Civil Society, Media, Human Rights and Democracy programmes for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2025-2026

The European Union is offering €5.7 million in action grants (€6.9 million package including election integrity support) to strengthen civil society, independent media, human rights and democratic participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Projects must run between 36 and 48 months and the submission deadline is 20 May 2026 at 15:00 UTC via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The call is structured in five lots covering media freedom, rule of law and anti-corruption, reconciliation through sport and culture, a civil society resource centre, and human rights and democratic values. Eligible applicants include civil society organisations, independent media and other entities legally registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina or international organisations with a presence in the country; full guidelines and application annexes are available on the portal.

What it funds

Scope

Action grants to support civil society, independent media, human rights work and democratic governance initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the 2025-2026 period.

Total budget:€5,700,000 (one call covering 2025-2026).

Who can apply:Eligible applicants typically include civil society organisations, non-profit and non-governmental organisations, media organisations, human rights defenders, international organisations and public bodies able to implement action grants (consortia encouraged where relevant).

1. 1Grant type: Action grants
2. 2Geographical focus: Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. 3Call published: 16/02/2026
4. 4Deadline for submission: 20/05/2026 (15:00:53 UTC)

Applications and full documentation (guidelines, application forms, annexes and standard contract) are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Opportunity page ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Guidelines for applicants and all annexes were published on 16 February 2026 and can be downloaded from the opportunity page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Civil Society, Media, Human Rights and Democracy programmes for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2025-2026 is an open call for Action Grants under EuropeAid with reference EuropeAid. The call targets activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and provides a total budget of €5,700,000. It was published on 16 February 2026, last updated on 05 March 2026, and has a submission deadline of 20 May 2026 at 15:00:53 UTC. The opportunity is available on the EU Funding and Tenders portal, where applicants can access all official documents and submit applications.

Official portal entry and submission:EU Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page

Key Facts

Documents and Templates Provided by the Contracting Authority

The following official documents are listed for this call. Applicants should download and follow the latest versions available on the portal. All documents dated 16 February 2026 in English unless otherwise noted.

• Guidelines for grant applicant (open)
• Annex A1. Grant Application form – Concept note
• Annex A2. Grant Application form – Full Application
• Annex B – Budget
• Annex C – Logical framework
• Annex D – Identification Form (public law body)
• Annex D – Identification Form (private or public law body with legal form)
• Annex D – Identification Form (natural person)
• Annex F – PADOR offline registration form
• Annex G – Standard Grant Contract
• Annex H – Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria
• Annex J – Information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts
• Annex K – Clarifications on financing not linked to costs
• Annex L – Self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H (sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment)
• Appendix – Derogations international organisation
• e-Calls PADOR privacy statement

Document roles and typical content:The Guidelines for grant applicant define eligibility, evaluation criteria, financial provisions, and application instructions. Annex A1 (Concept note) is used for the first-stage proposal outlining relevance, objectives, expected results, target groups/beneficiaries, and high-level approach. Annex A2 (Full Application) is used upon invitation and expands into detailed methodology, work plan, implementation arrangements, risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Annex B (Budget) captures the detailed cost breakdown per budget heading and cost category. Annex C (Logical framework) sets the intervention logic with indicators, baselines, targets, means of verification, and assumptions. Annex D (Identification Forms) collect legal and administrative details depending on the legal nature of the applicant or co-applicant. Annex F supports PADOR registration where required. Annex G provides the Standard Grant Contract model terms. Annex H is a mandatory declaration regarding exclusion and selection criteria. Annex J explains applicable tax treatment. Annex K clarifies modalities for financing not linked to costs where applicable. Annex L is a self-evaluation on SEA-H, reflecting safeguarding requirements and due diligence. The privacy statement outlines data processing for e-Calls/PADOR.

Answers to the Categorization Questions

Eligible Applicant Types:The call title and document set indicate a focus on civil society, media, human rights, and democracy. Based on that focus and the standard scope of EuropeAid Action Grants in this thematic area, the likely primary applicants include nonprofit civil society organizations, NGOs, media organizations and associations, human rights organizations, and similar public-interest entities. The presence of Identification Forms for public law bodies and natural persons indicates the portal provides templates for different legal types; however, exact eligibility, including whether public bodies, individuals, or entities outside Bosnia and Herzegovina may apply, must be verified in the Guidelines for grant applicant. Definitive eligible applicant categories are not explicitly stated in the scraped content.

Funding Type:Grant. Specifically, Action Grants under EuropeAid.

Consortium Requirement:Not specified in the scraped content. The availability of co-applicant and identification templates suggests that both single-applicant and partnership configurations can exist in such calls, but the requirement for a consortium versus a single applicant must be confirmed in the Guidelines for grant applicant.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Bosnia and Herzegovina. The call’s geographic zone is explicitly stated as Bosnia and Herzegovina. Any broader eligibility (for example, participation of entities from EU Member States or IPA countries) is not detailed in the scraped content and should be checked in the Guidelines for grant applicant.

