The €14.3m EEA Civil Society Fund Greece officially launched at an opening event on Wednesday 16 September 2026, at the Athens Conservatoire, attended by representatives of Civil Society, as well as public and institutional bodies.

The programme is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway under the EEA Grants and forms part of the three Donor country contribution towards a more democratic, inclusive, and resilient Europe. The aim of the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece is to foster a vibrant and resilient Civil Society that protects and promotes democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The Fund Operator for the EEA Civil Society Fund in Greece is the Bodossaki Foundation, in consortium with SolidarityNow.

Through a total of 12 open calls for grant applications, the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece will fund more than 120 projects, support organisations and initiatives that contribute to the protection and promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, whilst strengthening organisations’ capacity to respond to contemporary social challenges and to participate actively in public dialogue.

Open calls for grant applications

The event featured the presentation of the programme’s first four open calls for grant applications, totalling €5.1m across the following thematic priorities:

• Promoting Media Pluralism and Strengthening Information Integrity – €800,000, supporting initiatives that foster media freedom and pluralism, and information integrity.
• Advancing Human Rights, Social Justice, and Anti-Discrimination – €2m, supporting projects that strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights, social justice, and the fight against discrimination, as well as fast-response actions for urgent challenges.
• Organisational Grants to Civil Society Organisations that Promote Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights – €2.2m, supporting the institutional capacity, operational resilience, and long-term sustainability of established organisations.
• Community Engagement Actions – €100,000, supporting small organisations in implementing participatory and inclusive initiatives that boost active citizen engagement in public affairs.

Interested organisations may submit their applications by 15 December 2026. Further information on the open calls and the application process is available here.

A new cycle of support and collaboration

The launch event for the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece, which will run until 2031, presented its objectives and actions alongside the various tools designed to support Civil Society organisations: Capacity Building, Regional Cooperation, and Bilateral Partnerships, which will offer opportunities for organisational capacity building, networking, and cooperation at both national and European levels.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Information Integrity and Human Rights”, with the participation of Ambassador Jan Braathu, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos, President of the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights, Professor at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and former President of the European Court of Human Rights. The discussion highlighted the importance of access to reliable information, media freedom, and the protection of human rights for a robust and resilient democracy.

Welcome addresses were delivered by Athina Dessypri, President of the Bodossaki Foundation, Stelios Zavvos, Chairman of the Board, SolidarityNow, and H.E. Harriet Elisabeth Berg, Ambassador of Norway to Greece.

“Today’s launch of the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece marks the beginning of a significant new chapter for Civil Society in Greece”, stated Athina Dessypri, extending her gratitude to the donor countries for their enduring support for democracy, human rights, and Civil Society in our country. Referring to the selection of the Bodossaki Foundation, for the third time, as Fund Operator for an EEA Grants programme, she emphasised that the CSF’s objectives align with the Foundation’s vision for a society of equal opportunities, with possibilities and prospects for all. She also underlined the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring the effective deployment of funds and generating a long-term impact. “At a time of rising polarisation, we will invest in initiatives that unite people, strengthen social cohesion, and deepen democratic participation,” she noted.

Stelios Zavvos stated:

“The EEA Civil Society Fund Greece represents a significant investment in the organisations and people who work daily towards a more democratic, inclusive, and fair society. At a time of complex challenges, the need for organisations that defend human rights and promote citizen participation in public dialogue is more pressing than ever. Because a strong and independent Civil Society lies at the heart of a resilient democracy. At SolidarityNow, we are particularly proud to join forces once again with the Bodossaki Foundation to manage this crucial programme, which we will implement with transparency, meritocracy, and meaningful collaboration with Civil Society. For us, organisations are not mere recipients of funding. They are our partners and, above all, the agents of the change we wish to see in society.”

The Ambassador of Norway to Greece, Harriet E. Berg, stated:

“Democracy cannot be taken for granted. Across Europe, we are witnessing severe pressure on Civil Society, a rise in disinformation, and constant attempts to undermine trust in democratic institutions. Through the EEA Grants Civil Society Fund, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are making a clear choice: to stand alongside citizens, democratic institutions, and human rights. We have allocated a total of €327m to 15 countries across Europe. In Greece, our support has exceeded €36m over the past 15 years, helping build a stronger and more resilient Civil Society.”