Civil Society Fund
The Civil Society Fund (2026–2032) was created following the call to manage the EEA Grants’ Civil Society Fund in Portugal, a fund dedicated to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.
With a total allocation of €11.3 million, this fund for Civil Society Organisations is managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in consortium with the Bissaya Barreto Foundation. Its main objective is to support a dynamic and empowered civil society that protects and promotes democracy, the rule of law and human rights, while also fostering cooperation between Portuguese entities, intergovernmental organisations and the donor countries.
To benefit from this support, submitted projects must be implemented in Portugal, covering mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores.
Supported areas
Civil Society Organisations may apply for funding for projects falling within the following outcomes:
Advancing democratic values and the Rule of Law
Focused on increasing civic engagement and participation in democratic processes, as well as tackling disinformation, this outcome seeks to address declining trust in institutions, social polarisation and low levels of civic participation.
It includes awareness-raising activities, training and volunteering initiatives, as well as advocacy actions that strengthen social cohesion, inclusion and dialogue between communities. It also promotes the use of digital technologies and media literacy to combat disinformation. The aim is to empower civil society to participate in a more informed, active and inclusive way.
Promoting Human Rights
This priority area addresses discrimination and gender inequality, promotes social and environmental justice, and advances human rights. It also covers areas identified by the donor countries as priorities for Portugal, namely the inclusion and empowerment of refugees and migrants, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
Support is provided for initiatives that promote human rights, equality and dialogue between communities, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups and minorities. This includes training, awareness-raising and advocacy activities, as well as collaborative responses to disinformation and hate speech. It also promotes women’s leadership, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive rights. At the same time, it encourages civic participation and environmental action, strengthening the capacity of organisations and communities to act in a sustainable and inclusive way.
Enhancing Civil Society Organisations
This outcome centres on enhancing the governance, sustainability, collaboration and advocacy capacity of CSOs, while promoting networks, skills development, and the production and sharing of knowledge.
Support is provided to strengthen the capacity of CSOs through training, mentoring, and the improvement of internal processes and governance practices. It also promotes effective volunteer management, diversified funding sources, and greater recognition of the sector. In addition, it encourages the creation of partnerships, collaborative networks and cooperation platforms. The objective is to make these organisations more sustainable, impactful and better equipped to respond to social challenges.
In more than five decades of democracy, Portugal has built a remarkable path of economic and social progress, reflected in the expansion of rights, opportunities and quality of life. However, challenges such as trust in institutions and civic participation remind us that democracy is an ongoing construction, requiring continuous renewal and strengthening.
In a context of increasing polarization and fragmentation of the public sphere, it is essential to reinforce a democratic culture grounded in dialogue, participation and trust. We believe that civic engagement, interaction between different groups, and participation in collective decision-making contribute to a more cohesive and resilient society.
To this end, the Civil Society Fund plays a key role, supporting organizations and networks that promote active, informed and participatory citizenship, while strengthening democracy’s capacity to respond to present and future challenges.
The Fund will build on the work carried out under the Active Citizenship Programme (2013–2016), managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and the Active Citizens Fund (2018–2024), implemented in consortium with the Bissaya Barreto Foundation.