Core Programmatic Support Grants 2026: 7 Powerful Reasons Balkan CSOs Should Apply Now

Open Call for Applications: Core Programmatic Support Grants 2026 (EFB)

Key Dates & Details

The Core Programmatic Support Grants 2026 provide essential funding to civil society organizations across the Western Balkans that are working to strengthen trust, cooperation, dialogue, solidarity, and social cohesion.

Unlike traditional project grants, this support is designed to sustain and strengthen what organizations already do well — their people, systems, programs, and community presence. The European Fund for the Balkans developed the Common Ground Program (CGP) to invest in long-term, patient bridge-building work across a region where political division and polarization remain persistent challenges.

The grant is therefore highly flexible: it empowers organizations to focus on structural health, rather than creating new activities just to fit donor requirements.

Who Should Apply?

This call is ideal for:

• Civil society organizations focused on dialogue, trust-building, and social cohesion
• Organizations with ongoing community-based programmes
• Groups strengthening cooperation across ethnic, political, or social divides
• CSOs promoting democratic resilience and inclusive civic space
• Grassroots initiatives (through coalition with a registered CSO)
• Organizations needing core support to sustain existing work

Applicants must demonstrate a proven commitment to bridge-building efforts through activities completed in the last 18–24 months.

What the Grant Supports

Funding may be used for (examples include but are not limited to):

✔ Staff

• Key personnel essential to daily operations
• Programme coordination
• Financial or administrative staff

✔ Administration

• Office rent, utilities
• Digital tools, subscriptions, software
• Equipment necessary for organizational functioning

✔ Activities

• Training and capacity building
• Communications and outreach
• Travel and logistics
• Expert consultations
• Workshops or strategic meetings

✔ Organizational Strengthening

• Governance improvements
• Strategy development
• Safeguarding and protection systems
• Inclusion and equity processes

✔ Contingency

• Up to 5% for unforeseen needs

This support is flexible and allows organizations to remain stable, professional, and responsive.

What This Grant Is NOT

❌ Not a project grant
❌ Not for new standalone initiatives
❌ Not tied to newly created activities
❌ Not for re-granting outside coalition structures

The focus is entirely on core needs and long-term resilience.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered non-profit CSOs in one of the eligible Western Balkan states
• Provide three concrete examples from the last 18–24 months demonstrating work in dialogue, trust-building, or cohesion
• Submit required financial documentation, including last two years’ reports
• Be debt-free (less than 1.5x of cash on hand) as confirmed by tax authorities
• Apply in English

Coalitions

Unregistered groups can apply only through a registered lead CSO, with a signed Memorandum of Understanding outlining roles and financial responsibilities.

What You Need to Submit

1. Completed Application Form

(download link provided in Key Dates)

2. Mission-aligned examples

Three real cases showing your work on dialogue and cooperation.

3. Due diligence documentation

• Financial forecast
• Debt-free confirmation
• Financial reports (2 years)
• Registration documents and statutes
• Board/staff list
• For coalitions: MoU(s)

4. Budget

Using the CGP budget template
(Staff / Administration / Activities / Contingency).

Application Process

Step 1 — Download Application Form

📄 https://www.balkanfund.org/download/CGP-Application-Form-2025.pdf

Step 2 — Prepare Required Documents

Combine into required formats (PDF).

Step 3 — Email Submission

📩 [email protected]
Subject line: Core Programmatic Support Grant 2026

Step 4 — Confirmation

You will receive an email within 72 hours confirming receipt.

Step 5 — Evaluation

Applications are assessed on:

• Strategic fit with CGP goals (30%)
• Demonstrated dialogue & cooperation work (35%)
• Feasibility & proportionality of budget (25%)
• Ethics & organizational resilience (10%)

Step 6 — Notification

Results will be announced in early 2026.

Financial and Reporting Requirements

During the Grant

• 80% disbursed upon signing contract
• Mid-term progress report (narrative + financial)
• 20% disbursed upon approval

After Grant Completion

• Final narrative report
• Final financial report
• Possible short learning/reflection note

Key Dates

• Call Opens: 17 November 2025
• Deadline: 19 December 2025 (17:00 CET)
• Confirmations: Within 72 hours
• Notification: Early 2026
• Grant Duration: 12 months

For more grants, scholarships and fellowships for NGOs and young professionals, visit:
👉 https://oppotify.com

https://www.balkanfund.org/open-call-for-applications-and-faq