Rapid Response Grants

The Rapid Response Grants opportunity is designed to support civil society organizations in Poland that focus on protecting and promoting European Union values, particularly for groups at risk of discrimination. This funding scheme is part of the Equal Rights Project, supported by the EU under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme.

The total budget for the initiative is approximately 185,228 EUR, which is equivalent to around 800,000 PLN. Individual grants range from 2,300 EUR (20,000 PLN) to 9,300 EUR (40,000 PLN). The opportunity is specifically targeted at non-profit civil society organizations established in Poland. Eligible legal forms of organizations include foundations, associations, church legal entities registered with the National Court Register, rural housewives' circles, and unions of associations.

The eligibility requirements emphasize that applicants must respect EU values as delineated in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. While the organizations must be based in Poland, the activities funded can occur in any EU Member State. The grants are aimed at two main objectives: ensuring that marginalized groups such as LGBT+ individuals, women, disabled persons, Roma, and migrants enjoy their rights and promoting evidence-based advocacy and monitoring activities that uphold the rule of law.

The application process features multiple cut-off dates, allowing submissions until specified deadlines throughout 2025 and 2026—specifically on October 31, 2025, January 7, 2026, March 2, 2026, May 29, 2026, and August 15, 2026. There is a single-stage submission process, which facilitates swift evaluations by the Equal Rights Project team.

Eligible project activities include advocacy campaigns, monitoring and watchdog activities, countering disinformation, developing research for advocacy, and capacity building. Activities focused on promoting religious doctrines or conducting worship are expressly prohibited.

Overall, this funding opportunity provides much-needed financial support for Polish civil society organizations, enabling them to quickly respond to urgent issues related to equality and human rights in the EU. The aim is to bolster civil society's role in defending fundamental rights and fostering a democratic governance environment.

The Rapid Response Grants are part of the Equal Rights Project (ERP_PL), which is funded by the EU under grant agreement number 101184789. The call falls under the topic CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES, which is a call for proposals for civil society organisations active on protecting and promoting Union values, specifically a call to intermediaries giving financial support to third parties.

The objective of this call for rapid response grants is to support two main categories of activities:

1.  Activities to ensure that groups at risk of discrimination, unequal treatment, hate speech, and hate crimes (in particular LGBT+ people, women, people with disabilities, Roma, people with migration experience) enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
2.  Evidence-based advocacy, watchdog, and monitoring activities that support respect for the rule of law.

The total budget for this call is PLN 800,000, which is approximately EUR 185,228. The minimum grant amount is PLN 20,000 (approximately EUR 2,300), and the maximum grant amount is PLN 40,000 (approximately EUR 9,300).

The opening date for submissions was September 18, 2025. The deadline model is multiple cut-off, with the following deadline dates at 12:00 (Brussels time):

*  October 31, 2025
*  January 7, 2026
*  March 2, 2026
*  May 29, 2026
*  August 15, 2026

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1.  Be established in Poland.
2.  Be non-profit making and a civil society organisation.
3.  Respect EU values as laid down in Art. 2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of fundamental rights.
4.  Have an eligible legal form, which includes: foundations, associations registered in the National Court Register, church legal persons registered in the National Court Register, rural housewives’ circles, and unions of associations.
5.  Only activities taking place in an EU Member State are eligible.

Submitted proposals will be evaluated by the Equal Rights Project team in an internal, one-stage process. The team possesses the necessary knowledge and experience in the subject matter of the call.

Grants will be awarded a maximum of five times, until the total budget allocation is exhausted, according to the following schedule:

*  Until December 15, 2025
*  Until February 15, 2026
*  Until April 15, 2026
*  Until July 15, 2026
*  Until October 15, 2026

Eligible types of project activities include:

*  Watchdog and monitoring activities
*  Advocacy campaigns
*  Developing research and analysis for advocacy purposes
*  Countering disinformation and fact-checking
*  Developing and testing models, methods, and interventions
*  Networking
*  Developing and managing platforms for cooperation between civil society organisations
*  Activities to strengthen the organisation in the event of a sudden loss of financial resources
*  Activities supporting the team in situations of overload and burnout

Organisations are explicitly prohibited from conducting religious worship as part of the project, and funded activities must not directly or indirectly promote religious doctrine, mission, or appeal to a particular faith.

