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

Projects under this topic should focus on the non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust, including Roma and LGBTIQ people, as well as other genocides, war crimes and crimes against humanity of the 20th century’s Europe.

Projects under this topic should NOT address the Holocaust against Jewish people which is covered by Topic 2. The European Union is founded on the principles of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law. Europe’s 20th century was marked by horrific crimes, genocides including Holocaust, war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as the crimes committed under authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, including those of communist and fascist dictatorships. The remembrance of these gravest crimes committed on European soil plays a critical role in upholding these values.

Strengthening collective memory of such crimes contributes not only to preventing their recurrence but also to reinforcing democratic resilience, fostering civic engagement, and building a common European culture of remembrance. The legacy of these crimes requires continuous sharing, remembering, teaching as well as research. Education targeting all generations, in particular young people on the importance of safeguarding democracy and fundamental rights should draw on the lessons from these crimes. This also implies countering distortion, denial and trivialisation of the historical facts.

Among these atrocities, the Roma Holocaust—often overlooked or insufficiently acknowledged—requires dedicated attention. Remembering the Roma Holocaust (Porajmos) and other genocides is essential not only to honour the victims and survivors but also to address its lasting impact on the situation of Roma today who are significantly lagging behind in all areas of life.

The continued presence of antigypsyism and structural discrimination underscores the urgent need to integrate Roma history and memory into broader European narratives. The importance of initiatives raising awareness on the Roma genocide, advancing reconciliation efforts, helping to challenge prejudice is recalled by the EU Roma Strategic Framework and its aligned Council Recommendation.

During the Holocaust, amongst other minorities, LGBTIQ people were also persecuted by the Nazi regime, and were often imprisoned in concentration camps. In addition, many LGBTIQ people suffered severe abuse and forced labour, facing marginalization both during and after the war, with their experiences largely unrecognized for decades.

As a result, the history of LGBTIQ persons in Europe is marked by both struggle and resilience, shaped by periods of persecution as well as progress toward equality. The preservation and recognition of LGBTIQ history and memory are essential to building an inclusive European identity rooted in dignity, diversity, and human rights, thus acknowledging their vital role in Europe’s democratic and cultural legacy.

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.

• Education and training
• Public Administration
• Social Affairs & Human Rights
• Youth

• Associations
• Educational Institutions
• International Organisations
• Legal Entities
• NGOs
• Non Profit Organisations
• Other Beneficiaries
• Private Bodies
• State-owned Enterprises
• Training Centres

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