Thematic grants

The Equal Rights Project (ERP_PL) offers a funding opportunity aimed at non-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) established in Poland to support activities promoting human rights, combating discrimination, and advocating for the rule of law. Eligible applicants must have been registered in Poland for at least 12 months and must not have previously received institutional grants under the ERP. The funding comprises small and large thematic grants, with allocations of up to €15,000 for small grants and between €11,577 to €28,942 for large grants, including optional capacity-building components.

The total budget for this funding call is approximately €1.76 million, divided into categories that allow for up to PLN 50,000 for small grants and PLN 100,000 for large grants, along with additional funds for organizational enhancement. The targeted sectors encompass human rights issues affecting vulnerable groups such as LGBT+ individuals, women, people with disabilities, and migrants, aiming to facilitate evidence-based advocacy and monitoring to uphold fundamental rights as defined by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

While the applicants must be based in Poland, the activities funded can occur in any EU Member State. The application process consists of a single-stage evaluation conducted by independent experts, with an open call format for submissions. The deadline for applications is August 29, 2025, with an expected participation duration of 12 to 18 months.

No co-funding requirement is specified, and the competitive nature of the funding suggests a moderate success rate. The opportunity highlights a commitment to advancing Union values and providing financial support to organizations focused on ensuring equality and combating discrimination in society. Interested parties can access more information about the application process on the Equal Rights Programme website.

The Thematic Grants call aims to support activities ensuring that groups at risk of discrimination, unequal treatment, hate speech, and hate crimes, particularly LGBT+ people, women, people with disabilities, Roma, and people with migration experience, can fully enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights. It also supports evidence-based advocacy, watchdog, and monitoring activities that promote respect for the rule of law.

The total budget for this call is PLN 7,600,000, which is approximately EUR 1,759,667. This budget is divided into two categories: Small thematic grants, with a budget of PLN 2,600,000 (approximately EUR 601,991), and large thematic grants, with a budget of PLN 5,000,000 (approximately EUR 1,157,676).

The minimum and maximum grant amounts are structured as follows: Small grants can receive up to PLN 50,000, with an additional optional grant of PLN 15,000 for organizational capacity building, resulting in a maximum total of PLN 65,000 (approximately EUR 15,050). Large grants range from PLN 50,001 to PLN 100,000, with an additional optional grant of PLN 25,000 for organizational capacity building, resulting in a maximum total of PLN 125,000 (approximately EUR 28,942).

The thematic grants include a capacity-building component, providing additional funds to strengthen and develop the organization. This component aims to create a stable foundation for future operations, develop strategic and financial plans, and improve the organization's overall work and management standards. The maximum capacity-building grant is PLN 15,000 (approximately EUR 3,473) for small grants and PLN 25,000 (approximately EUR 5,789) for large grants.

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet the following criteria: They must be established in Poland. They must be non-profit civil society organizations. They must respect EU values as outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. They must 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 for both large and small grants. Small grants also include so-called ordinary associations. Applicants must have been registered for at least 12 months before submitting the application. They must not have received an institutional grant under the Equal Rights Project grant scheme.

Eligible activities must take place within an EU Member State.

The evaluation process consists of a single stage, where independent experts with relevant knowledge and experience will assess the submitted proposals.

The opening date for submissions is May 30, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is August 29, 2025, at 02:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is between 12 and 18 months. The project acronym is ERP_PL, and the full name of the EU-funded project is the Equal Rights Project, with grant agreement number 101184789. The topic is CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES, which is a call for proposals for civil society organizations active in protecting and promoting Union values, specifically targeting intermediaries that provide financial support to third parties.

Further details about the call procedure can be found on the Equal Rights Programme website at https://programrownychpraw.batory.org.pl/.

In summary, this opportunity is a call for proposals under the Equal Rights Project, aimed at supporting civil society organizations in Poland that are working to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and promote the rule of law. The call offers both small and large thematic grants, with additional funding available for capacity building. Eligible organizations must be non-profit, based in Poland, and have a proven track record of at least 12 months. The projects funded must take place within the EU. This initiative seeks to empower organizations to advocate for equality, combat discrimination, and ensure that fundamental rights are respected and upheld across the European Union.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are non-profit civil society organisations established in Poland. Specifically, for large grants, 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. For small grants, the eligible legal forms are the same as for large grants, with the addition of so-called ordinary associations. Applicants must have been registered for at least 12 months before submitting the application and must not have been granted an institutional grant in the Equal Rights Project grant scheme.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant. Specifically, these are thematic grants with an optional capacity building component.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to be open to single applicants, not requiring a consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): While applicants must be established in Poland, the activities funded by the grants must take place in an EU Member State.

Target Sector: The target sectors are human rights, civil society, and rule of law. The program aims to support activities that ensure groups at risk of discrimination, unequal treatment, hate speech, and hate crimes (specifically LGBT+ people, women, people with disabilities, Roma, and people with migration experience) enjoy their rights. It also supports evidence-based advocacy, watchdog, and monitoring activities that support respect for the rule of law.

Mentioned Countries: Poland and all EU Member States are mentioned. Poland is the country where the applicant must be established, and activities must take place in an EU Member State.

Project Stage: The project stage is not explicitly mentioned, but it seems to target activities that are already in the implementation or advocacy phase, rather than early-stage research or idea generation. The focus is on ensuring rights and supporting advocacy, watchdog, and monitoring activities, suggesting projects that are at least in the development or validation stage.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the call is approximately EUR 1,759,667. Small thematic grants have a budget of approximately EUR 601,991, and large thematic grants have a budget of approximately EUR 1,157,676. The minimum/maximum grant amounts are:
Small grants: up to PLN 50,000 (approx. EUR 11,577), plus an additional optional grant amount for organisation’s capacity building PLN 15,000 (approx. EUR 3,473), giving a maximum total of PLN 65,000 (approx. EUR 15,050).
Large grants: PLN 50,001 – PLN 100,000 (approx. EUR 11,577 - EUR 23,153), plus an additional optional grant amount for organisation’s capacity building PLN 25,000 (approx. EUR 5,789), giving a maximum total of PLN 125,000 (approx. EUR 28,942).

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants. The grants also include an optional capacity building component, providing additional funds for strengthening and developing the organisation.

Application Stages: There is a single-stage application process.

Success Rates: The success rate is not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned, so it is not possible to determine whether it is required.

Summary: This opportunity is a call for proposals for thematic grants under the Equal Rights Project, aimed at supporting civil society organizations in Poland that work to protect the rights of groups at risk of discrimination and promote the rule of law. The call is divided into small and large grants, with funding ranging from approximately EUR 11,577 to EUR 28,942, including an optional capacity building component. Eligible applicants must be non-profit civil society organizations established in Poland that meet specific legal form requirements and have been registered for at least 12 months. The funded activities must take place within an EU Member State. The application process is a single-stage process, and further details can be found on the Equal Rights Programme website. The call aims to address discrimination, unequal treatment, hate speech, and hate crimes against vulnerable groups such as LGBT+ people, women, people with disabilities, Roma, and people with migration experience, as well as to support advocacy and monitoring activities that uphold the rule of law. The opening date for submission is May 30, 2025, and the deadline is August 29, 2025. The expected duration of participation is 12-18 months. The total funding available is EUR 1,759,667.