The fund underscores how civil society can empower all of us to build a better future, starting today. The EEA Civil Society Fund is designed to empower civil society organisations across Europe, to support their effortsto uphold human rights, strengthen democracy, and reinforce the rule of law. The fund will distribute more than €300 million across 15 countries, with a particular focus on addressing some of the most urgent challenges of our time.
Through this fund, grassroots organisations can access essential resources, enabling them to reach out to communities historically marginalised by society, combat inequalities, and foster greater civic engagement. Beyond the financial resources, the fund aims to nurture organisational development and collaboration, recognising that resilient democracies are built on active and inclusive civic participation. By fostering partnerships and amplifying diverse voices, it seeks to inspire hope and lasting positive change.
The EEA Civil Society Fund aligns closely with this year’s Human Rights Day message, that human rights are not just ideals but solutions. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres reminds us, “Human Rights are the foundation for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.”
This fund is a tangible expression of that vision, empowering civil society to act as a protective and transformative force for good.
Human Rights Lens is a project in Bulgaria supported by the Grants that developed an interactive methodology to teach Human Rights by encouraging youth to use a photo and video lab to develop their ideas. ©️ Students from Montana, Bulgaria: https://humanrights-education.org/en/2023/10/27/human-rights-lens-photo-album/
For organisations championing equality, inclusion, and justice, this fund offers resources as well as recognition of their vital role in creating a fairer, more just society. It also offers a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and serves as a rallying point for governments, citizens, and civil society organisations to protect civic space and defend democratic values.
Strengthening human rights is a long-standing priority of the EEA and Norway Grants. The previous civil society programme for example supported the "Human Rights Lens" initiative by Partners Bulgaria Foundation. The project developed an interactive methodology for human rights education. Through this initiative, young people created videos in and with their communities to draw attention to the challenges they experienced to their rights and freedoms. In 2023, the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science approved this human rights training program and included it in the register of qualification programs for educational professionals. There have been other similar initiatives across Europe, including supporting women in Greece to know and claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights, and supporting LGBTQIA+ people in Poland to assemble and stand up for their rights. These are just a few examples from the more than 2,800 projects funded in the previous civil society programme.
As we reflect on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights' enduring principles, let us remember that the fight for human rights belongs to all of us. The EEA Civil Society Fund provides a crucial platform and much-needed support for those working tirelessly to uphold the dignity and rights for all of us, including those of us historically marginalised by society. This is essential for building the future we all deserve.
With collective action and renewed commitment, we can protect and promote the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – right now, and for our future.
Find out more about the EEA Civil Society Fund here: https://eeagrants.org/news/new-civil-society-fund-launched-iceland-liechtenstein-and-norway-unprecedented-commitment