Western Balkans Program Grant

The Western Balkans Program, supported by The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, aims to advance democracy and peace in a region undergoing transformation. With a focus on Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the program encourages transparency in governance and sustainable development. Despite challenges from historical conflicts, the Fund promotes inclusive societies and civil engagement to foster reconciliation and support a European future. Organizations seeking grants must be tax-exempt and focused on educational or charitable initiatives.

Note: Staff members actively identify organizations that are well-positioned to meet programmatic goals. While we remain open to unsolicited requests, applicants should be aware that the likelihood of an unsolicited request becoming a grant is low.
Western Balkans Guidelines
The countries of the Western Balkans are still in the process of transformation to truly democratic societies where institutions of governance are transparent, accountable, and responsive, and citizens are empowered and assertive. Some reforms have been achieved, civil society is active, and citizens are more engaged, but many challenges remain. The obstacles reflect the legacy of conflict and unresolved tensions between countries and communities that must be addressed to realize justice, equality, and peace for all people in the region.
Goal: Advance a peaceful, democratic, and European Western Balkans
Strategies:
Supporting efforts to improve transparency and accountability in governance.Strengthening constituencies for reconciliation and enduring peace.Advancing sustainable development, focusing on renewable energy and healthy environments.
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) supports efforts of civil society groups, governmental institutions, and other partners to strengthen democratic practice, advance reconciliation and durable peace, enable sustainable development, address climate change, and promote a European future for the Western Balkans. The Fund values the richness of the region’s ethnic, gender, age, cultural, and racial diversity and promotes pluralistic and inclusive societies. It supports efforts at the regional, national, and local levels, including grassroots engagement and movement building.The RBF has been engaged in grantmaking in the Western Balkans since 2001, building on 20 years of prior experience in Central and Eastern Europe. The Fund’s work is predicated on the belief that long-term peace and prosperity in Europe can only be achieved with successful post-communist and post-conflict transformations of the countries of the Balkans. Situated physically and politically between global powers, the region will continue to play a significant role in global affairs and security for many years to come.The Fund focuses on Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The interdependence among these countries, the common challenges they face, and the potential they share as a subregion within Europe present a unique opportunity for successful transformation, integration, and long-term peace and prosperity.RBF grantmaking in the Western Balkans aims to nurture healthy democratic processes, support regional initiatives to debunk persistent myths and prejudices, and encourage the development of a vibrant civil society in the region. In today’s unstable world, such progress in the Balkans is important for the region, for Europe, and to improve the prospects for global peace.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant, organizations should be tax-exempt or seeking support for a project that would qualify as educational or charitable.

Ineligibility

We Do Not FundSupport to individuals for any purpose, including education, health care, travel, or attendance at conferences.Meetings, publications, or films, including documentaries, unless directly related to a Fund-supported project. (If you're interested in hosting a meeting at The Pocantico Center, you can learn more here.)Youth activities, including sports, afterschool, and exchange programs.Capital expenses, including the construction and renovation of buildings.Lobbying, as well as the planning or organizing of lobbying activities.Tickets or tables at galas and other fundraising events.