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New Opportunities for NGO Financial Sustainability

We are excited to share this new opportunity for NGOs to build their capacity to become financially sustainable! On behalf of the program operator of the Mechanism for Civic Engagement and Transparency, we are announcing the opening of applications for Grant Scheme 2 “Financially Sustainable Civil Society – Together for Causes”, funded by the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Program. The scheme aims to help associations, foundations, and community centers build more sustainable fundraising models, expand their donor base, and reduce their dependence on project funding.

At the heart of the scheme is the idea that sustainable organizations are those that succeed in attracting support from their communities, building long-term relationships with donors, and developing their own models for financially supporting their causes.

What will the scheme support?

The grant scheme supports projects that build organizations’ capacity to raise funds and garner public support. Eligible activities include:

  • developing and implementing fundraising strategies;
  • diversifying private funding sources;
  • organizing donation campaigns and fundraising events;
  • peer-to-peer and online campaigns;
  • communication and information campaigns;
  • digital marketing and social media development;
  • social entrepreneurship initiatives that support the sustainability of organizations.

Funding Amount

The program offers two levels of support based on applicants’ experience:

  • “Beginner” Level – a grant of 8,000 to 10,000 euros for projects lasting up to 12 months;
  • “Advanced” Level – a grant of 20,000 to 25,000 euros for projects lasting up to 12 months.

What results are expected?

The funding aims to build a stronger and more financially sustainable civil society sector by:

  • increasing the number of donors, volunteers, and active citizens;
  • developing sustainable organizational models;
  • increasing revenue from private donations;
  • broadening public support for the causes championed by civil society organizations and community centers.

Application Process

The application process consists of a single stage. Organizations submit a project proposal, which undergoes an administrative review and a technical evaluation based on predefined criteria.

The program does not limit the number of projects in which an organization may participate as an applicant or partner; however, the total funding for a single organization under the entire Mechanism may not exceed 250,000 Swiss francs (or the equivalent in euros).

For complete information on application requirements, required documents, and deadlines, click here. Please review the details carefully; we look forward to receiving your applications.

Deadline: September 16, 2026.