The European Commission is now accepting grant proposals to support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in South Africa. The programme aims to foster active citizenship and promote development that is meaningful, equitable, sustainable, inclusive, and rooted in shared values.
Objectives
The programme is designed to:
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Enable CSOs to effectively initiate, lead, and promote participatory development and planning.
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Strengthen the capacity of local communities.
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Enhance CSOs’ ability to advocate for an enabling environment, particularly in relation to reducing CO₂ emissions.
Priority Areas
Priority will be given to proposals that:
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Share knowledge and enhance understanding of the Global Gateway Investment Package and its benefits.
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Pilot local economic policies and community projects that help transition communities away from unsustainable resource dependency—supporting a just transition to new social and economic models.
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Promote youth and women’s employability and entrepreneurship.
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Support the development and implementation of justice-oriented policies in the context of the Just Transition.
Funding Information
Total available funding: EUR 3,625,000
Individual grant amounts must fall within the following range:
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Minimum: EUR 500,000
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Maximum: EUR 1,000,000
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Have legal recognition and identification.
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Be non-profit in nature.
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Be one of the following:
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A non-governmental organisation (NGO)
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A public sector operator
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A local authority
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Organisations must be legally established in South Africa, a member state of the European Union, or another eligible country as defined under the relevant EU instruments (NDICI-GE, CIR, IPA III, DOAG, Ukraine Facility, etc.).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the official application link.
Deadline: September 30, 2025
The European Commission is inviting grant proposals to support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in South Africa, aiming to promote active citizenship and equitable, sustainable development. The program focuses on enabling CSOs to lead participatory development, strengthening local community capacity, and advocating for reduced CO₂ emissions. Prioritization will be given to proposals that enhance understanding of the Global Gateway Investment Package, pilot local economic policies, promote youth and women's employability, and support justice-oriented policies.
A total of EUR 3,625,000 is available for funding, with individual grants ranging from EUR 500,000 to EUR 1,000,000. Eligible applicants must be legally recognized, non-profit entities such as NGOs, public sector operators, or local authorities, established in South Africa, an EU member state, or other eligible countries. Applications should be submitted online by September 30, 2025.
