie Foundation and the Polish Migration Forum Foundation. 

The conference “CSOs at the forefront of refugee support – common challenges and solutions” is a regional initiative, implemented by our sister programme Active Citizens Fund – Regional in cooperation with us and Fund Operators from Croatia, Greece, Lithuania and Romania. 

We encourage you to find out more about the programme of the event. 

Photos Karolina Szczepocka 

 

“Voice&Vote – let’s rise above public consultation” – report

We discussed among people from 9 countries! We were introduced to the topic by Kuba Wygnański from the Shipyard Foundation and Ieva Cesnulaityte from Democracy Next, who told us how many such processes have already been implemented around the world and how important they are for facing social challenges and polarisation. We also learned about examples of implemented processes (citizens’ panels) among others from Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. 

The meeting is part of the regional initiative ‘Voice&Vote. Let’s rise above public consultation’ in our Programme, and was organised by the Shipyard Foundation. 

Photos Wojciech Radwański

Senior Lab in Cracow

The workshop was attended by representatives of: Christian Foundation for Personal Development RONDO, WINDOW TO THE EAST Foundation, Foundation “Between Art and Therapy”, HereTogether Association, Green Group Association, Ktoś Foundation, ASSOCIATION FOR THE DISABLED “WITHOUT BARRIERS”, Aeris Futuro Foundation, The Central Association of the Kolping Society of Poland, Map of Passions Foundation, Association “CSA” Combine of Social Activity, Retina AMD Poland Association 

We encourage you to watch and listen to the inspiring stories of the participants at the meeting:

Photos Tomasz Markowski

International seminar on fundraising in Central and Eastern Europe

During the two-day seminar, participants discussed what research should be used to look at the state of philanthropy and fundraising in former eastern bloc countries and explored examples of successful campaigns to raise funds for non-obvious objectives, such as supporting minorities or defending the rule of law. They also discussed whether, and what experiences are worth learning from, when it comes to the developed UK fundraising market. 

An important part of the educational event was the space for sharing experiences. During group work, alternative scenarios for the development of fundraising in our part of Europe were built. The biggest threats and barriers to the development of philanthropy were also considered, as well as what advocacy actions should be taken to respond to them. There were also discussions on the quality of services offered to organisations in fundraising training and consultancy. 

Speeches recorded during the seminar: Richard Docwray from ChangeStar agency (UK), Eduard Marček from Slovak Fundraising Centre, Marina Škrabalo from Croatian organisation Solidarna, Giedrė Šopaitė-Šilinskienė from Lithuanian agency Fundraising@LT, Zoran Grozdanova from the Croatian Centre for Dialogue Culture, Jan Gregoraz from the Czech organisation Svět Neziskovek and Marianna Wartecka from the Ocalenie Foundation, will be published on the e-learning platform FAOO kursodrom. pl and on the organisation’s YouTube channel. 

CEE Fundraising 2023: Sharing Experience – Expert seminar on fundraising capacity building was organised by the Academy of Civic Organisations Foundation in cooperation with Croatian organisations SMART and Solidarna, as a so-called regional initiative under the Active Citizens Fund -National Programme. The meeting was held in the Jerzy Turowicz Conference Room, at the headquarters of the Batory Foundation. 

“Voice&Vote – let’s rise above public consultation” – invitation

The invitation is primarily addressed to Project Promoters from the Beneficiary States of the Active Citizens programme, but also to anyone interested in the topic. As part of the initiative, we are planning: a webinar (already on 29 June!), desk research and a two-day live event (in October) for organisations that are involved in these types of participatory processes. 

Detailed information can be found HERE. 

Results of the call for bilateral and regional initiatives

Results update – 23 June 2023: 

We would like to thank you for your patience while waiting for the final results of call for proposals for bilateral and regional initiatives of the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme and we rush to give you a happy update. 

Well, the Selection Committee, consisting of the project supervisors of the projects funded under the Programme, has decided that all applications qualified for the post-award round will receive funding. Congratulations! The competition was very evenly balanced and the applications dealt with so many different topics that it would have been very difficult to choose just 1 of them. Therefore, funding is also awarded to: 

  • Koszarawa and Kocierzanka River Partnership Foundation in partnership with Press – Redd Barna Ungdom from Norway, 
  • LEVEL UP Association in partnership with Reykjavík City Library | Culture Houses from Iceland, 
  • ‘No grades school’ Foundation in partnership with Centre for Language and Literacy Rejkjavik from Iceland 
  • FestivALT Association in partnership with The Falstad Centre Foundation from Norway, 
  • The Committee for the Defence of Democracy in partnership with Center for Development and the Environment, Oslo University (SUM) from Norway, 
  • The Working Community of Associations of Social Organisations in partnership with European Anti Poverty Network from Portugal. 

By the decision of a Selection Committee made up of project supervisors of projects funded under the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme, the initiatives that have been supported are: 

  • Foundation of Active People and Places in partnership with Bjerkaker Learning Hub from Norway 
  • Volunteers of Equality Foundation in partnership with Hinsegin dagar í Reykjavík from Iceland 
  • Autonomy Foundation in partnership with Slagtog z Islandii i Riposta from Romania 
  • Foundation Towards Dialogue in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Hungary from Hungary 
  • Womenstate Collective Association in partnership with Cultural and Artistic Society ZIZ from Slovenia. 

Initiatives that have been invited to correct and resubmit their application and which will be reassessed are: 

  • Koszarawa and Kocierzanka River Partnership Foundation in partnership with Press – Redd Barna Ungdom from Norway, 
  • LEVEL UP Association in partnership with Reykjavík City Library | Culture Houses from Iceland, 
  • ‘No grades school’ Foundation in partnership with Centre for Language and Literacy Rejkjavik from Iceland 
  • FestivALT Association in partnership with The Falstad Centre Foundation from Norway, 
  • The Committee for the Defence of Democracy in partnership with Center for Development and the Environment, Oslo University (SUM) from Norway, 
  • The Working Community of Associations of Social Organisations in partnership with European Anti Poverty Network from Portugal. 

Initiatives that have not been supported:  

  • Regional Information and Support Centre for NGOs in partnership Contextos from Portugal  
  • Foundation Institute for Socio-Economic Balance in partnership with Make it Better- Association for Innovation and Social Economy from Portugal 
  • Women in Forestry Association in partnership Skogarkonur from Iceland 
  • Foundation Pieknolesie in partnership with The Science and Education Innovation Center from Latvia 
  • Kwadrofonik Association in partnership with Kristania University College from Norway. 

The Committee’s decision is due to the reduction of funds for bilateral and regional initiatives and the high competition in the 3rd round among the proposed initiatives (a total of 16 proposals out of 6 initiatives remaining to be supported). We wish all those who sent in their proposals – regardless of the Committee’s decision – the best of luck in implementing their ideas internationally! 

