A running call No. 5 for bilateral cooperation project proposals

This grant opportunity under the CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES program aims to enhance cooperation between Lithuanian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and similar entities in other EU member states, focusing on advocacy related to EU values. Eligible applicants must be legally registered NGOs based in Lithuania for at least one year prior to December 16, 2024, and must operate independently from government and political entities. Organizations such as religious institutions or trade unions are excluded from eligibility. Applicants need a partner NGO from another EU member state, who must have at least two years of advocacy experience.

The program provides grants of up to €5,000 per project, with a total budget of €100,000 allocated to fund approximately 20 projects. This funding is intended for projects that aim to strengthen organizational capacities, enhance advocacy skills, and promote civic participation in line with EU values, including equality and minority rights.

The application process is a rolling call, allowing submissions from December 17, 2025, to January 31, 2027. Applicants must undergo administrative eligibility checks and assessment by independent experts, with a final decision made by a Selection Committee. Funding is released in two installments: 80% upon grant agreement and 20% after project completion reports are approved.

The objectives of this program include fostering new and enhanced cross-border partnerships, improving public understanding of EU values, and increasing mutual learning among participating organizations. This initiative underscores the EU's commitment to bolstering civil society engagement and promoting advocacy aligned with its foundational values. Additional information sessions about the call will be held to assist potential applicants.

The call aims to establish, develop, and improve cooperation between Lithuanian NGOs and advocacy-focused civil society organisations in other EU member states. It seeks to strengthen organisational capacities and promote collaboration in the field of advocacy, while upholding EU values. The expected impact includes new and strengthened cross-border partnerships, enhanced advocacy skills, increased mutual learning, and improved public understanding of EU values, including equality and the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

Applications can be submitted in a single-stage procedure at any time starting on the date of call publication until January 31, 2027. All proposals first undergo administrative eligibility checks carried out by the Open Lithuania Foundation (OLF). Eligible applications are then assessed by two independent experts according to predefined quality criteria. If their scores differ by more than 30 points, a third expert is appointed. Following expert assessments, the two closest-scoring experts agree on a consolidated evaluation. The Selection Committee reviews the expert conclusions, may propose budget adjustments, and approves the list of projects recommended for funding. Applications that fail to reach the minimum required scores or are not in compliance with EU values are excluded from further consideration.

A total of 20 projects will be awarded grants of up to EUR 5,000 each within the maximum threshold allowed for financial support to third parties. Projects may last up to 6 months and will receive lump-sum funding paid in two installments: 80% upon signing the grant agreement and 20% after the approval of final project reports.

The opening date was December 17, 2025. The deadline date is February 1, 2027, at 00:59 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is 6 months. The total funding available is EUR 100,000.00. The full name of the EU funded project is Support for EU values through Civic Participation. The grant agreement number is 101187383. The topic is CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES - Call for proposals for civil society organisations active on protecting and promoting Union values: call to intermediaries (giving financial support to third parties).

Eligibility requirements for applicants:
The applicant is a legal entity registered in the Republic of Lithuania for at least one year prior to the announcement of the rolling call, i.e., no later than 16 December 2024.
The applicant carries out activities in Lithuania.
The applicant is an NGO established and operating in the Republic of Lithuania that meets the following definition “A non-profit voluntary organisation established as a legal entity, having a non-commercial purpose, independent of local, regional, and central government, public entities, political parties, and commercial organisations.” Religious institutions, trade unions, and political parties are not considered NGOs (definition in line with Article 2.3 of the Law on the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations).
The applicant’s activities do not conflict with EU values and actively contribute (or seek to contribute) to the promotion of EU values.
The applicant has submitted mandatory financial and annual activity reports to the National Center of Registers for the last two years (2023 and 2024), or financial and annual activity reports from the start of its activities if it has been operating for less than three years. Applicants applying after 1 June 2026 must have submitted mandatory financial and annual activity reports for 2024 and 2025.
The Open Lithuania Foundation is not a shareholder of the applicant.
NGOs already participating in the VERTA! Programme (Phase II, 2025–2027) are eligible only if the total cumulative budget of all their applications under the programme, including the amount requested in this call, does not exceed EUR 60,000.
The applicant has not implemented any other bilateral cooperation project under the VERTA! Programme financed from the funds of this call.

