ERC Grant Scheme
After a careful evaluation process, conducted in cooperation with four independent experts and lasting over two months, the Western Balkans Fund is pleased to announce the final list of Empowering Regional Cooperation Grant winners.
The ERC Grants, co-funded by the European Union, represent the largest grant scheme ever launched by the Fund, with a total grant amount of up to €30,000 per project.
The Call, aimed at Civil Society Organizations, was launched on 9 May and remained open until 20 June 2024. A total of 277 Civil Society Organizations submitted applications, with 145 passing the eligibility test.
Following the evaluation panels in August and thorough negotiations with the grant winners, we are delighted to announce the successful organizations today.
To celebrate this occasion, the Western Balkans Fund will host a gala reception tomorrow, culminating in the Award Ceremony for the grantees.

Belgrade Center for Security Policy Project: Building Bridges: Empowering Youth in the WB The project contributes to integrate youth perspectives, foster regional partnerships and reconciliation, promote learning through interactive sessions, connect young leaders with experts, and enhance collaboration with CSOs, facilitating education, scientific exchange, and active citizenship in the Western Balkans. |

Journalist Association of Serbia Project: How to use AI in Media The project contributes to the efficient use of artificial intelligence, in accordance with professional standards, among young people who are preparing for journalistic work or are already working in the media, and consequently, to increase the efficiency of AI tool usage in the media. |

Centar za afirmaciju sporta i mladih Project: TEQ Balkan: Empowering CS in the WB through Sustainable Sport Initiatives The project contributes to strengthen regional cooperation among civil society organizations in the Western Balkans through targeted initiatives that promote healthy living, foster youth engagement, and support the inclusion of marginalized groups, ultimately driving sustainable development and community well-being. |

Alpha Centre Project: Strengthening Media Literacy to Counter Disinformation on EU Integration Among WB Youth The project contributes to enhance media literacy among students in the Western Balkans, supporting SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. It promotes critical engagement with media, combats disinformation, and fosters EU integration, contributing to informed citizenship and democratic processes. |

Chamber of Trade and Industry Project: ESG WB6 Promotion Platform The project contributes to promote and implement ESG practices across the Western Balkans through enhanced collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and non-profits. |

Institute for Social Policy “Musine Kokalari” Project: Decent Work Academy in WB The project contributes to foster regional cooperation among CSOs and Trade Unions to promote inclusive growth, sustainable development practices, enhance corporate sustainability and decent work in the Western Balkans by aligning regional practices with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and within the SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. |

Dis Theater Banja Luka Project: SPARK – Stage for Promoting Arts, Reconciliation, and Knowledge The project contributes to establishing regional cooperation, strengthening the capacities of the theatres through training and joint activities. Promote inclusivity and empower people with disabilities by actively involving them in the theatre’s work. Create and perform theatre productions that address the issues faced by persons with disabilities. |

Centar za psiholosku podrsku Sensus Project: Regional Talks about Mental Health The project contributes to develop regional cooperation with the aim of improving the mental health of marginalized groups. |

NGO Planktonium Project: Establishing waste management associations The project contributes to increase of capacity through workshops and trainings for CSOs, emphasizing cooperation, networking, and local context relevance assisting in organizational planning and programming, offering tailored training on project management skills for sustainable waste management. |

HERA – Health Education and Research Association Project: Empowering Youth for Democratic and Sustainable Futures in the Western Balkans The project contributes to strengthen regional partnerships and enhance CSO involvement in the WB, promoting democratic youth policies and active citizenship advocating for inclusive democracy, support young people, and foster a culture of cooperation and sustainable development, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive, democratic, and eco-conscious region. |

Council of the Albanian Ambassadors Project: Strengthening dialogue with CS for enhanced communication and cooperation in the WB. The project contributes to strengthen skills and knowledge for everyday diplomacy, enabling civil society representatives around the region to excel in positions of influence, to break new ground to better serve the region. |

Helsinki Committee Project: The Digitalization of Public Administration and Personal Data Protection: Approaching EU Integration Attentively The project contributes to highlight the necessary attention authorities should have concerning the digitalization of the public administration- as an implementation of the Western Balkan’s Green Agenda- and the risk personal data protection faces, caused by the insufficient cybersecurity measures and requirements. |