After a long and comprehensive evaluation process that started back in April, immediately of the closure of the deadline of the applications (13 March-20 April) the Western Balkans Fund is pleased to announce today the winners of the Grant for Grassroots Initiatives Grant Scheme, (also known as the 8th Annual Call for Proposals).
This process once again highlighted the strong interest, creativity and commitment of civil society organisations, grassroots actors and local initiatives across the Western Balkans to contribute to regional cooperation, people-to-people links and positive change in their communities.
The 24 winning projects were selected among 264 applications submitted from across the region, making this one of the most competitive grant schemes implemented by the Western Balkans Fund to date.
The Grant for Grassroots Initiatives also stood out for its remarkable geographic diversity. Applicants came from a record-high 121 locations throughout the Western Balkans, confirming that regional cooperation is not limited to capitals or major urban centres, but is increasingly rooted in local communities, smaller municipalities and grassroots organisations.
The selected projects will address a wide range of themes relevant to the region’s social, cultural and civic development. Through their activities, the new grantees are expected to strengthen cooperation across borders, create new partnerships, empower local communities and generate lasting impact beyond the duration of the grants.
We are confident that the new grantees will make a meaningful and long-lasting contribution to the mission of the Western Balkans Fund: bringing people closer together through cooperation, dialogue and shared regional initiatives.
The Western Balkans Fund looks forward to supporting the implementation of these projects and to sharing their results, stories and impact in the months ahead.
The GGI Grants are co-funded by the European Union, through IPA III – Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, under the Civil Society Facility and Media Programme for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