Meeting for Project Promoters in the framework of capacity building activities

The two-day workshop in Pruszków, during which Project Promoters had the opportunity to exchange experiences on the ethical side of the organisation’s operation, was led by Katarzyna Sadło. Participants had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of how to act openly, transparently and responsibly and how to translate declared values into concrete actions. 

The workshop was attended by representatives of: Through the Eyes of Women Asocciation, The Woman for PLUS Association, Foundation of Education and Development FLOW, ‘We are for you’ Foundation, Foundation Institute Open Space, Better Jozefoslaw Association, ASSOCIATION FOR THE DISABLED “WITHOUT BARRIERS”, ‘Ktoś’ Foundation, Olsztyn Deaf Association, The Association of Helping Families “Tygiel”, Caritas of the Zielona Góra-Gorzów Diocese, Innovation Zone Foundation, Democracy Action Foundation, We do Care Foundation, Vis Maior Foundation, Educational Enterprise Foundation and The Committee for the Defence of Democracy.  

Results of the call for bilateral and regional initiatives

So far, we have selected four initiatives from the seven proposals submitted. These are: 

  • You Plan Culture Foundation with partner G.F.C. Generation Change CY from Cyprus, 
  • NOVA Foundation with partner PlanBe Plan It Be It from Cyprus, 
  • ‘We are for you’ Foundation with partner ‘Stigamot’ from Iceland, 
  • The Intro Association with partner Asocciation for the Prevention and Handling from Cyprus.

Congratulations! 

We would like to remind you that the deadline for the call for proposals is 30 April 2023 and all details can be found HERE. We will announce the results of the final round of calls on our website on 29 May 2023. 

We also encourage you to watch an informative webinar. 

Meeting for Project Promoters in calls for sectoral projects

On 12 and 13 April 2023, representatives of organisations that implement sectoral projects in our Programme met in Warsaw. 

On the first day, participants took part in the training course ‘Effective communication in online fundraising’, led by Michał Serwiński. On the second day, there were project presentations, a lecture by the Panoptykon Foundation on the cyber security of organisations, group work sessions and an exchange of experiences in the implementation of activities. 

The meeting was organised by the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation and was attended by people representing organisations: Institute for Patient Rights and Health Education, WINDOW TO THE EAST Foundation, Landladies association “Łapianka on heels” in Łapy Dębowina, The Working Community of Associations of Social Organisations, The Rule of Law Institute Foundation, Grupa Zagranica, Regional Information and Support Centre for NGOs, Association Krakow Smog Alert, Aquila Association, Court Watch Poland Foundation, Baltic Institute for Regional Affairs BISER, The Association Center of Promotion and Civil Initiative Development PISOP, Euro-Concret Association, Foundation trzeci.org, Association of the Voluntary Fire Brigades Republic of Poland, School for Leaders Foundation, Bona Fides Association, Citizens Network Watchdog Poland, The Field of Dialogue Foundation 

Watch and listen to the inspiring stories of our grantees: 

 

Photos Wojtek Radwański

Civic engagement of youth – study visit to Iceland

On 21-26.05.2023, together with our sister programme Active Citizens – Regional Fund and the Icelandic Focal Point (led by Icelantic Human Right Centre), we are organising a study visit to Iceland on the topic of youth civic engagement. 

This study visit is for you if: 

  • you and the organisation you represent are committed to strengthening the voice of young people in the decision-making process of local government/city/national government 
  • you are involved in youth education in the field of democracy and participation  
  • you need to exchange know-how and experiences between Icelandic and Polish actors in the field of citizen youth participation  
  • you want to discuss potential areas for future partnership and cooperation between Icelandic and Polish actors in the field of youth involvement and empowerment  
  • you are a Project Promoter of the Active Citizens Fund- National Programme or a formal partner in a project supported by the Programme (regardless of the project start and end date).

The organisers of the visit (Active Citizens Fund – National and Active Citizens Fund – Regional programmes) provide all travel costs (flight Warsaw-Keflavik and transport/reimbursement to and from the Warsaw airport to the place of residence, as well as all costs of the stay (accommodation, food, local transport) and translation from and into English (so no knowledge of English is required), as well as travel insurance. 

To take part in the visit, you need to fill in the recruitment form at the link below no later than 16 April 2023. 

The number of participants is limited. One person per organisation is welcome to attend. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the coordinator for bilateral and regional cooperation: Anna Fedas ([email protected], tel. +48 22 536 02 41).

The mechanism of support for bilateral and regional initiatives

We invite proposals for international initiatives aimed at the exchange of knowledge, know-how and experience between Polish social organisations and entities from:

  • Donor States of EEA Grants (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway),
  •  Beneficiary States of EEA Grants (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia),
  • Ukraine.

The call for applications started on 23 January and will run until 30 April 2023. The evaluation of the submitted applications will be carried out on a rolling basis and decisions on funding initiatives will be made three times during this period, unless funds are used up earlier.

What can funding be obtained for?

Funding is available under the competition for:

  • an internship in a foreign organisation (an educational experience involving the performance of practical tasks related to the area of activity of the organisation concerned),
  • job-shadowing in a foreign organisation (educational experience involving observation of another, more experienced person at work),
  • other forms of exchange of knowledge, know-how and experience, such as: study trips, joint workshops and training with entities from different countries, mentoring, etc.

The funding of the initiative can amount up to 6 000 EUR for a bilateral initiative and 5000 EUR for a regional initiative.

Funding under this mechanism is available for NGOs that are established and registered in Poland, and:

  • in case of ACFRegional: are eligible for Active Citizens Fund Regional grants and do take at least some of their statutory actions related to the goals of the ACF Programme outside of the city of Warsaw,
  • in case of ACFNational: are already project promoters (have been awarded at least one grant
    or are partners of project promoters) under the ACFNational Programme.

The initiative (including preparation and evaluation) may last from 1 to 6 months. All activities should terminate no later than 30 April, 2024.

Please note that the application under this call can only be submitted in English.

Information webinar

Anyone interested in applying is invited to attend an information webinar on 9 February 2023 (Thursday) at 11:00 a.m. More information in Polish can be found HERE.

Documents relating to the call

Call for proposals (PL version)

Call for proposals (EN version)

Grant application form

Template of the grant form evaluation sheet

Should you have any questions about the mechanism and/or application procedure, please contact:

  • for Active Citizens Fund National: Anna Fedas ([email protected], +48 791 413 200),
  • for Active Citizens Fund Regional: Ewa Stokłuska ([email protected], +48 720 801 013).

 

The Media for democracy call for proposals – results of formal evaluation

Of the 37 applications, 36 have passed formal evaluation and will go to substantive evaluation.

List of applications – formal evaluation (XLS file)

Of the 36 applicant organizations whose applications passed formal evaluation, nine were invited to the next stage of evaluation, i.e. interviews with experts. In accordance with the rules of the competition, the highest rated applications, whose total requested grant amount does not exceed 150% of the allocation planned for the competition, qualify for the meetings.

List of applications – organizations qualified for interviews (XLS file)

We will publish the results of the call along with the list of grants by the end of October 2022.

