EEA Civil Society Fund Programme to Be Launched in Slovakia Soon

Bratislava, 14 December (TASR) - A European Economic Area (EEA) Civil Society Fund programme focused on strengthening civil society organisations in Slovakia is to be launched soon, distributing €9.7 million through seven grant calls until 2029, EEA Civil Society Fund communications manager Lucia Hasbach told TASR earlier this week. The programme agreement was entered into by representatives of the donor countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – along with a Slovak consortium led by the Ekopolis Foundation. "The EEA Civil Society Fund programme is aimed at strengthening civil society organisations that contribute to developing democracy, protecting human rights and promoting active citizenship in Slovakia," said Hasbach, adding that other key areas of support are promoting democratic values, civil society participation in decision-making processes and combating discrimination. "Also included are pre-defined projects, bilateral cooperation and regional initiatives," she added. The programme is supported from the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms for 2021-2028. In Slovakia, it will be implemented by a consortium of the Ekopolis Foundation, the Carpathian Foundation and the Open Society Foundation Bratislava. Ekopolis Foundation director Peter Medved said that a functioning civil society is essential for a stable democracy, "We are also pleased that our consortium has earned the trust of the donor countries and is being launched as the first programme within the financial mechanisms in fifteen beneficiary countries," added Medved. The EEA Civil Society Fund programme will be officially launched in January 2026 at an opening event along with publishing the first grant calls. jrg/df