Supporting civic space in Eswatini

The EU funding opportunity titled "Supporting civic space in Eswatini" with the reference number EuropeAid/184353/DD/ACT/SZ aims to strengthen civil society and democratic engagement in Eswatini, providing a total budget of 500,000 EUR. The call was published on June 16, 2025, and has a submission deadline of July 31, 2025.

Eligible applicants for this grant are likely to include non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and other non-profit entities engaged in human rights and democracy within Eswatini. Although the specific consortium requirements are not detailed, typically such grants allow for both single applicants and consortium submissions.

The nature of support is a monetary grant categorized as an "Action Grant." The application is classified as an open call but is designated as a restricted call, suggesting that specific eligibility criteria may apply. The successful execution of projects should be focused on the implementation stage, supporting existing civic initiatives and fostering civil society development.

Documents available for applicants include guidelines for the restricted call, multiple application forms, a budget template, a logical framework template, and various annexes that detail contractual obligations and compliance requirements, including a PADOR registration form and declarations regarding exclusion and selection criteria.

No explicit success rates are provided, nor is there a clear indication of co-funding requirements, but these aspects are common in EU funding opportunities. The overall aim of the grant is to fund activities that support and enhance civic space, consistent with EU priorities on human rights promotion. Interested parties are encouraged to thoroughly review the provided documentation to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the application process and eligibility conditions.

The EU Funding & Tenders Portal has announced a call for proposals titled "Supporting civic space in Eswatini" with the reference number EuropeAid/184353/DD/ACT/SZ. This is an action grant focused on the thematic area of human rights and democracy within the geographical zone of Eswatini. The total budget allocated for this call is 500,000 EUR. The call was published on June 16, 2025, and updated on June 13, 2025. The deadline for submission is July 31, 2025.

Several documents are available for download related to this restricted call:

1.  Guidelines for the restricted call, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
2.  Annex G, the standard grant contract, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
3.  Application form FA, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
4.  Application form CN, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
5.  Annex B, the budget template, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
6.  Annex C, the logical framework template, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
7.  Annex F, the PADOR offline registration form, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
8.  Annex H, the declaration of honor on exclusion and selection criteria, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
9.  Annex J, information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts, published on June 16, 2025, in English.
10. Annex L, a self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment), published on June 16, 2025, in English.

The call for proposals aims to support civic space in Eswatini, focusing on human rights and democracy. The available budget is 500,000 EUR, and the deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2025. Applicants should carefully review all the provided documents, including the guidelines, application forms, budget template, logical framework, and other annexes related to contractual and compliance requirements. The call is a restricted one, meaning that there might be specific eligibility criteria or pre-selection procedures that applicants need to meet. The documents provide detailed information on how to prepare and submit a successful application.

Eligible Applicant Types: The provided text does not explicitly list eligible applicant types. However, given the focus on "civic space" and the availability of standard grant contract annexes, it is highly probable that eligible applicants include NGOs, non-profits, civil society organizations, and potentially other organizations working in the human rights and democracy sector. The presence of a PADOR offline registration form (Annex F) further suggests that organizations need to be registered in the EU's Potential Applicant Data Online Registration (PADOR) system, implying a focus on established entities.

Funding Type: The funding type is explicitly stated as "Action Grants."

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if single applicants are allowed. The availability of multiple application forms (FA and CN) might suggest different application tracks, possibly including options for both single applicants and consortia. Further details would be needed from the "Guidelines restricted call" document to confirm.

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

Target Sector: The target sector is "Human rights and democracy," with a specific focus on "supporting civic space" in Eswatini.

Mentioned Countries: Eswatini is the only country explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The project stage is not explicitly mentioned, but the term "Action Grants" suggests that the projects should be at a stage where concrete actions and activities can be implemented. This likely implies projects in the development, validation, or demonstration stages, rather than purely research-oriented projects.

Funding Amount: The budget is explicitly stated as 500,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an "Open For Submission" call, but it is also described as a "restricted call." This suggests that while the call is open for submission, there might be specific eligibility criteria or pre-selection processes that limit the pool of potential applicants.

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

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated in the provided text. The "restricted call" designation might imply a two-stage process (e.g., a concept note followed by a full proposal), but this is not definitively stated. Reviewing the "Guidelines restricted call" document would provide clarity.

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. The grant guidelines would need to be consulted to determine if co-funding is required.

Summary:

This opportunity is an Action Grant funded by the European Union, with a total budget of 500,000 EUR, aimed at supporting civic space in Eswatini. The call is open for submission but is designated as a "restricted call," suggesting specific eligibility criteria. The program focuses on human rights and democracy, and the geographical scope is limited to Eswatini. While the specific types of eligible applicants are not explicitly listed, it is likely that NGOs, non-profits, and civil society organizations working in the relevant sector are eligible. The application deadline is July 31, 2025. Applicants should consult the "Guidelines restricted call" document and other provided annexes (including application forms, budget templates, and the standard grant contract) for detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and project requirements. The grant aims to fund concrete actions and activities that contribute to the support of civic space within Eswatini.