Visit of young activists from Norway to Poland

Young people from Norway are ambassadors of the No hate speech/Stop hatprat campaign. The young people from Poland represented the EcoAs Academy project implemented in our Programme by the Kocierzanka and Koszarawa River Basin Partnership Foundation and the Generation Change project coordinated by the Stanisław Brzozowski Association (Krytyka Polityczna – Political Critique).

After the spring visit, the young people met in July at a camp for active young people in Norway organised by the Redd Barna organisation, and are already planning further initiatives!

The meeting took place within the framework of bilateral cooperation in the Active Citizens Fund – National programme.

 

photo: Krzysztof Pacholak

Study visit to Liechtenstein about women’s rights

We invite persons representing non-governmental organisations dealing with women’s rights in politics (both local and national), in the broadly understood public sphere and in the collective memory of a given community, in the labour market, in the area of reproductive rights and bodily self-determination to take part in the visit. 

 

The visit will take place from 28.06-1.07 2023 and will consist a series of meetings with people representing civil society organisations and public institutions from Liechtenstein, including: 

The study visit is organised together by the Active Citizens Fund – National and Active Citizens Fund – Regional programmes in cooperation with the Representation of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the European Union. The organisers cover all costs associated with participation in the visit, including travel, accommodation, simultaneous translation from German, meals and travel insurance. 

To participate in the visit, please complete the recruitment form found HERE no later than 29 March 2023. One person from each organisation is welcome to participate. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the bilateral and regional cooperation coordinators: 

  • for persons representing organisations that are Project Promoters or partners in projects funded by the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme: Anna Fedas ([email protected], +48 791 413 200),  
  • for persons representing other organisations: Ewa Stokłuska ([email protected], +48 720 801 013). 

You can read more about the situation of women’s rights in Liechtenstein in the publications below and learn from the recording of a webinar on women’s rights in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic which was held on 8 December 2020. 

Liechtenstein in numbers: 

https://www.statistikportal.li/de/uebersichten-indikatoren/liechtenstein-in-figures 

Basic information about Liechtenstein: 

https://www.liechtenstein.li/en (tourism website)  

https://www.regierung.li/default.aspx?lang=en (government’s website)  

Women’s rights and the civic sector in Liechtenstein: 

Bilateral and regional initiatives – webinar recording

The speakers were: 

  • Anna Fedas – coordinator of bilateral and regional cooperation in the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme, works at the Stefan Batory Foundation; 
  • Ewa Stokłuska – coordinator of bilateral and regional cooperation in the Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme, works at the Education for Democracy Foundation; 
  • Agnieszka Podgórska – director of education and networking at the Watchdog Polska Civic Network. Organises and conducts activities aimed at local activists: monitoring, trainings on watchdog activities, the course ‘(Without)Hope’ of small and big municipality, School of Watchdog Initiatives. 

The webinar was hosted by Bogna Mrozowska – a member of the Programme’s communication team and works at The Information Society Development Foundation. 

To download (PL version): 

The Programme’s anti-discrimination and anti-mobbing policy

We present the Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Mobbing Policy for organisations benefiting from the support of the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme, which we have developed in order to ensure that the activities funded by the Programme are carried out in accordance with the principles and values on which it is based. These principles oblige organisations benefiting from the support of the Programme to respect human dignity, respect and protect human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, equal treatment. 

This Policy provides an opportunity for organisations against which – during the implementation of activities supported by the Programme – an allegation of discrimination or mobbing has been made, to undergo an explanatory procedure allowing for the case to be examined by an impartial expert commission and, if the allegation is confirmed, to implement the commission’s recommendations for corrective measures. 

The Policy was adopted for the duration of the Programme, i.e. until 31 December 2024. 

More information and the text of the Policy can be found HERE (PL version).

Media for Democracy – results of the call

The total amount of grants is the sum of the allocation originally provided for the Media for Democracy call for proposals (EUR 750,000) and the funds not used in the institutional grants call for proposals (EUR 57,165).

List of granted organziations –  XLS format

Below we publish the minutes of the meetings of the Selection Committee and the Programme Committee:

Minutes of the meeting of the Selection Committee (PL version)

Minutes of the meeting of the Programme Committee (PL version) 

 

Results of the call for organisational grants

Grants may be used for the following:
a) activities to strengthen and develop an organisation in line with the longterm strategy/action plan adopted by the organisation

b) ongoing activities consistent with the organisation’s mission and with the longterm strategy/action plan adopted by the organisation.

The call is funded from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 20142021.

List of granted organisations – XLS format

All Applicants have access to the assessment sheets of their applications through the Online Application System.

More information can be found HERE.

The Media for Democracy call for proposals

The grant budget of the call is: 750 000 EUR, increased by unused funds from the call for organisational grants.

Grants can be used to implement activities aiming at strengthening the media in Poland – particularly local and civic ones – so that they can more comprehensively and more effectively pursue functions that are essential from the perspective of contemporary democracy and protection of the democratic order

Applications can be submitted: between 14 July 2022 (from 12.00 pm midday CET) and 5 September 2022 (up until 12.00 pm midday CET)

Deadline for announcing the results: 31 October 2022

Grants may be used no earlier than 1 November 2022 and must be used by 30 April 2024 at the latest.

The full text of the “Call for applications”, and “Applicant and Project Promoter Guide”, other documents concerning the call for projects, and information about scheduled online training sessions can be found HERE. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding application for a grant, please contact the Operator team at [email protected] or call +48 500 142 994.

Call for organisational grants

Organisational grants of between 50 000 EUR and 100 000 EUR will be awarded to CSOs that conduct activity that is important to the entire third sector, its branch or a field in which they operate.

Applications can be submitted between 1 March 2022 (from 12.00 pm midday CET) and 21 April 2022 (up until 12.00 pm midday CEST) using the Online Application System.

The decision on the grants awarded will be made in July 2022.

The full text of the “Call for applications”, and “Applicant and Project Promoter Guide”, other documents concerning the call for projects, and information about scheduled online training sessions can be found HERE.

#CivilSocietyStartsHere – a campaign promoting the best projects

Welcome to watch movies promoting the individual values of the campaign.

Freedom – here you can find a great project “Local leaders” realized by Tolerado association from Gdańsk.

Dignity – in this video you can learn about the fantastic project “The language used with respect to old age – respect in practice” run by the 4th of June Forum Association from Ksawerów. The initiative addresses the problem of counteracting the use of discriminatory language towards the elderly – the so-called elderspeak.

Human rights – here you can find inspiring projects realized by organisations from Cyprus, Romania and Greece.

Equal– here you can find inspiring projects realized by organisations from Romania, Croatia and Lithuania.

Democracy – here you can find inspiring projects realized by organisations from Hungary, Latvia, Slovakia, Portugal.

 

International seminar “Hear the other”

The short video relation:

Programme of the event and biograms of participants and participating organizations can be found HERE.

We asked the participants what does the programme Active Citizens Fund – National and intercultural dialogue mean for them. Here are their stories.

