Call for Project Proposals: LGBTQI+ Organizations and Groups across the Eastern Partnership Region

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

RFSL is offering small grants of up to 100,000 SEK to bi+, intersex, lesbian, and trans*-led groups and organizations working with LGBTQI+ communities in the Eastern Partnership region. The funding supports grassroots community mobilization, organizational capacity strengthening, advocacy, safe spaces, service provision, content creation, and documentation, with priority given to smaller community-led groups and historically underrepresented communities, including people displaced or living in exile due to conflict or security risks. The Queer Solidarity in Eastern Partnership: Beyond National and Regional Borders programme is established by RFSL, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Rights. The programme aims to support LGBTQI+ communities facing underrepresentation, limited resources, increasing threats to democracy and human rights, and other challenges across the Eastern Partnership region. The grant provides resources for grassroots groups, initiatives, and organizations seeking to strengthen their influence on LGBTQI+ agendas at national, regional, and international levels.

Eligible applicants can receive:

For unregistered groups, RFSL will cover the fiscal host’s administrative costs in addition to the grant amount. The grant itself must be used exclusively for project activities and related costs and cannot be used to pay fiscal host fees. The funding can support activities that strengthen LGBTQI+ communities, their organizations, and their ability to advocate for their rights.

Supported activities may include:

The grant can cover reasonable project-related costs, including: The programme does not support certain activities and expenses.

These include:

Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities directly support the programme’s objectives and eligible LGBTQI+ community work. The grant is intended for groups and organizations that meet the programme’s community and geographic requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

The programme particularly prioritizes smaller grassroots and community-led groups. Projects must be based in or work within the Eastern Partnership countries, which include: Groups working with community members from these countries who are living in exile may also be eligible, provided their work remains focused on the Eastern Partnership region. The programme gives particular attention to: Proposals should clearly demonstrate that the project is: Applicants should clearly explain the community need being addressed and how the proposed activities will strengthen the capacity, visibility, participation, or influence of the communities involved. The grant is designed to provide flexible support for practical community-led work. Organizations may use the funding for activities such as developing advocacy campaigns, organizing community activities, strengthening organizational capacity, creating safe spaces, producing LGBTQI+ content, documenting community histories, and providing relevant community services. Projects should maintain a clear connection between the requested funding, proposed activities, and intended community outcomes. Applicants should carefully consider the following requirements: Applicants can strengthen their proposals by: The Queer Solidarity in Eastern Partnership: Beyond National and Regional Borders programme provides small grants to LGBTQI+ community groups and organizations working in or with communities connected to the Eastern Partnership region. Applicants can receive up to 100,000 SEK for an eligible project. Projects can last for up to 8 months. The earliest project start date is 15 February 2027. All funded projects must be completed by 15 October 2027. The programme covers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Unregistered groups can be supported through a fiscal host, subject to the programme’s requirements. RFSL will cover the fiscal host’s administrative costs in addition to the grant amount. Yes. Staff salaries are among the eligible project-related costs. Pride events cannot be the main focus of a funded project. No. Humanitarian and emergency support are not eligible for funding. Yes. Groups working with community members from the Eastern Partnership region who are displaced or living in exile may be eligible, provided their work remains focused on the region. The programme prioritizes smaller grassroots and community-led groups, particularly those working with historically underrepresented LGBTQI+ communities. The Queer Solidarity in Eastern Partnership grant provides up to 100,000 SEK for grassroots LGBTQI+ groups and organizations working across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and related communities in exile. The funding can help strengthen community mobilization, advocacy, organizational capacity, safe spaces, services, and LGBTQI+ community representation while supporting locally driven responses to challenges affecting LGBTQI+ communities in the region. For more information, visit RFSL.