Grant opportunity
Common Ground Program Opportunity and Innovation Grants 2026
The European Fund for the Balkans is offering small rolling grants for civil society initiatives that foster dialogue, social cohesion and trust-building in the Western Balkans.
- Funder
- European Fund for the Balkans
- Rolling applications until 2 November 2026
- Rolling applications until 2 November 2026: Nov 2, 2026
- Award
- Up to EUR 4,500; 20 grants available
- Applicant
- Civil society organisations, grassroots initiatives and informal groups in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia; informal groups may apply with a registered organisation or fiscal host.
- Discipline
- Law, Governance and Human Rights
- Region
- Western Balkans
- Posted
- Jul 23, 2026
Call summary
Overview
Opportunity and Innovation Grants support timely, small-scale ideas that bridge social divides, strengthen dialogue and test promising approaches in the Western Balkans.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include registered civil society organisations and grassroots initiatives in the listed Western Balkan countries. Informal groups can apply through a registered partner or fiscal host.
What it supports
- Pilot projects, feasibility studies and proposals for larger funding.
- Rapid responses to emerging local challenges.
- Local initiatives that foster dialogue, trust, solidarity and social cohesion.
Funding and duration
- Grants are available up to EUR 4,500.
- The programme expects to support 20 grants in 2026.
- Activities should be completed within the programme timeline and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Rolling applications until 2 November 2026
Rolling applications until 2 November 2026: Nov 2, 2026
How to apply
Review the Common Ground Program information, prepare required registration or fiscal-host documents, and submit the online application before the rolling deadline.
Call details
Source-based overview
The European Fund for the Balkans invites civil society organisations and grassroots initiatives across the Western Balkans to apply for Opportunity and Innovation Grants under the Common Ground Program. The grants support innovative ideas that foster dialogue, strengthen social cohesion and bridge divisions within communities.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include registered civil society organisations and grassroots initiatives in the listed Western Balkan countries. Informal groups can apply through a registered partner or fiscal host.
Funding and benefits
Grants are available up to EUR 4,500.
The programme expects to support 20 grants in 2026.
Activities should be completed within the programme timeline and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Themes and supported activities
Pilot projects, feasibility studies and proposals for larger funding.
Rapid responses to emerging local challenges.
Local initiatives that foster dialogue, trust, solidarity and social cohesion.
Deadline and timeline
Rolling applications until 2 November 2026: Rolling applications until 2 November 2026: Nov 2, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Review the Common Ground Program information, prepare required registration or fiscal-host documents, and submit the online application before the rolling deadline.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.