Matching Grants Scheme for Regional Cooperation and Cross-Border Initiatives

Deadline: 31-Aug-2026

The Matching Grants Scheme, established by the Western Balkans Fund (WBF), provides co-financing for initiatives that strengthen regional cooperation, dialogue, social cohesion, and sustainable collaboration across the Western Balkans. Eligible non-profit organisations and public entities can request up to €10,000, provided the grant does not exceed 50% of the total eligible project cost. What Is the Matching Grants Scheme? The Matching Grants Scheme is a co-financing programme of the Western Balkans Fund designed to help promising initiatives expand from local or national activities to a broader regional or international level. The scheme supports projects that bring organisations and communities from the Western Balkans closer together through cooperation, dialogue, knowledge exchange, and joint action. It uses additional donor funding to increase the impact of existing resources and encourage shared ownership, partnerships, and long-term regional collaboration. The programme covers the six Western Balkans Contracting Parties, commonly referred to as the WB6 region. Why Does the Matching Grants Scheme Matter? Regional cooperation remains important for strengthening relationships, reducing divisions, and creating opportunities for people and organisations across the Western Balkans. The Matching Grants Scheme is designed to: Strengthen cooperation among Western Balkans organisations. Promote regional dialogue and mutual understanding. Expand successful initiatives beyond their original location. Increase the regional and European visibility of successful initiatives. Encourage new civil society actors to become regional leaders. Create synergies between different donors and development partners. The scheme therefore focuses not only on financing an individual project, but also on creating long-term regional partnerships and sustainable cooperation. What Types of Projects Are Supported? Projects must address issues relevant to the WB6 region and contribute to regional cooperation and the development of lasting networks. The scheme supports three principal areas of intervention. Cultural Cooperation Projects may promote cultural exchange and cooperation between organisations and communities across the Western Balkans.

Potential activities can include:

Regional cultural cooperation. Cross-border cultural initiatives. Exchange programmes. Joint cultural activities. Initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding. Education and Scientific Exchange The scheme can support initiatives that encourage cooperation in education, research, science, and knowledge sharing.

Relevant activities may include:

Academic exchanges. Scientific cooperation. Knowledge-sharing initiatives. Regional educational networks. Joint research-related activities. Sustainable Development Projects can also focus on sustainable development issues that require cooperation between countries or communities. Such initiatives should demonstrate a clear regional dimension and contribute to long-term cooperation among participating organisations. What Is the Regional Focus? A central requirement is that projects must be relevant to the Western Balkans as a region.

Projects should contribute to:

Intra-regional cooperation. Civil society networking. Cross-border collaboration. Dialogue among organisations and communities. Long-term relationships between the WBF Contracting Parties. A project that benefits only one organisation or one local community without a meaningful regional dimension is unlikely to fit the core purpose of the scheme. How Much Funding Is Available? The maximum grant available under the Matching Grants Scheme is: Up to €10,000 per project. Approximately US$10,800, depending on the applicable exchange rate. The WBF contribution must not exceed 50% of the total eligible cost of the action. This means applicants must provide or secure additional financing for at least the remaining portion of the eligible project budget. For example, if a project has total eligible costs of €20,000, a €10,000 WBF grant could represent the maximum 50% contribution. If the total eligible project cost is €30,000, the WBF contribution would still be capped at €10,000. What Is the Project Duration? Projects must have an initial planned duration of: At least 2 months. No more than 4 months. The duration is calculated from the signing of the contract and includes the reporting period. Applicants should therefore ensure that proposed activities and reporting can realistically be completed within the permitted timeframe. Who Is Eligible? Lead applicants must meet the scheme’s legal, geographical, and organisational requirements.

Eligible lead applicants must:

Be a legal person. Be established in one or more of the WB6 Contracting Parties. Be non-profitmaking. Fall within one of the eligible organisational categories.

Eligible applicant categories include:

Civil society organisations (CSOs). Non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Local public entities. Regional public entities. Associations of local or regional public entities. *The designation is used in the context of the Western Balkans Fund and does not prejudge positions on status. What Makes a Project Suitable for the Scheme? A strong project should demonstrate more than a local benefit. The proposal should show how the initiative will: Connect organisations from different Western Balkans countries. Strengthen regional networks. Encourage cooperation and dialogue. Address a shared regional issue. Create opportunities for knowledge or experience exchange. Build relationships that can continue after the grant ends. Increase the visibility and impact of an existing or promising initiative. The scheme is particularly relevant when additional funding can help an existing idea scale up or gain regional reach. How Does the Matching Grants Scheme Work? The programme operates on a co-financing model.

The basic structure is:

An organisation develops a project with a clear r