In an overall vision of enhanced regional cooperation, good neighbourly relations and reconciliation, the European Union has launched the Call for Proposals in the framework of the EU Civil Society Facility and Media Programme in favour of the Western Balkans and Turkey for 2021-2023 (CSF). The overall objective of the CSF is to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU integration and approximation process, with a focus on the key role of the civil society and the media. In line with the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the enlargement region 2021-2027, the Call for Proposals is structured around three main priority areas:

  1. A conducive environment for civil society: Creating an environment that enables civil society organizations to effectively carry out their activities.
  2. Cooperation and partnership: Strengthening cooperation between CSOs and public institutions in order to promote a more coherent society.
  3. Building the CSO capacities: Reinforced CSO capacity and resilience to carry out their activities effectively.

Considering the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III) and the Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU external action, strategic attention to gender equality and youth issues is encouraged throughout the thematic areas of the Call. The global objective of this Call for Proposal is to improve regional cooperation, good neighbourly relations and reconciliation, to strengthen participatory democracies and the EU approximation process in the Western Balkans and Turkey. The specific objectives include:

  1. Strengthened CSO capacities: Providing civil society with more opportunities to participate in policy-making and decision-making in various thematic areas, including those covered by the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.
  2. Media professionalization: Development of the professional capacities of journalists, media outlets and institutions to exercise the right to freedom of expression, access to information and to promote media pluralism.
  3. Social inclusion: Promotion of increased equality, inclusion and active participation of Roma in the Western Balkans and Turkey.

The Call includes 12 specific areas:

  1. Good governance and economic development
  2. Reconciliation
  3. Gender Equality
  4. LGBTIQ Equality
  5. Roma Inclusion
  6. Disability Inclusion
  7. CSO regional engagement and contribution of CSOs in the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans
  8. Digital Transition
  9. CSO enabling environment and civic participation
  10. Fostering Jewish Life and Jewish Cultural Heritage
  11. Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression
  12. EU Award for Roma Integration

The overall indicative amount made available under this Call for Proposals is EUR 14,400,000, representing a significant investment in civil society and media initiatives in the region. The Call is open until December 29, 2023, and interested parties can visit this page for more details.

To familiarize potential applicants with the EU Call, TACSO 3 will organize on Thursday, November 23 the following sessions:

  • Online info session on the Call for Proposals from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. – the registration link is here;
  • As well as a webinar to support the submission of project proposals on gender equality and youth integration from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. – the registration link is here.

EU support to civil society and media aims to build stronger democracies, improve the rule of law, accountability and achievement of inclusive and sustainable economic and social