EU Support to Civil society and media organisations across thematic policy sectors, IPA III Civil Society Facility & Media Programme 2025; and EU Supp...

The EU has announced a funding opportunity titled "EU Support to Civil Society and Media Organisations across thematic policy sectors, IPA III Civil Society Facility & Media Programme 2025; and EU Support for Combating Gender-Based and Domestic Violence - IPA III Programme 2022, for the Republic of North Macedonia." The total budget allocated for this initiative is €3,400,000. This opportunity targets civil society organizations (CSOs) and media organizations within North Macedonia, aiming to strengthen participatory democracy, fundamental rights protection, and support for EU integration.

Eligible applicants include local and grassroots CSOs, media organizations, NGOs, human rights activism groups, and international organizations such as UN agencies. The program allows individual organizations to apply and does not mandate a formal consortium, though it encourages networking among CSOs.

Funding is categorized as "Action Grants" and will provide direct financial assistance and capacity-building support. The application process involves two stages: an initial concept note followed by a full application for selected applicants. The deadline for submission is January 23, 2026.

The program focuses on themes such as rule of law, anti-corruption, media freedom, gender-based violence prevention, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Co-funding from applicants is typically required at a minimum of around 5% of the total project budget.

This call is not for idea development but rather aims to support organizations already in operational phases, facilitating improvements in their capacity and resilience. The funding will enhance the functioning of established civil society actors in North Macedonia and contribute to the region's broader EU integration goals. Further details on eligibility criteria and application specifics are outlined in the available guidelines and related documents.

The EU Funding & Tenders Portal has announced a call for proposals titled "EU Support to Civil society and media organisations across thematic policy sectors, IPA III Civil Society Facility & Media Programme 2025; and EU Support for Combating Gender-Based and Domestic Violence -IPA III Programme 2022, for the Republic of North Macedonia." The reference number for this call is EuropeAid/184168/DD/ACT/MK.

This opportunity is categorized as an Action Grant under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) programme. The geographical zone for this call is the Republic of North Macedonia.

The total budget allocated for this call is 3,400,000 EUR.

The call was published on November 26, 2025, and updated on the same date. The deadline for submission is January 23, 2026.

The following documents are available for download:

Guidelines for grant applicants (restricted), reference number 184168, published on November 26, 2025, in English.
Annex A1: Grant application form Concept note (restricted), reference number 184168, published on November 26, 2025, in English.
Annex A2: Grant application form Full application, reference number 184168, published on November 26, 2025, in English.

The call is open for submission, and applicants can start the submission process through the provided link.

In summary, this EU funding opportunity aims to provide support to civil society and media organizations in North Macedonia across various thematic policy sectors, as well as to support initiatives combating gender-based and domestic violence. The funding is provided through Action Grants under the IPA III program, with a total budget of 3.4 million EUR. Interested organizations should download the guidelines and application forms, and submit their proposals by the deadline of January 23, 2026. The call encompasses two main areas: supporting civil society and media, and combating gender-based violence, both crucial for North Macedonia's progress towards EU accession.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity targets civil society and media organisations. The specific types of eligible applicants within these categories are likely detailed in the restricted "Guidelines for grant applicant" document.

Funding Type: The funding type is Action Grants.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity details do not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. This information is likely within the "Guidelines for grant applicant" document.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is the Republic of North Macedonia.

Target Sector: The program targets thematic policy sectors relevant to civil society and media organisations, as well as combating gender-based and domestic violence.

Mentioned Countries: North Macedonia is explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The opportunity is for "Action Grants," suggesting projects that are ready for implementation or are already in progress, rather than at the initial research or idea stage.

Funding Amount: The budget is 3,400,000 EUR. It is not clear how many grants will be awarded or the size of individual grants.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money through action grants.

Application Stages: The application process appears to involve at least two stages: a concept note and a full application, based on the provided document names ("Annex A1. Grant application form-Concept note res (en)" and "Annex A2. Grant application form-Full application").

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not mentioned in the provided text.

Summary: This opportunity is an open call for action grants under the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) program, specifically targeting civil society and media organisations in North Macedonia. The total budget is 3,400,000 EUR. The call focuses on thematic policy sectors and combating gender-based and domestic violence. The application process involves at least two stages: submission of a concept note and, if successful, a full application. Further details regarding eligibility criteria, consortium requirements, co-funding, and specific thematic priorities are likely available in the "Guidelines for grant applicant" document. The deadline for submission is January 23, 2026.