Eligibility requirements for partners:
The partner must be a non-governmental organization established and operating as a legal entity in one of the European Union Member States, excluding Lithuania.
The partner conducts advocacy activities in the field of EU values and has at least two years of advocacy experience.
Prior to submitting the application, the applicant and the partner have concluded and signed a letter of intent to cooperate or another type of partnership agreement defining the division of responsibilities.

Further information, including a detailed description of the call procedure and the full eligibility criteria can be found here (in Lithuanian): Kvietimas dvišalio bendradarbiavimo projektams finansuoti - ALF

Online information seminars about this call will be held on January 21, 2026 and in September, 2026.

In summary, this opportunity is a call for proposals aimed at fostering collaboration between Lithuanian NGOs and civil society organizations in other EU member states that are focused on advocacy. The goal is to strengthen these organizations, promote advocacy, and uphold EU values. The funding is provided through the CERV program, specifically targeting civil society organizations that protect and promote Union values. Lithuanian NGOs can apply for grants of up to 5,000 EUR to implement projects lasting up to 6 months in partnership with an NGO from another EU member state. The application process involves a single stage submission, followed by eligibility checks, expert evaluations, and a final decision by a selection committee. The call emphasizes the importance of EU values, cross-border partnerships, and the promotion of civic participation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) that are legal entities registered in the Republic of Lithuania for at least one year prior to December 16, 2024, carry out activities in Lithuania, are independent of government, public entities, political parties, and commercial organizations, and whose activities do not conflict with EU values. Religious institutions, trade unions, and political parties are explicitly excluded. NGOs already participating in the VERTA! Programme (Phase II, 2025–2027) are eligible only if the total cumulative budget of all their applications under the programme, including the amount requested in this call, does not exceed EUR 60,000. The applicant must have submitted mandatory financial and annual activity reports to the National Center of Registers for the last two years (2023 and 2024), or financial and annual activity reports from the start of its activities if it has been operating for less than three years. Applicants applying after 1 June 2026 must have submitted mandatory financial and annual activity reports for 2024 and 2025. The Open Lithuania Foundation cannot be a shareholder of the applicant. The applicant must not have implemented any other bilateral cooperation project under the VERTA! Programme financed from the funds of this call.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding, providing financial support to third parties.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The applicant must be a Lithuanian NGO partnering with a non-governmental organization from another EU Member State.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary applicant must be from Lithuania. Partner organizations must be from other EU Member States, excluding Lithuania.

Target Sector: The target sector is civil society, specifically organizations active in protecting and promoting EU values, advocacy, civic participation, and the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

Mentioned Countries: Lithuania, other EU Member States (excluding Lithuania).

Project Stage: The project stage is not explicitly defined, but it appears to target development and/or improvement of cooperation, strengthening organizational capacities, and promotion of collaboration in advocacy.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is up to EUR 5,000 per project. A total of 20 projects will be funded, with a total funding available of EUR 100,000.

Application Type: The application type is a rolling call, with a single-stage procedure.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump-sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage. Proposals undergo administrative eligibility checks by the Open Lithuania Foundation (OLF), followed by assessment by two independent experts. A third expert is appointed if the initial scores differ significantly. The Selection Committee reviews the expert conclusions, may propose budget adjustments, and approves the list of projects recommended for funding.

Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated. With 20 projects being funded and the call being open for a considerable time, the success rate is likely to be between 10 to 39%, but this is speculative without knowing the number of applications.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES program, specifically designed to support EU values through civic participation. It aims to foster collaboration between Lithuanian NGOs and advocacy-focused civil society organizations in other EU member states. The call is open to Lithuanian NGOs that meet specific eligibility criteria, including registration, operational status, independence, and alignment with EU values. These NGOs must partner with similar organizations in other EU member states (excluding Lithuania) that have experience in advocacy. The selected projects will receive grants of up to EUR 5,000 each, with a total of 20 projects being funded. The projects should focus on strengthening organizational capacities, promoting collaboration in advocacy, and improving public understanding of EU values, including equality and the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The application process is a single-stage procedure with a rolling deadline until January 31, 2027. The Open Lithuania Foundation (OLF) manages the administrative checks and expert assessments. The funding is provided as a lump sum, paid in two installments. The call aims to create new and strengthened cross-border partnerships, enhance advocacy skills, and increase mutual learning among participating organizations.