Target Sector:Civil society, media and journalism, human rights, democracy, governance and rule of law, civic participation, and related capacity building and advocacy activities.

Mentioned Countries:Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Project Stage:Implementation-oriented project grants typically covering development and implementation of activities such as capacity building, advocacy, community engagement, media support, monitoring, and policy dialogue. The exact expected maturity stage is not specified in the scraped content.

Funding Amount:Total available budget for the call is €5,700,000. The indicative grant size per project and any minimum/maximum grant amounts are not provided in the scraped content and should be consulted in the Guidelines for grant applicant.

Application Type:Open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the online submission service.

Nature of Support:Money. Financial support in the form of Action Grants.

Application Stages:Two stages. The presence of Annex A1 (Concept note) and Annex A2 (Full Application) indicates a two-step evaluation and submission process: concept note stage followed by invitation to submit a full application for shortlisted proposals.

Success Rates:Not provided in the scraped content.

Co-funding Requirement:Not specified in the scraped content. Applicants should consult the Guidelines for grant applicant and Annex B (Budget) for information on co-financing rates, eligible costs, and any requirements for applicant or partner financial contributions.

Application Workflow and Stages

1. 1Access the call page and download the Guidelines for grant applicant and all annexes from the portal.
2. 2Register or update organization details in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; where applicable, complete PADOR registration (Annex F – PADOR offline form and portal profile).
3. 3Stage 1: Prepare and submit Annex A1 (Concept note) by the deadline, following the Guidelines for relevance, objectives, and indicative intervention logic.
4. 4Evaluation of concept notes by the contracting authority. Only shortlisted applicants are invited to Stage 2.
5. 5Stage 2: Prepare and submit Annex A2 (Full Application) with Annex B (Budget), Annex C (Logical framework), identification forms (Annex D variants as applicable), Annex H (Declaration of honour), Annex L (SEA-H self-evaluation), and any other required supporting documents.
6. 6Contracting and implementation: For successful proposals, contracting follows the model in Annex G (Standard Grant Contract), with terms including reporting, payments, visibility, and compliance obligations. Annex J provides information on the tax regime, and Annex K clarifies if any financing not linked to costs is used.

Templates: Expected Structure of Application Forms

The exact sections are defined in the official templates. Based on the document list for this call, applicants can expect to provide the following elements in each stage:

• Annex A1 – Concept note: Project title, lot or strand (if applicable), applicant overview, context and problem analysis, objectives, target groups and final beneficiaries in Bosnia and Herzegovina, added value and alignment with call priorities (civil society, media, human rights, democracy), high-level approach and indicative activities, expected results and preliminary indicators, estimated duration and indicative budget, risk and assumptions summary, cross-cutting considerations including gender, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Annex A2 – Full Application: Detailed description of action, methodology and work plan with work packages, roles and responsibilities, partnership composition if applicable, governance and management arrangements, monitoring and evaluation framework aligned to Annex C indicators, detailed risk management and mitigation, sustainability and exit strategy, communication and visibility plan, safeguarding and SEA-H measures (referencing Annex L), ethics and data protection, detailed budget justification corresponding to Annex B.
• Annex B – Budget: Cost breakdown per heading and cost category, unit costs and quantities, indirect costs (if eligible), contingency and reserves (if applicable), co-financing sources (if applicable), and budget notes.
• Annex C – Logical framework: Overall objective, specific objectives, outputs, activities, objectively verifiable indicators with baselines and targets, means of verification, assumptions and risks.
• Annex D – Identification Forms: Legal status, registration details, legal representatives, financial identification as required, and supporting documents matching the applicant’s legal nature (public law body, private/public body with legal form, or natural person).
• Annex H – Declaration of honour: Statements on eligibility, exclusion criteria, capacity, and absence of conflicts of interest.
• Annex L – SEA-H self-evaluation: Organisational policies and procedures to prevent and address sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, including reporting mechanisms and training.
• Annex G – Standard Grant Contract: Contractual terms to be accepted upon award, including reporting, payment schedule, audit, procurement and subgranting rules (as applicable), and visibility obligations.
• Annex J – Tax regime information: Guidance on taxation applicable to the grant in Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU external actions context.
• Annex K – Clarifications on financing not linked to costs: Only applicable if the action uses this financing modality; otherwise standard cost-based budgeting applies.

