Civil Society Organisations as actors of good governance and development in Sierra Leone

The EU grant opportunity titled "Civil Society Organisations as actors of good governance and development in Sierra Leone" has a budget of 4,702,000 EUR and aims to strengthen the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in enhancing governance and development within Sierra Leone. The call for proposals was published on December 22, 2025, and has a submission deadline of February 10, 2026.

Eligible applicants for this grant include civil society organizations in various forms, such as NGOs, non-profit associations, and community-based organizations operating in Sierra Leone. The funding type is categorized as action grants. It primarily focuses on projects that demonstrate effective governance initiatives, promote citizen participation, advocate for human rights, and contribute to local and national development priorities in alignment with EU objectives.

The application process is structured into two stages: the initial submission of concept notes followed by detailed proposals from shortlisted organizations. Although the exact success rates and co-funding requirements are not specified, it is anticipated that competition for funding will be moderate to high.

The opportunity is part of a broader EU strategy to reinforce civil society's role in governance and to address social and economic inequalities in Sierra Leone. Various documentation, including guidelines for applicants and application forms, are made available to facilitate the submission process and ensure compliance with EU regulations. This grant is expected to yield significant impacts in enhancing governance practices, particularly for marginalized communities, women, and youth.

The funding opportunity is titled "Civil Society Organisations as actors of good governance and development in Sierra Leone". The reference number is EuropeAid/185127/DD/ACT/SL. This is an open call for submissions. It is an action grant. The programme is multi geographical zone Sierra Leone. The total budget allocated to this call is 4,702,000 EUR. The call was published on 22 December 2025 and updated on 17 December 2025. The deadline for submission is 11 February 2026.

The following documents are available for download: Guidelines for grant applicants (22 December 2025, EN), Annex A1 Grant application form (22 December 2025, EN), Annex A2 Grant application form Full application (22 December 2025, EN), Annex B Budget (22 December 2025, EN), Annex C Logical framework (22 December 2025, EN), Annex D Identification Form (public law bodies) (22 December 2025, EN), Annex D Identification Form (private or public with legal form) (22 December 2025, EN), Annex D Identification Form (natural person) (22 December 2025, EN), Annex F PADOR offline registration form (22 December 2025, EN), Annex G Standard grant contract (22 December 2025, EN), Annex H Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria (22 December 2025, EN), Annex K Clarifications on financing not linked to costs (22 December 2025, EN), Annex J Information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts (22 December 2025, EN), Appendix Derogations international organisations (22 December 2025, EN), and Annex L Self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H (22 December 2025, EN).

In summary, this is a call for proposals targeting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to act as agents of good governance and development within Sierra Leone. The European Union, under the EuropeAid program, is providing action grants totaling 4,702,000 EUR. Interested CSOs must submit their applications by February 11, 2026, following the guidelines and using the provided application forms and templates. The provided documentation covers all aspects of the application process, including eligibility criteria, budget preparation, logical framework design, and compliance with EU regulations. The grant aims to support initiatives that promote good governance and contribute to the development of Sierra Leone through the active involvement of civil society.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are Civil Society Organisations. The documentation includes identification forms for public law bodies, private or public entities with legal form, and natural persons, suggesting a broad range of eligible civil society actors. Derogations for international organisations are also mentioned.

Funding Type: The funding type is Action Grants.

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the availability of different identification forms (public law bodies, private entities, natural persons) and the mention of "derogations international organisations" suggest that both single applicants and consortia may be eligible. The guidelines for grant applicants would provide more specific information.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The programme targets Sierra Leone, but it is part of a Multi Geographical Zone. The eligibility of applicants from other countries is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but the "derogations international organisations" suggests that international organisations may be eligible, potentially expanding the geographic scope.

Target Sector: The target sector is good governance and development, with a focus on the role of Civil Society Organisations in Sierra Leone.

Mentioned Countries: Sierra Leone is explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The information provided does not specify a particular project stage. The Action Grant type suggests that projects should be ready for implementation or already in progress.

Funding Amount: The budget for this call is 4,702,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Open For Submission".

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant.

Application Stages: The information provided does not explicitly state the number of application stages. However, the presence of "Annex A1 - Grant application form" and "Annex A2 - Grant application form - Full application" suggests a two-stage application process, with an initial application followed by a full application for selected applicants.

Success Rates: The information provided does not include success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: The information provided does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. The guidelines for grant applicants would provide more specific information.

Summary: This opportunity is a call for proposals targeting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to act as agents of good governance and development in Sierra Leone. Funded by the European Commission, the call makes available 4,702,000 EUR in action grants. The call is open for submission with a deadline of February 11, 2026. The application process likely involves two stages: an initial application and a full application for shortlisted candidates. Eligible applicants include public law bodies, private entities with legal form, natural persons, and potentially international organisations. The focus is on supporting projects that contribute to good governance and development within Sierra Leone. Applicants should consult the guidelines for grant applicants and related annexes for detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and contractual requirements. The provided documents include application forms, budget templates, logical framework templates, identification forms, a standard grant contract, and declarations related to exclusion and selection criteria.