Strengthening Democratic Resilience and Civil Society in Poland

Geographic Scope: Poland

Focus Areas:

• Expanding democratic participation
• Supporting free and fair elections
• Promoting good governance
• Engaging citizens around issues of social progress
• Combating fear, corruption, and exclusion

Priority Topics:

• Women's rights
• Democracy protection and promotion
• Mobilisation and engagement of marginalised or under-represented groups
• Workers' rights
• Climate change and energy transition
• Victims of child sexual abuse
• Universal values and human rights
• LGBTQ+ rights
• Countering extremism and discrimination
• Exposing corruption and impunity
• Combating disinformation
• Monitoring and countering Russian influence
• Monitoring and countering Chinese influence

Background:
Poland has experienced democratic backsliding including:

• Growing party political influence over state institutions
• Nationalist and discriminatory rhetoric
• Curtailment of rights for women, minorities, and LGBTIQ+ communities
• Attacks on judicial independence
• Suppression of independent journalism
• Cronyism

Award Details:

• Amount: Not specified in source material
• Additional Support: In-kind professional advice and consultation may be included
• Funding Model: Grants awarded on rolling basis, subject to availability of funds

Eligibility:
Applicants must be:

• Non-governmental, non-partisan civil society organizations (CSOs)
• Based in Poland
• Non-partisan
• Have national reach and/or operate in rural settings (particularly valued)
• Support an enabling environment and ecosystem for civil society growth
• Compliant with all Polish and U.S. rules and regulations, including electoral and campaign finance laws
• Committed to fully transparent communication about support received

Contact Information: Application via Google Form; specific contact email not provided in source

Application Process

1. Submit Concept Note via Google Form
   • Access application here: Google Form (direct URL not provided in source material)

Concept Note Requirements:

• Maximum length: 3 pages
• Must outline:
  • Objectives and possible activities for which grant funding is being sought
  • Nature, track record, and capabilities of the applicant
• Should connect proposed project and desired outcome to grant's main objective

Evaluation:

• Applications evaluated on rolling basis
• Applicants encouraged to submit as soon as possible
• Priority given to projects addressing listed eligible issues

Timeline:

• First round deadline: July 17, 6pm CET (2023)

Available Documents:

• Open Call - PDF (English)
• Open Call - PDF (Polish)