Is the Eastern Partnership Fellowship 2026 fully funded?
Yes — each Fellow receives approximately €5,000 plus mentoring and training support.
Can I apply if I live outside my home country?
Yes — your current location does not matter.
Can I submit more than one idea?
No — one application per Call.
What happens if I am not selected?
You may apply again in Spring 2026, Winter 2026, or Spring 2027.
Do I need an organisation to apply?
No — individuals can apply independently.
Does my project need to be digital?
Not necessarily — you can apply under either track.
Other Opportunities
Explore more fully funded international opportunities on:
https://oppotify.com
The Eastern Partnership Fellowship 2026 is an EU-funded, fully supported professional development programme designed to empower civil society leaders, activists, innovators, digital specialists, and community organisers across the Eastern Partnership region. This prestigious Fellowship offers funding, mentoring, international training, and access to a thriving regional network of over 230 Fellows.
Applications for the first Call of the 2026 cycle are now open, with Concept Notes due by 30 December 2025.
Key Dates & Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme Name | Eastern Partnership Civil Society Fellowship |
| Focus Keyword | Eastern Partnership Fellowship 2026 |
| Funding Amount | Approx. €5,000 per Fellow |
| Eligibility | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine |
| Application Method | Online |
| Deadline for Concept Note | 30 December 2025 |
| Application Rounds | Winter 2025 → Spring 2026 → Winter 2026 → Spring 2027 |
| Special Theme | Civil Society Resilience |
| Tracks | Civic Digital Fellowship / Community Engagement Fellowship |
| Programme Start | Around April 2026 |
| Official Website | https://eapcivilsociety.eu |
Table of Contents
Overview
The Eastern Partnership Fellowship 2026 supports innovative, impactful, and community-driven ideas that strengthen civil society, promote accountability, advance digital transformation, and build resilience across the EaP region. This EU-funded initiative is designed to help emerging and established civil society actors turn their ideas into real, measurable projects.
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are welcome to apply — regardless of where they currently reside.
This Call places a special emphasis on the theme of Civil Society Resilience, offering bonus points to applicants who propose solutions that improve governance, digital safety, participation, inclusion, or advocacy capacity.
Who Can Apply?
You are eligible if you are:
- A citizen of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, or Ukraine
- Active in civil society, community work, digital activism, transparency initiatives, youth engagement, or policy advocacy
- Over 18 years old
- Able to submit an innovative Concept Note aligned with the programme’s priorities
There is no age limit, no education requirement, and you may apply from any country, even if you currently live abroad.
You may submit only one application per Call, but you may re-apply in any future Call if not selected.
Fellowship Tracks
Two pathways are available under the Eastern Partnership Fellowship 2026:
1. Civic Digital Fellowship
Ideal for applicants working on:
- Digital tools
- Open data
- Data quality
- E-services
- Transparency platforms
- Digital inclusion
- Civic tech innovations
2. Community Engagement Fellowship
Best suited for:
- Local evidence and community research
- Public service monitoring
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Advocacy, policy reform, and social justice
- Youth and community empowerment
- Participatory decision-making
Funding & Benefits
Selected Fellows receive a comprehensive package of support designed to help their ideas grow:
- Funding of approx. €5,000 to implement the proposed project
- Personal mentoring from experienced regional experts
- Training and advanced learning courses
- Access to international events
- Membership in a 230+ Fellow regional network
- Support in visibility, communication, and impact measurement
The Fellowship is not only financial support — it is a long-term investment in your skills, your idea, and your leadership.
What Kind of Projects Are Eligible?
The Eastern Partnership Fellowship 2026 welcomes strong, innovative, scalable ideas in fields such as:
- Resilient, sustainable, and integrated economy
- Accountability, rule of law, transparency, and public sector monitoring
- Environment, climate resilience, and green transition
- Digitalisation, data integrity, and digital rights
- Participatory governance and social justice
Your idea should be achievable within the Fellowship’s timeframe and budget, and have clear impact on communities or systems.
Special Theme: Civil Society Resilience
This Call prioritises projects that strengthen civil society’s ability to operate under pressure, adapt, collaborate, and remain impactful.
You will receive extra evaluation points if your project focuses on:
- Stronger organisational governance
- Digital security and digital readiness
- Activism and public participation
- Community inclusion and empowerment
- Cross-country civil society cooperation
- Peer support networks
Application Process (2 Stages)
The Fellowship uses a two-stage selection process:
Stage 1 — Concept Note Submission
Deadline: 30 December 2025
Submit your idea following the official guidelines. Only shortlisted applicants proceed.
Stage 2 — Full Application
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a detailed proposal.
Final selections are expected early 2026.
Selected projects are expected to begin implementation in April 2026.
Key Dates
- 26 November 2025 — Official Webinar (registration required)
- 30 December 2025 — Deadline for Concept Note
- Spring 2026 — Next Call for Applications
- Winter 2026 — Additional Call
- Spring 2027 — Final Call of the cycle
You may apply again in any of the future Calls if not selected.
Links & Resources
- All details and the application link are here: https://eapcivilsociety.eu/…/1st-2026-fellowship-call.html
- Fellows’ Stories: https://eapcivilsociety.eu/eap-fellows-stories
- Fellows Portal: https://fellows.eapcivilsociety.eu
