Call for Support to Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights and Democracy (Cambodia)

The European Commission is offering grants to non-profit civil society organisations for locally led initiatives that strengthen civil society participation and sustainability or protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and civic participation in Cambodia. The call has an indicative budget of €5,993,000, with grants ranging from €300,000 to €850,000 depending on the selected lot. The call focuses on civil society participation in governance and development, collective representation, public policy dialogue, organisational sustainability, equitable partnerships, grassroots access to support, human rights defenders, victims and communities at risk, fundamental freedoms, civic participation, rights-based accountability, community consultation, evidence-based advocacy, coalition-building, legal support, psychosocial assistance, protection responses and community-based human rights awareness. The call forms part of the European Union’s 2021–2027 cooperation framework for Cambodia and its Civil Society Roadmap. It responds to challenges including reduced funding opportunities, constraints on civic space and unequal access to resources among civil society actors. The call recognizes the importance of local organisations in public participation, governance, development dialogue, human rights protection and community accountability.

The call seeks to:

Applicants must apply under either Lot 1 or Lot 2. A proposal cannot target both lots. Each action must address at least one priority under the chosen lot. Lot 1 supports civil society participation in governance, public decision-making and development processes.

Priority areas include:

Grants under Lot 1 range from €600,000 to €850,000. Lot 2 supports actions that protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and civic participation. Grants under Lot 2 range from €300,000 to €500,000. Depending on the selected lot, proposed actions may include: Activities must be relevant to the selected lot and at least one of its stated priorities. Actions must principally take place in Cambodia. Limited activities may be conducted outside Cambodia when they: Applicants should ensure that the principal project benefits remain within Cambodia. The European Union contribution must generally cover at least 51% and no more than 90% of total eligible project costs. A contribution of up to 95% may be requested when all applicants and affiliated entities satisfy the location conditions established in the official guidelines. Applicants must identify eligible sources for the remaining project costs and comply with the call’s co-financing requirements.

Proposed actions must last:

Applications proposing a duration outside this range will not meet the stated requirements.

The lead applicant must be:

Applicants should consult the official guidelines for complete eligibility requirements affecting co-applicants and affiliated entities. For Lot 1, the lead applicant must be established in: The provided information does not specify separate establishment conditions for Lot 2. Applicants should verify the complete Lot 2 nationality and establishment rules in the official guidelines. A lead applicant not established in Cambodia must apply with at least two local co-applicants. A lead applicant established in Cambodia must apply with at least one co-applicant. These rules apply to proposals under either lot.

Applicants should clearly describe:

Competitive proposals should demonstrate meaningful local ownership rather than treating Cambodian organisations only as implementing partners. Actions may strengthen local leadership through: Cambodian civil society organisations operate in an environment affected by shrinking funding, civic-space constraints and unequal access to resources. This call provides substantial multi-year funding for initiatives that strengthen local organisations, improve public participation, protect human rights and enable community voices to influence development and governance. Its partnership requirements also create opportunities to place Cambodian actors at the centre of programme design, implementation and decision-making.

Applicants should follow these steps:

The application deadline and detailed submission stages are not included in the provided information and must be confirmed on the official European Commission page. What is the total budget available under the call? The overall indicative allocation is €5,993,000. How much funding is available under Lot 1? Lot 1 grants range from €600,000 to €850,000. How much funding is available under Lot 2? Lot 2 grants range from €300,000 to €500,000. Can one proposal address both lots? No. Applicants must select only one lot and address at least one of its priorities. How long can a project run? An action must last at least 24 months and no more than 48 months. Can an organisation based outside Cambodia serve as the lead applicant? Yes, subject to the applicable establishment rules. A lead applicant not established in Cambodia must work with at least two local co-applicants. How much of the project cost can the European Union fund? The requested contribution may generally cover 51%–90% of eligible costs. It may reach 95% where all applicants and affiliated entities meet the location conditions specified in the guidelines. The European Commission’s Support to Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights and Democracy call provides substantial multi-year funding for locally led work in Cambodia. Eligible nonprofit civil society organisations should select the most relevant lot, form a compliant partnership, demonstrate meaningful Cambodian leadership and prepare an action that strengthens civil society participation, sustainability, human rights or fundamental freedoms. For more information, visit the European Commission Funding and Tenders Portal.