Further information, including a detailed description of the call procedure, can be found on the Equal Rights Programme website: https://programrownychpraw.batory.org.pl/.

In summary, this funding opportunity provides rapid response grants to civil society organisations in Poland that are working to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and promote the rule of law within the EU. The grants aim to support a range of activities, from monitoring and advocacy to research and capacity building, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all individuals can fully exercise their fundamental rights. The call has multiple deadlines throughout 2025 and 2026, allowing organisations to apply at different times based on their needs and project timelines. The focus is on supporting activities that directly address discrimination, hate speech, and other forms of injustice, while also strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations to effectively advocate for and protect these rights.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are non-profit making civil society organisations established in Poland. The specific legal forms that are eligible include foundations, associations registered in the National Court Register, church legal persons registered in the National Court Register, rural housewives’ circles, and unions of associations.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant. These are rapid response grants. The call for proposals is for civil society organisations active on protecting and promoting Union values and acts as an intermediary giving financial support to third parties.

Consortium Requirement: The information provided does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if single applicants are allowed. However, given the focus on civil society organisations and the nature of the activities, it is likely that both single applicants and consortia are eligible, although this is not explicitly stated.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Activities must take place in an EU Member State. While the applicant must be established in Poland, the project activities can occur in any EU Member State.

Target Sector: The target sector is focused on protecting and promoting Union values, specifically related to equal rights and non-discrimination. This includes activities related to LGBT+ people, women, people with disabilities, Roma, and people with migration experience. It also includes activities that support respect for the rule of law, such as evidence-based advocacy, watchdog, and monitoring activities.

Mentioned Countries: Poland, EU Member States.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is focused on activities that can provide a rapid response. This includes developing and testing models and interventions, advocacy campaigns, countering disinformation, and strengthening organisations in the event of a sudden loss of financial resources. The projects are likely in the development, validation, and demonstration stages.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the call is approximately EUR 185,228 (PLN 800,000). The minimum grant amount is approximately EUR 2,300 (PLN 20,000), and the maximum grant amount is approximately EUR 9,300 (PLN 40,000).

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 a grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a one-stage internal evaluation by the Equal Rights Project team.

Success Rates: The grants will be awarded a maximum of five times according to a schedule, until the allocation is exhausted. The success rate is other, as it depends on the number of applications received at each cut-off date and the quality of the proposals.

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

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Equal Rights Project (ERP_PL), funded by the EU, offering rapid response grants to non-profit civil society organisations established in Poland. The grants aim to support activities that protect and promote Union values, particularly concerning groups at risk of discrimination, unequal treatment, hate speech, and hate crimes, such as LGBT+ people, women, people with disabilities, Roma, and people with migration experience. The call also supports evidence-based advocacy and monitoring activities that uphold the rule of law.

The total budget for the call is approximately EUR 185,228, with individual grants ranging from EUR 2,300 to EUR 9,300. Eligible organisations must be non-profit, based in Poland, and respect EU values. Eligible legal forms include foundations, associations registered in the National Court Register, church legal persons registered in the National Court Register, rural housewives’ circles, and unions of associations. While the applicant must be based in Poland, the activities can take place in any EU Member State.

The call follows a multiple cut-off deadline model, with deadlines on October 31, 2025, January 7, 2026, March 2, 2026, May 29, 2026, and August 15, 2026. The evaluation process is internal and consists of a single stage conducted by the Equal Rights Project team. Eligible project activities include watchdog and monitoring activities, advocacy campaigns, research and analysis for advocacy, countering disinformation, developing and testing models and interventions, networking, managing cooperation platforms, and activities to strengthen the organisation in the event of a sudden loss of financial resources, or to support the team in situations of overload and burnout. Activities involving religious worship or promoting religious doctrine are not eligible.

In essence, this call provides crucial financial support to Polish civil society organisations enabling them to quickly respond to emerging issues related to equal rights, discrimination, and the rule of law within the European Union.