Open Call: SCOPE Small Grants Program (Moldova)

The SCOPE Small Grants Program provides grants of €12,500 to €16,700 to local and community-level civil society organizations in Moldova working to strengthen democratic participation, civic engagement, human rights, and public oversight during the country’s EU accession process. Funded projects must operate at the local or regional level in Moldova, last 6–12 months, and promote inclusive participation, particularly among youth, minorities, rural communities, and other underrepresented groups. What Is the SCOPE Small Grants Program? The SCOPE Small Grants Program supports local civil society organizations (CSOs) in Moldova that contribute to democratic participation and civic engagement during the country’s European Union accession process. The programme is implemented by Promo-LEX Association in partnership with the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Center for Independent Journalism, and ARTICLE 19, with funding from the European Union. The initiative aims to strengthen the ability of local CSOs to:

Participate in democratic processes

Engage communities in Moldova’s EU accession journey. Represent the needs of underrepresented communities. Strengthen civic participation and public oversight. Why Does the SCOPE Program Matter? Moldova’s EU accession process involves reforms that affect communities at national, regional, and local levels. Local civil society organizations can help communities understand these reforms, participate in decision-making, and monitor whether commitments are being implemented effectively. The SCOPE programme therefore focuses on community-level civic engagement, rather than supporting projects that operate only at a national level. The programme particularly encourages participation from groups that may have limited representation in public decision-making. What Projects Does SCOPE Support? Projects should contribute directly to democratic participation, civic engagement, or Moldova’s EU accession process.

Eligible activities may include:

Civic education on human rights and democratic processes. Public awareness campaigns about European integration. Community participation in reform processes. Monitoring implementation of EU accession criteria. Number of public officials or stakeholders engaged.

6. Prepare a Realistic Budget

The proposed budget should fall between €12,500 and €16,700.

Every expense should be:

Necessary for project implementation. Reasonable. Based on realistic market prices. Consistent with the project activities. Because projects are VAT-exempt, applicants should prepare budgets without incorrectly adding VAT. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing projects that operate primarily at the national rather than local or regional level. Failing to demonstrate a connection with Moldova’s EU accession process. Designing activities without clear community beneficiaries. Ignoring the participation of underrepresented groups. Submitting budgets outside the €12,500–€16,700 range. Including unrealistic or poorly justified costs. Including VAT in the budget when projects are exempt. Applying without evidence of completing a project of similar complexity and budget. Submitting applications from an ineligible organization type. Proposing activities that are primarily political-party or religious activities. Tips for a Strong Application A competitive proposal should clearly show: A well-defined local problem. A strong understanding of the target community. A direct connection to democratic participation or EU accession. Meaningful involvement of community members. Inclusion of youth, minorities, rural residents, or other underrepresented groups where relevant. Practical and achievable activities. Measurable outcomes. A realistic and cost-effective budget. The organization’s previous experience managing comparable projects. A clear plan for sustainability and continued community engagement. SCOPE Small Grants Program at a Glance

Programme: SCOPE Small Grants Program

Country: Moldova

Funding range: €12,500–€16,700 per project

Total round budget: €100,000

Project duration: 6–12 months

Earliest start: November 16, 2026

Completion deadline: December 31, 2027

Geographic focus: Local and regional level in Moldova

Primary applicants: Local and community-level Moldovan CSOs

Key themes: EU accession, democracy, civic participation, human rights, rule of law, media freedom and community engagement

VAT: Funded projects are VAT-exempt

Frequently Asked Questions What is the SCOPE Small Grants Program? The SCOPE Small Grants Program is a Moldova-focused funding initiative supporting local and community-level CSOs that strengthen democratic participation, civic engagement, and community involvement in the country’s EU accession process. How much funding can an organization receive? Organizations can request between €12,500 and €16,700 per project. The total funding available for the round is €100,000. Who can apply for SCOPE grants? Eligible applicants are legally registered Moldovan public associations or NGOs operating at the local or community level and with relevant experience in areas such as democracy, civic education, human rights, rule of law, and media freedom. What types of projects are supported? Supported projects may include civic education, EU integration awareness campaigns, community participation in reforms, monitoring of EU accession criteria, policy development, public debates, and activities that increase participation among underrepresented groups. How long can a SCOPE-funded project last? Projects must have a duration of 6 to 12 months. Implementation may begin as early as November 16, 2026, and projects must be completed by December 31, 2027. Can organizations outside Moldova apply? No. Applicants must be legally registered in Moldova. NGOs registered outside Moldova are not eligible. Are political parties or government institutions eligible? No. Political parties, government and public institutions, religious organizations, charit