Aspektus+ Regional Funding Program: Call 1) Hatókör and Call 2) Helyben ható

The Aspektus+ Regional Funding Program is designed to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in rural Hungary, focusing on strengthening their ability to promote democracy and democratic values. It consists of two sub-programs: Hatókör and Helyben ható, with a total funding pool of EUR 1,680,000.

Eligible applicants for the Hatókör sub-program must be formal, independent, non-profit organizations operating in Hungary for at least three years, with a total budget of over HUF 25 million in the last three years. The Helyben ható sub-program targets similar organizations but restricts eligibility to those in four specified regions: South Trans-Danubia, South Plains, North Plains, and North Hungary.

The funding type provided is core grants, with Hatókör offering a total of EUR 60,000 over three years, distributed annually at EUR 20,000. The Helyben ható sub-program offers tiered grants that increase annually, starting with EUR 6,000 in the first year, EUR 9,000 in the second year, and culminating in EUR 15,000 in the third year, totaling EUR 30,000.

Both sub-programs favor single applicants rather than requiring consortium collaborations. The geographic focus is solely on Hungary, specifically excluding Budapest, to assist organizations outside of the capital. The projects should target established CSOs looking to scale operations, indicating that they are at a development or validation stage.

The application process is competitive, consisting of two stages. The first stage involves an eligibility check and the gathering of detailed project information. The second stage requires shortlisted applicants, limited to a maximum of 32 for Hatókör, to present comprehensive project plans. The selection is carried out by a 12-member evaluation committee.

The grants can be used for both organizational development goals and operational costs. Notably, there is no co-funding requirement, which eases access for potential applicants. The program aims to create supportive networks between urban and rural communities and emphasize sustainable development.

The application timeline opens on June 2, 2025, with cut-off dates of August 1, 2025, and October 15, 2025. The expected project duration is 36 months, and the initiative aligns with the broader EU agenda of supporting active civil society engagement.

In summary, the Aspektus+ Regional Funding Program, through its two distinct calls, aims to empower rural NGOs in Hungary, promoting their independence, sustainability, and active participation in democratic processes within their communities.

The Aspektus+ Regional Funding Program has two calls: Hatókör and Helyben ható. This program is designed to build capacity for rural NGOs in Hungary. The total funding available is 1,680,000.00 EUR. The project acronym is CLD, and the full name of the EU funded project is Communities for Local Democracy. The grant agreement number is 101187153. 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).

General information:
The opening date is 02 June 2025. The deadline model is multiple cut-off. The deadline dates are 01 August 2025 12:00 (Brussels time) and 15 October 2025 12:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is 36 months.

Hatókör Sub-program:
This sub-program is for formal, independent, non-profit civil society organizations established and operating in Hungary. The program is open to organizations that have been operating for at least three years, have a total budget of more than HUF 25 million over the last three years, and are independent of state and local government institutions. The overall aim is to support CSOs working in the countryside in Hungary (outside of the capital) to become more independent, stable, and active agents of democracy and democratic values. The goal is to help established CSOs take the next step to reach the next level of functioning. The grant aims to provide financial and professional support to intermediate CSOs, which could become potential new civil centers in the countryside, strengthening the cooperation and work of existing organizations with different skills/activities at the regional level. This grant is a core grant with a fixed amount of EUR 60,000. It can be used for project goals (organizational development goals) and operational costs. The grant will be used in three annual phases in the form of a lump sum. Depending on the yearly evaluation and monitoring, the next year’s amount could be decreased. The selection process consists of two stages. In the first round, more detailed information on the organization will be sought. In the second round, applicants (maximum 32 short listed from the first stage) will present their ideas for organizational development and capacity building. The final decision will be made by an evaluation committee consisting of 12 members: 4 external experts and 2 team members from each Aspect Group organization.

Helyben ható Sub-program:
This sub-program is for formal, independent, non-profit civil society organizations established and operating in the 4 core regions of Aspect Group (South Trans-Danubia, South Plains, North Plains, North Hungary). The program seeks to support established organizations that are engaged to take a next step towards independent, planned operations. The overall aim is to support CSOs working in the countryside in Hungary (outside of the capital) to become more independent, stable, and active agents of democracy and democratic values. The form of the grant is a lump sum. It can be used mainly to cover the costs of capacity development and local community building programs. The grant amount for the 36-month program increases annually (in the first year fixed 6000 EUR, second year fixed 9000 EUR, third year fixed 15000 EUR), and the activities will be redesigned (if needed) after consultation. Helyben ható is a two-stage call. The first round is about eligibility, the organization, and their project idea. The short-listed organizations in the second stage must present a three-year project plan and elaborate in detail the goals, target group, program, activities, and budget plan. The final decision will be made by an evaluation committee consisting of 12 members: 4 external experts and 2 team members from each Aspect Group organization.

To read the full Call for Proposal and apply, visit the website of the Aspect Group: palyazat.aspektus.hu.

