Enhancing Human Rights initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic

The European Commission is offering an Action Grant to enhance Human Rights initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic, specifically aimed at strengthening frameworks and supporting civil society. The total budget for this grant is €1.7 million, and the opportunity exclusively targets projects implemented within Kyrgyzstan, aligning with EU objectives in the region.

Eligible applicants include non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and possibly public institutions involved in human rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment initiatives. The application process is an open call, set to close on June 3, 2025, and it likely involves a two-stage submission process, requiring an initial concept note followed by a full application for those shortlisted.

The targeted sectors are primarily human rights and governance, focusing on justice sector reforms and enhancing public transparency. Projects should be in a stage of development or validation, ready for implementation rather than in the preliminary research phase.

No specific consortium requirement is stated, suggesting single applicants may apply, while there is no clear co-funding requirement mentioned. The grant aims to fund actionable proposals that contribute to the enhancement of justice measures and civil liberties, thereby showcasing the EU's broader strategy to foster governance and human rights in Central Asia.

Applicants should refer to various guidelines and annexes available for download, which provide crucial details about eligibility criteria, application forms, budget templates, and reporting requirements. Overall, this funding opportunity emphasizes practical actions to improve human rights conditions in the Kyrgyz Republic and invites organizations to present impactful project proposals.

The European Commission is offering an Action Grant to enhance Human Rights initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic. The programme falls under the Human rights and democracy thematic area. The geographical zone for this opportunity is Kyrgyzstan. The total budget allocated for this grant is 1,700,000 EUR. The grant was published on April 4, 2025, and updated on May 19, 2025. The deadline for submission is June 3, 2025.

The following documents are available for download:

Clarification 4, dated May 19, 2025, in English.
Clarification 3, dated May 19, 2025, in English.
Clarification 2, dated May 13, 2025, in English.
Clarification 1, dated April 14, 2025, in English.
Corrigendum 1 Guidelines for applicants, dated April 14, 2025, in English.
Guidelines to applicants restricted call, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex A.1 Concept note, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex A.2 Full application form, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex B Budget, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex C Logical framework, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex F PADOR offline registration form, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex H Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex L Self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex G Standard grant contract, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex II General conditions, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex IV Contract award rules, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex V Standard Request for payment, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VI (1) Model interim narrative report, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VI (2) Model final narrative report, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VI (3) Model financial report cost-based, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VII-A Model report of factual findings for expenditure verification of an EU financed grant contract for external actions, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VII-A Model report terms of reference for an expenditure verification of an EU financed grant contract for external actions, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VII-B Terms of reference for a third party assessment in case of financing not linked to costs, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex VIII Model financial guarantee, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex IX Standard template for transfer of ownership of assets, dated April 4, 2025, in English.
Annex J Information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts, dated April 4, 2025, in English.

The grant aims to support initiatives focused on human rights and democracy within Kyrgyzstan. Interested applicants should download and carefully review all relevant documents, including the guidelines, application forms, and annexes, to ensure their proposals meet the specified requirements and criteria. The documents provide detailed information on eligibility, evaluation procedures, and the overall objectives of the grant.

In summary, this EU grant opportunity focuses on bolstering human rights and democracy efforts in Kyrgyzstan. With a budget of 1.7 million EUR, it invites organizations to submit proposals for action-oriented projects. The application process involves a concept note and a full application, along with detailed budget and logical framework documentation. Applicants must adhere to EU guidelines and regulations, as outlined in the provided annexes, covering aspects like contract management, reporting, and financial accountability. The grant aims to fund projects that will make a tangible impact on human rights within the specified geographical area.

Eligible Applicant Types: The provided text does not explicitly list eligible applicant types. However, given that it is an "Action Grant" related to "Human rights and democracy" and includes documents like "PADOR offline registration form," it is highly likely that eligible applicants include NGOs, non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and potentially governmental organizations involved in human rights initiatives. The "Guidelines to applicants restricted call" suggests that there may be pre-defined criteria that further restrict eligibility.

Funding Type: The funding type is an Action Grant.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if single applicants are allowed. The "Guidelines for applicants" and "Guidelines to applicants restricted call" documents would likely contain this information. The presence of a "PADOR offline registration form" might suggest that multiple organizations can be involved.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographical zone for this opportunity is explicitly stated as Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, the primary beneficiaries and the activities funded must be focused on the Kyrgyz Republic.

Target Sector: The target sector is Human rights and democracy.

Mentioned Countries: Kyrgyzstan is the only country explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The provided text does not explicitly specify the expected maturity or stage of the projects to be funded. However, since it is an "Action Grant," it is likely that the projects should be at a stage where concrete actions and activities can be implemented to enhance human rights initiatives. This suggests projects beyond the initial research or idea stage, potentially at the development, validation, or demonstration stage.

Funding Amount: The total budget for this opportunity is 1,700,000 EUR. The funding amount available for individual projects will likely vary depending on the specific activities and the number of projects selected.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Open For Submission." There is also a "Guidelines to applicants restricted call" document, which suggests that there might be a two-stage process, with an initial open call followed by a restricted call for selected applicants.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money through this Action Grant.

Application Stages: The presence of "Annex A.1 Concept note" and "Annex A.2 Full application form" suggests a two-stage application process. Applicants likely need to submit a concept note first, and if selected, they will be invited to submit a full application.

Success Rates: The provided text does not contain information about success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. The "Guidelines for applicants" document would likely contain this information.

Summary:

This opportunity is an Action Grant funded by the European Union, with a total budget of 1,700,000 EUR, aimed at enhancing human rights initiatives in the Kyrgyz Republic. The call is open for submission, with a deadline of June 3, 2025. The application process likely involves two stages: submission of a concept note followed by a full application if the concept note is approved. The grant is intended to support projects that are beyond the initial research phase and ready for implementation. Eligible applicants are likely NGOs, non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and potentially governmental organizations working in the field of human rights. The specific eligibility criteria and requirements, including whether co-funding is required and whether consortia are allowed, can be found in the "Guidelines for applicants" document. The program focuses on human rights and democracy within Kyrgyzstan. A range of annexes and supporting documents are provided, including application forms, budget templates, logical framework templates, and standard grant contract information. The presence of a "restricted call" guideline suggests a possible pre-selection phase based on initial applications.