ROVA - Roma CSOs promoting EU Values

The ROVA project, titled "Roma CSOs Promoting EU Values," is an opportunity offering cascade funding for civil society organizations (CSOs) that aim to protect and promote European Union values. This initiative specifically targets intermediaries responsible for providing financial support to third parties, particularly focusing on Roma communities across the EU. The overall program budget amounts to €1,450,000, which will be allocated to successful applicant organizations that can distribute funding to smaller projects.

The application process entails two stages: the first involves submitting concept notes by March 16, 2026, and the second, for those shortlisted, requires a full proposal submission by May 26, 2026. The results from the first round will be announced by April 23, 2026, with funding decisions communicated by July 3, 2026. Contracts will be finalized by August 14, 2026. The participation period for selected projects will last 13 months.

Eligible applicants include established CSOs with the capacity to manage and distribute funds. The program emphasizes civic engagement and democracy promotion, falling under the Citizenship, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) framework, specifically the CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES identifier. The detailed eligibility criteria, maximum funding amounts, and country-specific information can be found in application guides available on the ROVA website.

The call for proposals opened on January 15, 2026, and the project seeks to support initiatives aligned with EU values and foster the inclusion of Roma communities through innovative local projects. Information sessions and individual consultations will be offered to help applicants strengthen their proposals. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the detailed application materials and participate in the information sessions for better guidance during the application process.

The ROVA Roma CSOs promoting EU Values project is offering cascade funding for civil society organizations active in protecting and promoting Union values. This call is specifically targeted towards intermediaries who will provide financial support to third parties.

The opening date for this call was 15 January 2026. The deadline for submitting concept notes is 16 March 2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is 13 months. The total funding available is 1,450,000.00 EUR. The project acronym is ROVA, and the full name of the EU funded project is Roma CSOs promoting EU Values. The grant agreement number is 101182543. The topic is CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES Call for proposals for civil society organisations active on protecting and promoting Union values: call to intermediaries (giving financial support to third parties).

The application process consists of two rounds: concept notes and full proposals. The first round, which involves submitting concept notes, is open until 5 pm CET on 16 March 2026. Applications must be submitted via the online form available on the ROVA website (www.rovaproject.org).

During the application process, applicants can attend information sessions designed to help them develop strong project proposals. These sessions will be advertised by national grant managing organizations. The dates for these sessions are available in the detailed application guides. Individual consultations will also be offered to interested applicants.

Applicants will be notified of the results of the first round no later than 23 April 2026. Those shortlisted for the second round will receive an application form for the full proposal, which must be submitted by 26 May 2026 at 5 pm CET.

Funding decisions will be communicated no later than 3 July 2026, and funding contracts will be concluded with successful applicants by 14 August 2026 at the latest.

Applications will be evaluated by external evaluators and a selection committee in both rounds.

Detailed application guides in national languages, including information on maximum funding amounts, the expected number of grantees per country, eligibility criteria, eligible activities, and selection and award criteria, are available at www.rovaproject.org. You can also contact rova_ergo@ergonetwork.org for more information.

In summary, this opportunity is a call for proposals under the CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES program, specifically targeting civil society organizations that act as intermediaries in protecting and promoting EU values, with a focus on Roma communities. The ROVA project aims to distribute 1,450,000 EUR in funding to selected organizations. The application process involves a two-stage submission, starting with a concept note, followed by a full proposal for shortlisted applicants. The project seeks to support initiatives that align with EU values and benefit Roma communities through intermediary organizations. Detailed guidelines and application materials are available on the ROVA website, and potential applicants are encouraged to attend information sessions and seek individual consultations to strengthen their proposals.

Eligible Applicant Types: The call is specifically targeted at civil society organisations (CSOs) that can act as intermediaries, giving financial support to third parties. The focus is on Roma CSOs, but the specific eligibility criteria should be checked in the detailed application guides available on the ROVA website.

Funding Type: The funding type is cascade funding, which is a type of grant where the primary recipient distributes funds to smaller projects or organizations.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if single applicants are allowed. The eligibility criteria in the detailed application guides should be consulted to determine if a consortium is necessary.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, the mention of "national grant managing organisations" and "expected number of grantees per country" suggests that the program is likely targeted at organizations within specific countries, potentially EU member states or countries associated with the CERV program. The detailed application guides will provide specific geographic eligibility.

Target Sector: The program targets civil society organizations active in protecting and promoting Union values, with a specific focus on Roma communities. Therefore, the target sectors include social inclusion, human rights, EU values, and Roma-related issues.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the reference to "national grant managing organisations" and "expected number of grantees per country" implies that the program is likely targeting multiple countries, potentially within the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is not explicitly mentioned, but given the focus on civil society organizations and promoting EU values, it is likely that the projects should be at least at the development or validation stage, with a clear plan for implementation and impact.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is €1,450,000. The maximum funding amounts for individual projects are not specified in the provided text but are available in the detailed application guides.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a two-stage submission process: concept notes and full proposals.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of cascade funding to support their projects.

Application Stages: The application process consists of two stages: submission of concept notes and, if shortlisted, submission of a full proposal.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. The detailed application guides should be consulted to determine if co-funding is necessary.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) program, specifically targeting civil society organizations (CSOs) that work to protect and promote EU values, with a particular emphasis on Roma communities. The project, named ROVA (Roma CSOs promoting EU Values), operates through cascade funding, meaning that selected CSOs will receive grants to further distribute to smaller, local initiatives. The total funding available is €1,450,000. The application process involves two stages: first, a concept note, and then, if shortlisted, a full proposal. The deadline for submitting concept notes is March 16, 2026. The program aims to support projects that align with EU values and contribute to the inclusion and empowerment of Roma communities. Interested organizations should consult the detailed application guides on the ROVA website for specific eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application guidelines. The selection process involves evaluation by external experts and a selection committee. The opening date for the call is January 15, 2026, and the expected duration of participation is 13 months. The grant agreement number for this project is 101182543. The topic of the call is CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES, which focuses on civil society organizations active in protecting and promoting Union values, specifically through intermediaries who provide financial support to third parties.