Agnieszka Caban – Foundation Towards Dialogue:

Karina Melnytska – Ocalenie (Rescue) Foundation:

Agnieška Avin – social anthropologist from Vilnus:

Karolis Dambrauskas – Lithuanian Center for Social Sciences:

Rūta Ribinskaitė – project manager of Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) community:

Aleksandra Zapolska – Zustricz Foundation:

 

Photo gallery (photo: Gabija Jakimavičiūtė):

Results of the second call for thematic projects

Increased citizen participation in civic activities
49 small grants for a total of EUR 1 352 494
44 large grants for a total of EUR 3 140 504

Increased support for human rights and antidiscrimination practices
31 small grants for a total of EUR 855 719
30 large grants for a total of EUR 2 184 668

Increased empowerment of vulnerable groups
33 small grants for a total of EUR 907 948
30 large grants for a total of EUR 2 160 532

All Applicants have access to the assessment sheets of their applications after connecting the Application System to the Internet.

HERE are the details of the results presented according to supported areas (in small and large grants).

Second call for sectoral monitoring and advocacy projects – results

Types of activities eligible for support:
• monitoring the development and application of laws and public policies which affect the functioning of social organizations and civic movements,
• advocacy of rights and interests aimed at improving conditions for the activities of social organizations and civic movements.

List of granted projects – XLS format

All Applicants have access to the assessment sheets of their applications through the Online Application System.

Active Citizens Days 2021 – Polish representation

They are going to take part in a series of online workshops over several months, culminating in a trip to Oslo (we’re keeping our fingers crossed to make it possible!), where they will meet human rights activists from the other 14 countries participating in the Active Citizens Fund Programme and Donor-States. The main organiser of the project is Fund Operator of the Active Citizens Fund in Romania and Norwegian Helsinki Committee. Recruitment for the project in Poland was conducted by Active Citizens Fund – National  and Active Citizens Fund – Regional.

Jan Marković, co-founder of the Subcarpathian Association for Active Families, an NGO which does a lot of good in the fields of civil rights, culture, and education. Psychologist, trainer, board game designer and children book author. Likes to learn about new things and to be surprised. Does not like cynicism. Is happy when kids ask him “Why?”.

Aleksandra Sidoruk, third-year student of international relations at the University of Lodz, specializing in the foreign policy of the United States and Latin America. Boardmember of the Gals4Gals Lodz, volunteer at the Regional Center for International Debate in Lodz, project coordinator at the Green REV Institute and member of the Green Party.

Filip Malejewski, father of three daughters, geographer. Human rights activist since 2015, currently treasurer in Refugees Szczecin Association and member of the board in westpomeranian branch of the Committee for the Defense of Democracy.

Barbara Biskup, doctor of education, anti-discrimination educator and WenDo trainer (self-defense and assertiveness for women). Shee works at the Regional Volunteer Center in Kielce, where she organizes discussion meetings and human rights actions (documentary film festival WATCH DOCS, happening One Billion Rising, Amnesty International Marathon of Writing Letters, Living Library, intercultural workshops) and coordinates European volunteering projects (European Solidarity Corps).

Monitoring and advocacy activities – meetings with international experts

On 16 February at 12.00 p.m. CET the following will talk about the not easy, but very educational experiences and proven solutions in their many years of advocacy work:

  • Oana Preda expert from Resource Center for Public Participation – CeRe and TamTam – an informal coalition fighting for citizens’ right to participate in decision-making processes in Romania
  • Tina Divjak from Centre for NGOs Slovenia (CNVOS) – expert on legislation for Slovenian social organisations and citizen participation in public policy-making

On 18 February at 12 p.m. CET, proven methods and latest trends in advocacy and monitoring to improve the health of the civil sector will be talked about:

  • Cezara Grama – expert on the rule of law, working with the Romanian think-tank Expert Forum
  • Guri Idsø Viken representing Frivillighet Norge/The Association of NGOs from Norway – policy advisor to a Norwegian organisation of other social organisations
  • Olivia Vereha from Code for Romania – an expert on new technologies to make life easier for social organisations working in the service of democracy

Both meetings will be held in English, recorded and – after adding Polish subtitles – published on our website and social media. If you are interested in taking part, please fill in the registration form.

Below are biographies of all invited persons (alphabetical order by first name):

Cezara Grama is a rule of law expert working with Expert Forum, a Romanian think-tank, since 2014 on issues of justice, transparency, rule of law and active citizenship. Since joining EFOR’s team she has played an active role in monitoring elections (2014-2019). She has been involved with EFOR’s School for Democracy Program since 2015, training and supporting teachers to engage their students and communities on issues of active citizenship and democracy. In recent years, she has been focusing on how to engage teachers and particularly students on the topic of civic education and active citizenship.

Guri Idsø Viken is a senior political adviser in The Association of NGOs in Norway (Frivillighet Norge), where she, among other things, is responsible for the involvement in Active Citizens Fund Romania. She has been working on politics and communication for the last 16 years, and is also a journalist and media commentator in several Norwegian newspapers and on radio. She lives in a small island in southern Norway and volunteers for several small and large NGOs within sports and culture.

Oana Preda has been part of the Romanian nongovernmental sector since 1996. She worked with Pro-Democracy Association, where got experienced in promoting democracy and public participation. After that, Oana worked for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) in Romania supporting NGOs in their advocacy efforts. In 2006, Oana Preda took part in the establishment of the Resource Center for Public Participation – CeRe, one of the most relevant NGOs in the area of activism and citizens participation. Currently, she is the Director of CeRe.Apart her professional activity, preoccupied by social justice, Oana is a civic activist fighting for many causes relevant for the Romanian society. CeRe’s mission is to contribute to a just and equitable society, where people stand together and their voices are central to the decision-making processes. CeRe works with citizens’ groups and NGOs to help them have a stronger voice. Currently, CeRe is facilitating the TamTam – NGOs group for citizens – an informal coalition which defends the civic space for participation.

Olivia Vereha – co-founder / Chief Operations Officer @ Code for Romania
Holding a background in communications and customer and user experience design, since 2016, Olivia Vereha is dedicating her entire time to managing the delivery flow for all Code for Romania projects. She is passionate about how technology can shape and improve our day to day lives and she is always willing to help in any way she can in building great digital tools for our society. Having a strong focus on usability and learning, her work focuses on user research, analysis and functionality and how all these translate in better digital services and solutions in the public space.

Tina Divjak is a head of advocacy at CNVOS. She has been working on different issues of NGO development since 2003. She has been focusing on enabling environment for NGOs – legislation, public funding, public participation in policy-making, transparency and accountability of NGOs. She has authored or co-authored several analyses, studies and manuals in Slovenia and abroad (Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries). She has worked as an expert for Council of Europe, Regional Cooperation Council, TACSO, different ministries, etc. From 2011 – 2020 she was a president of the Government Council for the development of NGOs. In 2018, she authored the study, commissioned by EESC, “The future evolution of civil society in the European Union by 2030”.

