With a budget of €11.3 million until 2032, the fund will support non-governmental organisations that promote democratic values, human rights and equality, while also stimulating capacity building in the sector. 

This new initiative will continue the work of the Active Citizenship Programmes (2013–2016), managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and Active Citizens (2018–2024), already operated in consortium with the Bissaya Barreto Foundation. These programmes have been instrumental in strengthening civil society in Portugal, having supported hundreds of projects that promoted inclusion, democratic participation and the defence of fundamental rights. 

The launch of the first calls for proposals will be announced in due course, at which time the conditions for access will also be disclosed. 

The EEA Grants are the financial mechanism through which Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway support European Union Member States facing greater economic and social challenges.