Thematic Scope and Typical Activities

The call title indicates support for civil society, media, human rights, and democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While detailed priorities and lots are defined in the Guidelines for grant applicant, actions typically include capacity building for civil society organizations, initiatives to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, support to independent and pluralistic media and journalism, advocacy and watchdog activities, civic engagement and participation, rule of law and democratic governance initiatives, policy dialogue, inclusive outreach to vulnerable or underrepresented groups, and safeguarding and protection measures consistent with SEA-H standards.

Who Should Consider Applying

• Civil society organizations and NGOs active in Bosnia and Herzegovina working on human rights, democracy, governance, and civic participation.
• Media organizations, journalist associations, and entities focused on media freedom, media literacy, and independent journalism.
• Human rights defender organizations and watchdog groups focused on transparency, accountability, and rule of law.
• Think tanks and public-interest research organizations working on governance, policy analysis, and evidence-based advocacy.
• Networks and coalitions of CSOs and media actors seeking to strengthen coordination and impact.

Note:Precise eligibility rules, including whether public entities, academic institutions, international organizations, or entities established outside Bosnia and Herzegovina can participate or partner, must be verified in the official Guidelines for grant applicant for this specific call.

Timeline and Submission

1. 1Call published: 16 February 2026
2. 2Last update: 05 March 2026
3. 3Submission deadline: 20 May 2026 at 15:00:53 UTC
4. 4Submission method: Online via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Start submission function on the call page

Budget, Funding, and Financial Provisions

Total call budget is €5,700,000. The distribution of funds across potential lots, the minimum and maximum grant amounts per action, the indicative number of grants, and any co-financing percentages are not stated in the scraped content. Applicants must consult the Guidelines for grant applicant and Annex B for definitive financial rules, including eligible and ineligible costs, cost categories, indirect costs rules, pre-financing and payment schedules under the Standard Grant Contract (Annex G), and any taxation considerations described in Annex J.

Administrative and Compliance Requirements

• Registration: Ensure organization details are complete on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; PADOR registration may be required (Annex F available).
• Declarations: Annex H (Declaration of honour) must be completed to confirm exclusion and selection criteria compliance.
• Safeguarding: Annex L (SEA-H self-evaluation) reflects mandatory due diligence on safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Technical documentation: Annex C (Logical framework) and Annex B (Budget) must align with the Full Application narrative (Annex A2).
• Identification: Submit the appropriate Annex D Identification Form matching the applicant’s legal nature and provide supporting legal and financial documentation as required.
• Contracting: If selected, contracting follows Annex G (Standard Grant Contract), which sets out obligations on reporting, audits, visibility, procurement, subgranting where relevant, and monitoring.

Comprehensive Categorization Summary

What This Opportunity Is About

This EuropeAid call provides Action Grants to advance civil society, media freedom, human rights, and democratic governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025-2026. With a total budget of €5.7 million, it supports implementation-oriented projects that strengthen civil society capacities, enhance independent and pluralistic media, promote human rights and civic participation, and contribute to rule of law and accountable institutions. The application process follows a two-stage sequence starting with a concept note and, if shortlisted, a full application accompanied by a detailed budget and logical framework. Applicants must use the official templates, comply with exclusion and selection criteria, undertake safeguarding and SEA-H due diligence, and be prepared to contract under the Standard Grant Contract terms. Precise eligibility conditions, partnership requirements, financial ceilings, and co-funding rates are specified in the Guidelines for grant applicant, which should be consulted on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

The European Union is offering €5.7 million in grants to strengthen civil society, independent media, human rights protection, and democratic participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This call is part of a broader €6.9 million package supporting EU integration and democratic reforms in the country. The opportunity is open for submission until 20 May 2026 at 15:00 UTC.

Strategic Context

This funding initiative aligns with Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU enlargement process and the recently approved Reform Agenda under the EU Reform and Growth Facility. The country is eligible for up to €976.6 million from the wider €6 billion Western Balkans Growth Plan, contingent on successful implementation of fundamental reforms in rule of law, democracy, and human rights. The call emphasises that civil society organisations and independent media are essential drivers of democratic progress and EU integration, not obstacles to reform.

Funding Details

Total Budget:€5.7 million in action grants, with an additional €1.2 million allocated separately for strengthening election integrity, bringing the total package to €6.9 million.

Project Duration:Between 36 and 48 months.

Application Deadline:20 May 2026 at 15:00 UTC.

Call Publication Date:16 February 2026, with last update on 5 March 2026.

Five Priority Areas

The call is structured around five distinct lots, each addressing critical aspects of democratic development and EU alignment:

Lot 1: Media Freedom, Pluralism and Resilience:Support for consolidating media freedom and independence as a core pillar of democratic governance. Focus areas include journalist protection and professional standards, media literacy and digital skills, building resilience to disinformation, countering harmful content, and strengthening legal frameworks aligned with EU standards.