 

 

Webinar on call for projects concerning advocacy and monitoring activities

What the webinar covered:
• who can submit an application in the call for sectoral projects concerning advocacy and monitoring activities,
• the types of activities for which grants are available,
• what is meant by sectoral activities,
• whether you have correctly understood the call rules on amounts of grants, the timeframe, devising the budget, and cooperation in a partnership,
• the application assessment procedure.

The meetings was led by Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation experts.

More information about the call can be found HERE. Applications must be submitted by midday on 15 March 2021.

Call for sectoral projects concerning advocacy and monitoring activities

Grants are available for activities concerning monitoring of formulation of the law and the practice of enforcing the law and public policies affecting the operations of social organisations and civic movements, and advocacy for rights and interests to improve the conditions in which social organisations and civic movements operate. Projects can last between twelve and thirty months, and there is no required contribution.

Projects can be implemented by the Applicant acting alone or in cooperation with Partners based in Poland or elsewhere. Each organisation applying for a grant for a project will also be able to receive an additional grant for capacity building, namely for team-building, improving skills, raising funds for its activities, and improving management.

Applications must be submitted using the Online Application System.

The full text of the “Call for applications”, and “Applicant and Project Promoter Guide”, other documents concerning the call for projects, and information about scheduled online training sessions can be found HERE.

The decision on the grants awarded will be made by 31 May 2021.

 

The second call for thematic projects is now closed

The project outlines are now being reviewed to check that they fulfil administrative requirements. A list of the projects accepted for content-related assessment will be published soon. Each application will be assessed by two or three experts. Following the content-related assessment, a list will be provided of the organisations invited to submit a detailed project. These will be submitted between 8 March and 19 April 2021. Good luck to all of the Applicants!

More information about the second call can be found HERE.

Recordings – a series of webinars on the second call for thematic projects

Webinars on particular areas for which funding is available can be viewed HERE.

You are also welcome to watch the general webinar on the second call for thematic projects.

It is worth taking a look at the presentation from the webinar “You won’t get anywhere without diagnosis. How to properly prepare reasons for the need for activities under the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme”.

Are you looking for a foreign partner for a project? Watch the webinar on bilateral and regional cooperation.

Results of the call for sectoral projects

Our sincere congratulations to those organisations that were awarded grants! All Applicants can now, even today, review the assessment sheets for their application by logging on to the Online Application System.

Organisations that did not receive funding can apply for grants in another call for sectoral projects, for monitoring or advocacy activities. The call will be announced by the end of this January. They can also take part in the second call, which is now being held for thematic projects. Project outlines for this call must be submitted by midday on 11 January. Also, our sister fund, the  Active Citizens Fund – Regional Programme, will be launching calls for projects implemented in areas other than Warsaw.

Who was awarded grants in the call for sectoral projects – you are welcome to review the ranking.

LIST OF DETAILED PROJECTS FOLLOWING CONTENT-RELATED ASSESSMENT IN THE CALL FOR SECTORAL PROJECTS (XLS format)

Grants for sectoral projects were awarded to all organisations whose applications were given a score of more than 18. Out of the applications awarded 18 points, funding was awarded for four, and one was placed on the reserve list.

The minutes of meetings of the Selection Committee and Programme Committee are provided below:

Selection Committee meeting minutes

Programme Committee meeting minutes

 

Bilateral and regional cooperation – online meetings

7.12 am from 12-13.30 pm on cooperation with Belarusian organisations and support for immigrants/teachers from Belarus (in Polish)

8.12 am 10-11.30 pm on deradicalisation, dialogue over divisions and prevention of hate crimes – inspirations from Norway (in English)

8.12 am from 12.00 to 13.30 pm on women’s rights (including advocacy initiatives) – inspirations from Iceland and Liechtenstein (in English)

11.12 am from 12.00 to 13.30 pm on grassroots/local initiatives to support communities (including vulnarable groups) during a pandemic – inspirations from Norway (in English)

We also offer support in searching for a partner and organizing the first ice-breaking meeting – more: https://forms.gle/qxdMNxsMDnyw4pfu7.

Second call for thematic projects

A consortium of the Stefan Batory Foundation, the “Shipyard” Foundation and the Academia of Civic Organisations Foundation issues the second call for thematic projects in the Active Citizens Fund – National, financed from the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 (EEA Grants).

The amounts allocated to particular support areas are:

  • Area 1: civic participation in public affairs and social activities: EUR 4 500 000, increased by unused funds from the first call,
  • Area 2: protection of human rights and equal treatment: EUR 2 985 000, increased by unused funds from the first call,
  • Area 3: empowerment of vulnerable groups: EUR 2 970 000, increased by unused funds from the first call.

The envisaged results of the Programme and particular areas for which support is provided are listed on the Programme website: https://aktywniobywatele.org.pl/en/about-the-fund/results/

There are two types of grants available in the call for proposals:

Small grants:

  • Minimum grant: EUR 5 000
  • Maximum grant: EUR 25 000
  • Project implementation period: between 8 and 24 months
  • Co-financing: optional

Large grants:

  • Minimum grant: EUR 25 000
  • Maximum grant: 62 500 EUR
  • Project implementation period: od 8 do 24 months
  • Co-financing: optional.

Applications can be submitted via the Online Application System available at wnioski.aktywniobywatele.org.pl

Deadlines for applications:

  • Project outlines can be submitted between 7 December (from 9.00 am CET) and 11 January 2021 (up until 12.00 pm midday CEST).
  • Detailed projects can be submitted between 8 March 2021 (from 12.00 pm midday CEST) and 19 April 2021 (until 12.00 pm midday CEST).

Second call for thematic projects – full text 

All the documents relating to call II for thematic projects can be found HERE.

Join us for live information webinar on Friday, December 4th 2020 at 2 pm.

We also invite for a series of inspiring online meetings with foreign organisations which we organize between 7th and 11th of December.

 

The Active Citizens Fund – Regional programme

The Active Citizens Fund – Regional programme is financed using EEA Financial Mechanism funds (EEA funds), from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The programme will be implemented from 2020-2024 by a consortium made up of the Foundation in Support of Local Democracy/Fundacja Rozwoju Demokracji Lokalnej (consortium leader), the Information Society Development Foundation/Fundacja Rozwoju Społeczeństwa Informacyjnego, the Education for Democracy Foundation/Fundacja Edukacja dla Demokracji.

The aim of the programme is to enable long-term enhancement of social welfare organisations in Poland (in particular those that operate in small towns) and develop the civil society, for which social diversity, equality, and dialogue are of particular value.

Under the programme, CSOs will be able to apply for co-financing of projects in the following areas:

  1. Defending human rights (including gender equality issues).
  2. Measures to further social diversity and empowerment of vulnerable groups.
  3. Building a culture of democratic values and civil involvement at a local level (including environmental protection issues).
  4. Providing support for the social welfare sector.

