Funding through CERV programme aims at protecting rights and values enshrined in the EU treaties in order to sustain open, democratic and inclusive societies.

The EU is a community of values, and all its Member States committed to respect the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental rights. Europe’s experiences in the 20th century demonstrates the need for resilient democracies and the need for people to actively engage in and protect democratic institutions and values. Historical experience such as in the 1920s and 1930s, when some European democracies went through particularly challenging times, are stark reminders of the importance to promote democracy, also in a historical perspective. Today, democracy faces several challenges, which underlined the need to strengthen public trust in democratic processes and institutions and to recall the importance of democracy in people’s daily life.

Democratic transitions (defined as the transition from a non-democratic to a democratic system, a transition undertaken by several European countries before joining the EU) are not only political and legal processes but also societal transformations. The transition and consolidation of democracies through institutional and legal reforms has been essential. In addition, delivering justice to victims and affected communities after the fall of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes (including communist and fascist dictatorships) can aid in societal healing, bolster and reinforce resilience against present and future threats to democracies.

Minimum grant amount: €50,000 (The minimum grant amount that can be requested cannot be less than €50,000).

The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.

• Public Administration
• Social Affairs & Human Rights

• International Organisations
• Legal Entities
• Non Profit Organisations
• Other Beneficiaries
• Private Bodies
• State-owned Enterprises

Applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:

• For lead applicants (the “Coordinator”): be non-profit legal entities (public or private bodies) or international organisations.
• For co-applicants: be non-profit or for-profit legal entities (public or private bodies).
  • Organisations that are for-profit may apply only in partnership with public entities, private non-profit organisations, or international organisations.
• Be established in one of the eligible countries:
  • EU Member States (including Overseas Countries and Territories — OCTs)
  • Non-EU countries:
    • Countries associated with the CERV Programme, or
    • Countries in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement, provided the agreement enters into force before the grant signature (see list of participating countries).

Other eligibility conditions:

• Activities must take place in one of the eligible countries.
• The minimum grant requested must not be lower than EUR 50,000.
• Projects may be national or transnational.
• The application must involve at least two applicants: a lead applicant and at least one co-applicant (not being an affiliated entity or associated partner).

Administrative requirements:

• Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting the proposal and will need to be validated by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation).
  • For validation, entities will be asked to upload documents showing their legal status and origin.
• Other entities may participate in different consortium roles, such as associated partners, subcontractors, or third parties providing in-kind contributions (see section 13).

Duration
Projects should normally range between 12 and 24 months.
Extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment

Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations

Head of CERV Contact Point
Nenad Bogdanovic
Email: nb@epcr.org.cy
Website: www.epcr.org.cy

For help related to this call, please contact: EACEA-CERV@ec.europa.eu

• Funding & Tenders
• Call document