Lot 2: Rule of Law - Integrity, Accountability and Anti-Corruption:Strengthening judicial independence, integrity and performance; advancing anti-corruption, transparency and accountability; supporting investigative journalism and cross-border collaborations; monitoring public procurement and state aid; advocating for whistle-blower protection; promoting asset declaration transparency and beneficial ownership disclosure; developing digital transparency tools and open-data platforms; and supporting community-level anti-corruption initiatives and civic oversight of local governance.

Lot 3: Reconciliation and Trust-Building Through Sport and Culture:Promoting reconciliation through inclusive sport and cultural initiatives that foster dialogue, respect for diversity, and civic engagement aligned with European values. Activities include cultural and academic exchange, building social cohesion and inclusion, healing and trauma recovery, and youth and children engagement and empowerment.

Lot 4: Civil Society Organisations Resource Centre:Supporting a country-wide CSO expert hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue. The centre will facilitate CSO involvement in monitoring and implementing reforms linked to the EU Growth Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU integration agenda.

Lot 5: Human Rights and Democratic Values:Advancing human rights and equality, supporting human rights defenders, promoting social inclusion and inter-cultural dialogue, protecting vulnerable populations against exploitation, advancing digital rights and responsible artificial intelligence governance, and ensuring human rights legislation aligns with EU standards. Activities include capacity building for grassroots organisations to monitor and document human rights violations, promoting active citizenship, combating disinformation, and developing ethical frameworks for AI and surveillance.

Eligible Applicants

The call targets civil society organisations, independent media organisations, and other entities working in Bosnia and Herzegovina on democracy, human rights, rule of law, and EU integration. Applicants must be legally registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina or be international organisations with a presence in the country. The call documents provide identification forms for public law bodies, private or public law bodies with legal form, and natural persons.

Key Thematic Areas

Beyond the five lots, the call encompasses several cross-cutting themes including good governance and democracy, civic engagement and participation, civil society capacity building and enabling environment, economic development and local governance, EU Reform and Growth Plan implementation, environment and climate change, health and social services, sports, justice, safety and security. Projects must demonstrate relevance to EU macro-regional strategies, specifically the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Application Process and Requirements

Applicants must submit proposals through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal using the standardised application forms. The process involves two stages: a concept note (Annex A1) followed by a full application (Annex A2) for shortlisted proposals. Required documentation includes a logical framework (Annex C), detailed budget (Annex B), identification forms (Annex D), and a declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria (Annex H). Applicants must also complete a self-evaluation questionnaire on social and environmental aspects (Annex L). The Guidelines for Grant Applicants, published on 16 February 2026, provide comprehensive instructions on eligibility criteria, evaluation procedures, and contractual obligations.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to call objectives, quality of design and implementation approach, expected results and impact, organisational capacity, and cost-effectiveness. The standard grant contract (Annex G) will govern the relationship between the European Commission and successful applicants. Financing is not linked to costs in certain areas, as clarified in Annex K. Tax regime information is provided in Annex J, with potential derogations for international organisations outlined in the Appendix.

Broader EU Support Context

This call is part of the EU's comprehensive support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU integration. Since 2020, the EU has mobilised €2.4 billion in investments through €820 million in EU and bilateral donor grants. The country benefits from multiple EU programmes including the €70 million Energy Support Package, €23 million EU4people programme for employment and social inclusion, and €13 million EU4 Rule of Law and Equality programme. The Commission adopted an additional €140.5 million in IPA III 2025-2027 multiannual assistance in July 2025. These initiatives collectively support Bosnia and Herzegovina's green and digital transition, private sector development, and alignment with EU standards.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this call, applicants should contact the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina at Skenderija 3a, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Phone: +387 33 254-700. Email: delegation-bosnia-and-herzegovina-cfp@eeas.europa.eu. Detailed guidelines and all application forms are available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Key Considerations for Applicants

Applicants should note that Bosnia and Herzegovina's complex political structure, involving central government, entities, cantons, and the Brčko District, may require coordination across multiple administrative levels for projects with nationwide scope. The country has historically faced challenges in implementing reforms and meeting EU deadlines, as evidenced by the loss of €108 million from the Growth Plan due to late submission of the Reform Agenda. Successful projects should demonstrate clear alignment with EU integration priorities and capacity to deliver results within the 36-48 month timeframe. The EU emphasises that civil society and media organisations are critical partners in advancing democratic reforms and that this funding represents a commitment to protecting democratic space and supporting those working toward a more open, resilient, and European Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Footnotes

1. 1The Reform Agenda was approved by the European Commission on 4 December 2025, making Bosnia and Herzegovina eligible for up to €976.6 million from the €6 billion Western Balkans Growth Plan, conditional on successful implementation of agreed reforms with deadlines recurring every six months until the end of 2027.