In addition to the calls for projects, awareness-raising measures will also be conducted to improve the skills of persons connected with the social welfare sector.

The programme is officially scheduled to start in January 2021.

Programme Facebook page

The website for the Programme will be created at: https://aktywniobywatele-regionalny.org.pl/.

Results of stage I of the call for sectoral projects

277 applications did not attain a score making them eligible for the detailed project stage. 51 applications were found by experts not to be in line with the Programme objectives and the basic principles in the field “Support for development of the civic sector”, and thus were not assessed further.

Due to the low number of applications judged eligible for stage II and concerning activities relating to “Monitoring of formulation of the law and the practice of enforcing the law and public policies” and “Advocacy for rights and interests”, the Operator is considering launching a separate call for projects aimed solely at supporting sectoral monitoring and advocacy initiatives. Details will be published in a separate statement.

Detailed projects can be submitted from noon on Thursday 27 August 2020 until noon on Monday 26 October 2020.

All applicants submitting proposals for stage II are encouraged to make use of the content-related support provided by the Programme Operator. We have scheduled webinars, a special workshop, and publication of additional information packs. Detailed information will be posted regularly on our website and social media sites.

Tips for detailed projects in the call for thematic projects

What it is worth looking at before writing the detailed project proposal?

We recommend the following:

 

 

Results of administrative assessment of the call for sectoral projects

Out of 395 applications submitted, 388 were accepted for the next stage, which is content-related assessment, of which one was accepted following an appeal. Six applications were found not to meet the administrative requirements, of which two were re-examined, and one was withdrawn. We recommend reviewing the LISTS/LISTY. The results of the expert assessments will be released by 25 August.

Call for sectoral projects has just been closed

Grants will be awarded for projects to support the civic sector at nationwide level and in particular regions or subsectors. They must focus on activities such as provision of services and other activities that support capacity building of CSOs and civic movements, measures to increase public awareness about what organizations do, or to monitor the laws that affect how CSOs and civic movements function.

The organizations which meet requirements following administrative and eligibility assessment will be invited to submit detailed project proposals from 25 August onwards.

 

Results of stage I of the call for thematic projects

If more projects were awarded the minimum score required to go through to stage II, all of the projects were accepted for the detailed project stage, even if this meant exceeding 150% of the funds allocated for grants in the first call.
Congratulations to those organizations whose applications were accepted for stage II! Detailed projects can be submitted starting from noon today, 15 June, and can be submitted up until noon on 10 August.
Also from noon today onwards, all Applicants will be able to access their application assessment sheets, by logging on to the Online Application System.
Organizations whose projects were not accepted for the next stage are heartily encouraged to apply in the second call for thematic projects. The deadline for submitting project outlines is in November!

Sectoral projects – videos of webinars and online training

In the first webinar of 27 May 2020, we explain what the call for sectoral projects is, what its objectives are, and who can implement them, and we describe types of activities for which grants can be awarded.
The webinar video can be viewed HERE.

All of the important details concerning partnership cooperation in sectoral projects are provided in the next training session held on 29 May 2020.
The webinar video can be viewed HERE.

An online workshop was held on 4 June 2020 on how to draw up an application for a sectoral project grant. This meeting is recommended for people in organizations that will be named as the leader in the grant application.
The workshop video can be viewed HERE.

Call for sectoral projects

A consortium of the Stefan Batory Foundation, the “Shipyard” Centre for Social Innovation and Research Foundation, and the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation is calling for sectoral project proposals in the Active Citizens Fund – National Programme, financed from the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021.

Grants can be applied for in the call according to the following conditions:

  • minimum grant: EUR 25 000,•maximum grant EUR 125 000,
  • implementation period: between 12 and 36 months,
  • co-financing – 10% of the overall project and capacity building expenses, a minimum of half of which must be in financial form.

Application timeline:

  • project outlines: between noon on 6 May 2020 and noon on 30 June 2020,
  • detailed projects: between noon on 27 August 2020 until noon on 26 October 2020.

Types of activities supported:

  • Provision of services and organizing other activities that support capacity building of CSOs and civic movements,
  • Monitoring of the law,
  • Advocating for rights and interests
  • Increasing public awareness of the role and importance of the civic sector and the need to become involved in supporting it,
  • Research, analyses, opinions, and expert analyses.

Applications can be submitted via the Online Application System

Fundacja Akademia Organizacji Obywatelskich (the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation) is responsible for the call.

Here you can find the Call for sectoral projects .

All the information and documents (in Polish) can be found HERE.

 

Matchmaking online meeting

The aim of the meeting is to facilitate networking  of Polish civil society organizations with their potential project partners from Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). We also want to deliver and discuss information on the current condition of the civic sector in Poland and in Donor States and to share recommended activities empowering the civic sector from each country.
The meeting will be also the opportunity to deliver information about Active Citizens Fund – National application submission rules (call for proposals for sectoral projects) and answer concerns/questions addressed at the meeting.

In order to fulfill expected aims we decided to divide the meeting into two parts (you can find the full meeting’s agenda below). First part is a webinar and consists of presentations and time for participants’ questions. We invited representatives of Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Polish CSOs who will share their knowledge and reflections on the most common and effective CSO’s capacity building and civic sector empowerment and development activities.

The second part of the meeting is going to be a moderated discussion which will be based on the participants’ preferences marked in the registration forms. We proposed 3 topics. Let’s see which of them are going to be most interesting for matchmaking meeting’s participants. That is why we would like to ask you to fill the registration form (link below) in order to help us prepare the matchmaking meeting as much based on your needs and choices as it is possible.

The working language of both parts is English.

After filling in the registration form you will receive more information about the meeting including the link to the online meeting platform. When it comes to the technical equipment there is only computer with loudspeakers/headphones needed.

Having applications exceeding our technical capacity we are going to decide on the participation based on the diversity of participants and on the quality of their applications.
In order to register please use this link:
https://crm.batory.org.pl/formularz-online/matchmaking-online-meeting

Having any questions or remarks, please do not hesitate to contact Anna Fedas from Batory Foundation: [email protected]

Matchmaking meeting’s agenda

Part 1 (recorded and available online after the meeting)
10-11.30 a.m. CET
1. Welcoming remarks (representatives of the Active Citizens Fund – National Program Operator consortium)
2. Presentation on the civic sector in Iceland – a representative of the Icelandic Human Right Centre (10 minutes)
Q&A
3. Presentation on the civic sector in Liechtenstein – a representative of the CSO from Liechtenstein (10 minutes)
Q&A
4. Presentation on the civic sector in Norway – a representative of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (10 minutes)
Q&A
5. Presentation on the civic sector in Poland – Lidia Kuczmierowska from the Academy of Civil Organizations Foundation (10 minutes)
Q&A
6. Presentation on the “Sectoral projects call for applications” – Andrzej Pietrucha from the Academy of Civil Organizations Foundation (10 minutes)
Q&A
short break
Part 2 (not recorder) in 2 working groups:
11.45 a.m.-1 p.m. CET
1. Discussion on the common challenges of the civic sector in each country and brainstorm on potential solutions.
Identifying potential barriers and supporters to one chosen activity responding to the challenges/solutions discussed before.
or/and*
2. Golden practices and failures (for those who want to share it with other participants).
or/and*
3. Presentation of the projects’ ideas (for those who want to share it with other participants).
Concluding remarks & goodbye (in one common session)

* depends on the topic(s) chosen by participants in the registration form

First call for thematic projects

A consortium of the Stefan Batory Foundation, the “Shipyard” Centre for Social Innovation and Research Foundation and the Academia of Civic Organisations Foundation issues the first call for thematic projects in the Active Citizens Fund – National, financed from the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 (EEA Grants).

