CAN EECCA (Climate Action Network Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia) is pleased to announce the launch of an open call for Mini Grants Program aimed at supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) within our network.
Our mission is to increase the capacity of our members to influence climate policy, promote advocacy activities, lead community-oriented solutions and enhance cross-border collaborations within the region.
We invite applications from our members working on topics such as:
1. NDC 3.0 Update: Engaging in the development and strengthening of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through civil society consultations, public participation, and advocacy to ensure more ambitious, inclusive, just and actionable climate plans in accordance with CAN guidelines for NDCs 3.0.
2. Just Transition: Supporting initiatives that promote the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. We support fair and inclusive approaches that protect the rights and livelihoods of workers and communities affected by the energy transition, promoting green job creation, fostering social dialogue, ensuring participation of vulnerable groups in decision-making processes, and advocating for policies that balance environmental goals with social and economic justice.
3. Civil Society Development: Strengthening the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in climate action by building their capacities, fostering leadership, enhancing collaboration and networking, and increasing their influence in policy-making spaces. Examples of eligible projects include:
● Youth leadership programs that engage young people in climate policy discussions and decision-making.
● Establishing local forums for marginalized communities to voice their concerns and collaborate with policymakers.
● Facilitating coalition-building efforts among different CSOs to promote collective action on climate and social justice issues.
● Empowering local women’s groups to lead climate adaptation and resilience initiatives in their communities.
4. Addressing Community Challenges: Supporting local, community-led solutions to climate and development issues, with a focus on inclusion, resilience, and empowering marginalized groups. Examples of eligible projects include:
● Developing and implementing community-based climate adaptation strategies that address local vulnerabilities (e.g., flooding, droughts).
● Establishing early warning systems and resilience-building programs for communities facing climate-related hazards.
● Implementing projects that reduce energy poverty, such as providing access to affordable, clean energy solutions for rural or underserved areas.
● Supporting community-led waste management or water conservation projects to mitigate environmental degradation.
● Building local networks to help communities share knowledge and resources for tackling climate-related challenges.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Membership in the CAN EECCA network.
- Official registration as a CSO capable of receiving money transfers from Kyrgyzstan. In case the registration of the organisation is impossible due to the country laws, please provide a partner NGO which can host your initiative.
- Proved capacity to implement the proposed idea by the end of 2025.
- Possession of a specific idea aligned with the topics and mission of the program.
- Compliance with the cross-border cooperation requirement: applicants must demonstrate how their proposed idea can foster cooperation between at least 2 EECCA countries or members. Collaboration may take various forms, such as joint events, consultations, or cross-posting on social networks.
Grant Details:
- Four organizations will be selected to receive a mini-grant up to 2,000 EUR each.
- The decision on grant recipients will be made by the CAN EECCA Board.
- Successful applicants will receive 90% of the allocated budget upon signing the contract, with the remaining 10% disbursed upon submission of the final report no later than December 10, 2025.
The criteria for choosing the project will be:
- Compliance with the eligibility criteria
- The organization’s professional reputation
- Concrete outcomes and the understanding of influence the project can bring
- Correctly filled application form and budget
Application Deadline and Process:
- Applicants must carefully complete the application form, including a budget form, and submit it no later than June 8, 2024, 23:59 Bishkek time.
- Results of the selection process will be communicated to all applicants no later than June 23, 2025.
Project Funding:
The small grants program is conducted within the framework of the project “Commitment to climate protection in Kyrgyzstan and the region of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia,” funded by the international agency “Bread for the World.”
We encourage all eligible CSOs within the CAN EECCA network to seize this opportunity to advance climate action and strengthen civil society across our region.
If you have any questions regarding application, please contact gulnara@caneecca.org.
To apply for the grant:
- Download and fill out the budget form indicating realistic project budget
- Fill out the application form and upload the budget form within the indicated deadline
