The new EEA Civil Society Fund Greece, with a total budget of €14.3 million, was officially launched with the opening event held on Wednesday 16 September 2026, at the Athens Conservatoire, in the presence of 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 is part of the contribution of the three donor countries to a more democratic, inclusive and resilient Europe.
The aim of the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece is to promote a dynamic and resilient Civil Society that protects and advances democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
The grant manager of the EEA Civil Society Fund in Greece is the Bodossaki Foundation, jointly with SolidarityNow.
Through a total of 12 open grant calls, the programme will fund more than 120 projects, while supporting organisations and initiatives that contribute to the protection and promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
At the same time, the capacity of organisations to respond to contemporary social challenges and to participate actively in public dialogue will be strengthened.
The first four calls
As part of the event, the first four open grant calls were presented, with a total budget of €5.1 million, for the following thematic priorities:
- Promoting Media Pluralism and Strengthening Information Integrity – €800,000, to support initiatives that promote media pluralism and freedom and the integrity of information.
- Promoting Human Rights, Social Justice and Combating Discrimination – €2 million, to support projects that strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights, social justice and combating discrimination, as well as immediate response actions to urgent challenges.
- Organisational Grants to Civil Society Organisations that Promote Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights – €2.2 million, to support the institutional capacity, operational resilience and long-term sustainability of established organisations.
- Active Citizen Participation Actions – €100,000, to support small organisations in implementing participatory and inclusive initiatives that strengthen the active participation of citizens in public affairs.
Interested organisations may submit their applications until 15 December 2026.
A new cycle of support and cooperation
At the launch event of the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece, which will run until 2031, its objectives and actions were presented, as well as the different tools through which Civil Society organisations will be supported.
These are the Capacity Building, Regional Cooperation and Bilateral Cooperation Programmes, which will offer opportunities for the development of organisational capacities, networking and cooperation at national and European level.
As part of the event, a discussion was also held on the topic “Reliability of Information and Human Rights”, with the participation of Ambassador Jan Braathu, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Linos-Alexandros Sisilianos, 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, freedom of the media and the protection of human rights for the functioning of a strong and resilient democracy.
Greetings were delivered by Athina Desypri, President of the Bodossaki Foundation, Stelios Zavos, President of SolidarityNow, and H.E. Harriet Elisabeth Berg, Ambassador of Norway to Greece.
Athina Desypri stated that the launch of the EEA Civil Society Fund Greece “marks the beginning of a new and important chapter for Civil Society in Greece”, thanking the donor countries for their longstanding support for democracy, human rights and Civil Society in the country.
Referring to the selection of the Bodossaki Foundation, for the third time, as Programme Grant Manager of an EEA Grants programme, she stressed that the objectives of the CSF are aligned with the Foundation’s vision for a
as Programme Grant Manager of an EEA Grants programme, she stressed that the objectives of the CSF are aligned with the Foundation’s vision for a society of equal opportunities, with possibilities and prospects for all, while also underlining the Foundation’s commitment to the effective use of funding and the creation of long-term impact. “At a time of increasing polarisation, we will invest in initiatives that bring people together, strengthen social cohesion and democratic participation,” she noted.
O Stelios Zavos, stated: “The EEA Civil Society Fund Greece is an important investment in the organisations and people who work every day for a more democratic, inclusive and fair society.
At a time of complex challenges, the need for organisations that defend human rights and strengthen citizen participation in public dialogue is more urgent than ever. Because a strong and independent Civil Society lies at the heart of a resilient democracy.
As SolidarityNow, we are particularly proud that, together with the Bodossaki Foundation, we are once again undertaking the management of this important programme, which we will implement with transparency, meritocracy and meaningful cooperation with Civil Society. For us, organisations are not merely recipients of funding. They are our partners and, above all, the agents of the change we want to see in society”.
The Ambassador of Norway to Greece, Harriet E. Berg, stated: “Democracy is not a given. Across Europe, we observe intense pressure on Civil Society, increasing disinformation and continuous efforts to undermine trust in democratic institutions.
Through the EEA Grants Civil Society Fund, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are making a clear choice: to stand by citizens, democratic institutions and human rights. In Europe, we have allocated a total of €327 million to 15 countries. In Greece, our support exceeds €36 million over the last 15 years, contributing to building a stronger and more resilient Civil Society”.