The amount designated for grants for the first call is EUR 10 455 000.

The amounts allocated to particular support areas are:

  • Area 1: civic participation in public affairs and social activities: EUR 4 500 000
  • Area 2: protection of human rights and equal treatment: EUR 2 985 000
  • Area 3: empowerment of vulnerable groups: EUR 2 970 000.

The envisaged results of the Programme and particular areas for which support is provided are listed on the Programme website: https://aktywniobywatele.org.pl/en/about-the-fund/results/

There are two types of grants available in the call for proposals:

Small grants:

  • Minimum grant: EUR 5 000
  • Maximum grant: EUR 25 000
  • Project implementation period: between 8 and 24 months
  • Co-financing – 10% of project’s budget, may be entirely in the form of in-kind contribution (voluntary work).

Large grants:

  • Minimum grant: EUR 25 000
  • Maximum grant: 62 500 euro
  • Project implementation period: od 8 do 24 months
  • Co-financing – 10% of project’s budget, of which a minimum of 50% must be a financial contribution.

Applications can be submitted via the Online Application System available at wnioski.aktywniobywatele.org.pl

Deadlines for applications:

  • Project outlines can be submitted between 10 February 2020 (from 15.00 pm CET) and 15 April 2020 (up until 12.00 pm midday CEST)
  • Detailed projects can be submitted between 15 June 2020 (from 12.00 pm midday CEST) and 10 August 2020 (until 12.00 pm midday CEST)

All the information can be found here: Call for thematic projects

A webinar on the subject of the Active Citizens’ Fund – National Programme

Webinar agenda:

  1. Information on organisational matters concerning the Active Citizens’ Fund – National Programme (dates, amounts, procedures)
  2. Information on thematic areas for which funding is available
  3. Information about additional amounts of grants for capacity building and/or cooperation with Donor State organisations.

Chaired by:

Aleksandra Muzińska – Active Citizens’ Fund – National Programme financial  director, Stefan Batory Foundation

Maria Jagaciak – Area 1 coordinator in the Active Citizens’ Fund – National Programme, “Shipyard” Centre for Social Innovation and Research Foundation

Moderator

Piotr Henzler, Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation

Webinar devoted to bilateral cooperation

In the webinar there were experts with practical experience of bilateral projects:

– Prof. Marta Bivand Erdal – Director of Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
– Leiv Igor Devold – Polish-Norwegian film director, graduate of the Polish National Film School in Łódź
– Donata Honkowicz-Bukowska – Polish language teacher, educational and multicultural advisor in primary schools in Kópavogur, Iceland
– Alina Kula – co-founder and member of the Board of the Positive Change Foundation. In the previous edition of the Active Citizens Programme she implemented a project with an Icelandic organisation.

Working language of the webinarium was Polish.

 

We are looking for experts to evaluate applications

Experts must fulfil the following requirements:

  • they must have knowledge of a minimum of one of the thematic areas and be familiar with the activities of CSOs active in this area,
  • they must have the ability to apply their knowledge and experience when analysing and evaluating projects,
  • they must have an ability to formulate evaluations and opinions concerning applications clearly and communicatively in writing,
  • they must guarantee that projects are evaluated impartially,
  • they must be available at the times specified on the application form.

The experts’ task will be to evaluate project outlines and detailed projects, and attend three meetings during each of the calls, including two training sessions on the subject of application evaluation and one meeting of experts subsequent to evaluation of detailed projects.

Online  recruitment system

We will announce the results of the recruitment process by 2 March 2020. Prior to applying, please read in particular the information on the areas for financing for which applications can be submitted. The Operator reserves the right to hold meetings/interviews with applicants using new technology such as Skype. Successful applicants will be asked to sign an agreement for a specified task (umowa o dzieło) specifying the terms of employment and remuneration according to the rates given below:

Small grants (up to EUR 25 000): project outline – PLN 55 gross, detailed project – PLN 210 gross. Large grants (up to EUR 62 500): project outline – PLN 70 gross, detailed project – PLN 280 gross. These rates cover all costs related to evaluation, including attendance at meetings.

The experts we select will be required to sign a conflict of interest declaration/deklaracja bezstronności eksperta/ki, which is an appendix to the agreement.

If you have any questions regarding recruitment please contact:

regarding areas 2 and 3 – the Batory Foundation

tel. (22) 536 02 00

[email protected]

regarding area 1– the “Shipyard” Foundation
tel. (22) 100 55 94
[email protected]

Please be informed that for the sake of transparency and openness of evaluation of applications submitted in the Programme, when the calls for projects are completed, personal data of experts who evaluate applications in the Programme, being the first name, surname, and brief description of their occupation, will be posted on the Programme website on the grounds of legitimate interest of the Programme Operator (art. 6(1)(f) of the GDPR).

We will be touring Poland!

At the briefings, the organisers will talk about the main precepts of the Programme and the first call for projects, and the challenges related to areas for which funding is provided. They will present inspirational examples of activities and answer questions. The briefing will also include a workshop for attendees can work on preliminary ideas for projects. This is something to consider beforehand.

Opole – 5.02 – registration closed
Koszalin – 13.02 – registration closed
Białystok – 18.02 – registration closed
Zielona Góra – 20.02 –  registration closed
Rzeszów – 24.02 – registration closed
Ełk – 27.02 – registration closed
Olsztyn – 2.03 – REGISTRATION until 24.02
Kielce – 4.03 – REGISTRATION until 26.02

Important! Due to popularity, the venues selected for the meetings may change (locations in particular cities). Registered attendees will be notified.

Official launch of Active Citizens Fund – National programme

The programme, for which the budget is EUR 30 million in aid from EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), will provide support for social organisations such as associations, foundations, social cooperatives, and rural housewives’ circles working towards greater civic participation in public life, protection of human rights and equality, environmental protection, preventing climate change, and empowering vulnerable groups. The programme is run by a consortium of three organisations, the Stefan Batory Foundation (leader), the “Shipyard” Centre for Social Innovation and Research Foundation, and the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation.

– I would like to congratulate you for showing such determination and strength. It is due to that determination and strength, and the action taken to overcome a range of different obstacles, that the Fund is able to operate in a spirit of independence, with due regard for the values set out in the Polish Constitution, international treaties to which Poland is party, and European values – Adam Bodnar, Polish Commissioner for Human Rights, said at the official launch of the programme in Warsaw.