In summary, the Aspektus+ Regional Funding Program offers two distinct sub-programs, Hatókör and Helyben ható, aimed at bolstering the capabilities and independence of civil society organizations (CSOs) operating in rural Hungary. Both sub-programs share the overarching goal of fostering democracy and democratic values within these communities. Hatókör provides a fixed grant of EUR 60,000 to established CSOs across Hungary, focusing on organizational development and operational costs, with funding disbursed in annual lump sums subject to performance evaluations. Eligibility requires at least three years of operation, a minimum budget of HUF 25 million over the past three years, and independence from governmental bodies. Helyben ható, on the other hand, targets CSOs within specific regions of Hungary, offering a tiered funding structure that increases annually, starting at EUR 6,000 and culminating in EUR 15,000 in the third year, primarily to support capacity development and local community building initiatives. Both programs employ a two-stage application process, with shortlisted applicants presenting detailed project plans for final evaluation by a committee of experts. The Aspektus+ program, under the umbrella of Communities for Local Democracy, seeks to empower rural NGOs, enabling them to become more effective agents of change and contribute to the strengthening of civil society in Hungary.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are formal, independent, non-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) established and operating in Hungary. For the "Hatókör" sub-program, organizations must have been operating for at least three years, have a total budget of more than HUF 25 million over the last three years, and be independent of state and local government institutions.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a core grant with a fixed amount or a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The information provided does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if single applicants are preferred. However, the description of the "Hatókör" program mentions strengthening cooperation and work of existing organizations with different skills/activities at the regional level, which suggests that collaborative projects might be viewed favorably.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to Hungary, specifically CSOs working in the countryside (outside of the capital). The "Helyben ható" sub-program is further restricted to organizations operating in the 4 core regions of Aspect Group: South Trans-Danubia, South Plains, North Plains, and North Hungary.

Target Sector: The program targets the civil society sector, focusing on supporting rural NGOs to become more independent, stable, and active agents of democracy and democratic values. It also aims to strengthen cooperation and work of existing organizations with different skills/activities at the regional level.

Mentioned Countries: Hungary

Project Stage: The program targets established CSOs that are looking to take the next step in their development and reach the next level of functioning. This suggests that the projects should be at the development or validation stage, rather than at the initial idea or research stage.

Funding Amount: For the "Hatókör" sub-program, the grant is a fixed amount of EUR 60,000, distributed in three annual phases as a lump sum. For the "Helyben ható" sub-program, the grant amount increases annually: EUR 6,000 in the first year, EUR 9,000 in the second year, and EUR 15,000 in the third year. The total funding available for the entire program is EUR 1,680,000.00.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with multiple cut-off dates.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants. The grants can be used for project goals (organizational development goals) and for operational costs. The "Helyben ható" grant is mainly to cover the costs of capacity development and local community building programs.

Application Stages: Both the "Hatókör" and "Helyben ható" sub-programs have a two-stage application process. In the first stage, the focus is on eligibility and gathering detailed information about the organization and their project idea. In the second stage, shortlisted applicants (maximum 32 for "Hatókör") present their ideas for organizational development and capacity building or a three-year project plan with detailed goals, target group, program, activities, and budget plan.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. However, the fact that a maximum of 32 applicants will be shortlisted from the first stage for the "Hatókör" program suggests that the initial selection process is competitive.

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

Summary:

The Aspektus+ Regional Funding Program is a four-year capacity building program for rural NGOs in Hungary. It consists of two sub-programs: "Hatókör" and "Helyben ható". The program aims to support CSOs working in the countryside of Hungary (outside of the capital) to become more independent, stable, and active agents of democracy and democratic values.

The "Hatókör" sub-program provides a fixed grant of EUR 60,000 to established, independent, non-profit civil society organizations operating in Hungary, with a budget of more than HUF 25 million over the last three years. The grant can be used for organizational development goals and operational costs, distributed in three annual lump sums. The selection process involves two stages: an initial assessment of the organization and a second stage where shortlisted applicants present their ideas for organizational development and capacity building.

The "Helyben ható" sub-program targets formal, independent, non-profit civil society organizations established and operating in the 4 core regions of Aspect Group (South Trans-Danubia, South Plains, North Plains, North Hungary). The grant is a lump sum that increases annually (EUR 6,000 in the first year, EUR 9,000 in the second year, and EUR 15,000 in the third year) and is intended to cover the costs of capacity development and local community building programs. The application process also involves two stages: an eligibility check and project idea assessment, followed by a detailed three-year project plan presentation for shortlisted organizations.

The total funding available for the program is EUR 1,680,000.00. The opening date for submissions is June 2, 2025, with multiple cut-off dates, including August 1, 2025, and October 15, 2025. The expected duration of participation is 36 months. The program falls under the CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES topic, which focuses on supporting civil society organizations active in protecting and promoting Union values.