The Active Citizens Fund – National programme will provide support for projects put forward by organisations throughout Poland, but in particular activities of less experienced organisations based outside large conurbations and in areas where access to aid programmes is limited. Our aim is to offer the opportunity for funding to those most in need: groups that face discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, belief, gender, age, or sexual orientation, and vulnerable groups: people with disabilities, people facing homelessness, the elderly, and victims of violence … –Sylwia Sobiepan, programme director, said. – Young people are an important group in all areas in which support is given, Zofia Komorowska from the “Shipyard” Foundation added.

The programme will provide grants for awareness-raising activities, including grants to improve awareness of civic, equality and discrimination issues, for activation activities and activities related to voluntary work, and action and campaigns to improve awareness of climate change issues, combating prejudice, hate speech, and violence, projects to increase civic participation in decision-making, watchdog activities, intervention in matters concerning respect for human rights and the rule of law, measures to empower vulnerable groups and help them to become independent, measures towards integration in local communities, advocacy for better public policies and law and better policies for enforcing the law, and measures to improve the standards of public institutions and the services they provide.

– Providing support for development of social organisations will be an important element of the programme. Each organisation that applies for grants for a project will be entitled to a further grant to build the organisation, by investing in team-building, improving skills, raising funds for its activities, and improving management and communication etc.  – Lidka Kuczmierowska of the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation said.

A separate call will be held for grants for projects to support the civic sector, such as infrastructure funding (training, awareness-raising, consultancy), measures to increase public awareness about what organisations do, or for instance monitoring laws that affect their activities.

On the second day of the official launch, more than eighty representatives of organisations from Poland, Iceland, and Norway met in Warsaw to discuss ideas for collective projects.

Applications can be submitted in the first call from 3 February. Another call – for sectoral projects, will be held in April 2020. The programme team will be organising a series of meetings in the coming months in a number of regions in Poland, to provide information about the programme.

Broadcast of the general session of the conference

Presentation on the Programme 

Programme leaflet

Conference agenda

 

Conference to launch Active Citizens Fund – National programme

Day I (Wednesday, 8 January) will feature a presentation on the programme, areas in which support is provided, and rules for applying for grants.

On day II (Thursday, 9 January) we will organise networking workshops for Polish, Norwegian, and Icelandic organisations active in similar areas, seeking to perform partnership projects. The workshops will be held in English, and will help to forge new relationships, devise the basic principles for partnership projects, and discuss the rules for applying for funding.

application form

conference agenda

Applications must be sent by 31 December 2019. We will send confirmation of a place at the conference by 3 January 2020.

Due to the limited number of places available, please only submit an application for one person from each organisation. We recommend registering as soon as possible!
We appreciate that travel costs are truly an obstacle and might prevent attendance at the event. We do have certain (limited unfortunately) funds designated for covering travel and accommodation costs for attendees who do not live in Warsaw. If you are able to cover these costs by yourself please do so, to enable us to help people in need of such funding to come to the conference.

The Active Citizens Fund – National programme is one of eleven programmes run in Poland using funds from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (known as the Norwegian and EEA funds) 2014-2021 and one of two programmes designated to provide support for activities of social organisations. The aim of the Fund is to strengthen the civic society and active citizenship, and empower vulnerable groups. In its activities, the Fund subscribes to the universal values specified in the TEU: respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

The National Fund is operated by a consortium of three organisations, the Stefan Batory Foundation (leader), the “Shipyard” Centre for Social Innovation and Research Foundation, and the Academy of Civic Organizations Foundation.

Active Citizens Fund – National programme consultations completed

The initial conclusions reached in the consultations were represented at the main consultation session – on 17 January in Warsaw. The session was attended by approximately 70 people from various social organisations, as well as CSOs and public authorities. Following the main event, thematic meetings were also held on a smaller scale for organisations active in the areas for which the Fund provides funding. Currently, together with the FMO in Brussels, which manages EEA programmes for civic societies in 20 countries, we are making preparations to launch the Fund in Poland.

Active Citizens Fund – National programme consultations begin

We would be very glad to hear your views, comments, and suggestions on the following:
• how the Fund can address challenges and needs of the civic society in Poland,
• the kind of measures it should support to achieve the envisaged results,
• what instruments can be added to the current funding instruments.
The viewpoints collected will help us to determine the final form of the Fund.

It is possible to take part in the consultations by:
• filling in an online questionnaire, which is available until 8 January, by clicking here www.konsultacje.aktywniobywatele.org.pl
• by applying to take part in the main consultation session, to be held on 17 January 2019 in Warsaw (the participants will be selected from among those who fill in section 1 of the online questionnaire)
• by applying to attend a thematic meeting concerning particular aspects of the fund or as part of a group of organisations that conduct similar activities – we will be accepting applications from organisations interested in consultations in this form until 10 January 2019.

We are interested in the views of as diverse a range of groups and communities as possible. We would like to hear from representatives of social organisations (active in various parts of Poland and in various thematic areas, and with various worldviews) but also from a broader group of people connected to them – activists operating in informal groups, representatives of CSOs, representatives of public authorities, and representatives of the academic world and media who work with the organisations.

Detailed information about the Fund’s main objectives and the document around which discussions will be centred can be found here: www.konsultacje.aktywniobywatele.org.pl.

Results of the first call for thematic projects

Increased citizen participation in civic activities

53 small grants for a total of  EUR 1 334 826

47 large grants for a total of EUR 3 131 431

 Increased support for human rights and antidiscrimination practices

25 small grants for a total of EUR 655 631

33 large grants for a total of EUR 2 316 742

 Increased empowerment of vulnerable groups

34 small grants for a total of EUR 870 710

31 large grants for a total of EUR 2 068 706

All Applicants have access to the assessment sheets of their applications after connecting the Application System to the Internet.

HERE are the details of the results presented according to supported areas (in small and large grants).

Operators of the Active Citizens Fund – National programme now known

The consortium’s proposal was awarded the highest score in an open call announced on behalf of the Donor States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, by the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels, which manages EEA civic society programmes.

The Active Citizens Fund is one of eleven programmes run in Poland using funds from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism from 2019 until 2024, and one of two programmes intended solely for social organisations. It has a budget of EUR 30 million.

The Active Citizens Fund is intended to provide funding and content-related support for activities conducted by social organisations in areas established at EU level and in international treaties by the Donor States, which are Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. These areas are:
•    democracy, active citizenship, good governance and transparency;
•    human rights and equality through combating and prevention of discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity;
•    social justice and inclusion of marginalised groups;
•    gender equality and countering gender-based violence;
•    the environment and climate change.

One major area of focus of the Fund will be providing institutional support for social organisations and creating potential for the civic society to develop.
Particular attention will be paid to reaching less experienced organisations based outside large conurbations and in areas where access to grant programmes, training opportunities, and infrastructure support is limited. Young people are a major target group for the Fund.

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