The NGO Support Programme cooperates with the country offices in the REC's 15 beneficiary countries to offer three types of grants to NGOs: Local grants REC local grants are distributed by its country offices. Since 1994, 80 percent of all funds granted by the REC have gone to NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe. The focus of local grants has shifted through the years in response to the economic and social developments in the region. In the early 1990s, local grants mainly supported grassroots NGOs and their institutional development. Their current focus is on local environmental problems, in addition to essential NGO development. Support from local grants varies from country to country, but the maximum amount per grant is EUR 5,000. Amount per grant: EUR 5,000 (maximum) Language: local language Administrated by: REC country offices National grants The national grants were established at the end of 1990s to address environmental issues with national importance, which require the involvement of the stakeholders in the grant implementation. The grant amount is generally larger than for the local grants, and the environmental impact of the project is more significant. The national grants address earmarked topics such as climate change, biodiversity, and brown issues. These grants are administrated by the REC's country offices in the local language. The grants selection process includes two steps: the concept paper and the full proposal stage. Amount per grant: max. EUR 10,000 Language: local language Administrated by: REC country offices and NGO Support Programme Regional grants The largest grants managed by the REC are regional in nature. These projects address issues that cannot be solved by one country alone, and therefore rely on cross-border cooperation. Since their establishment in 1996, the REC has provided EUR 150,000 - 200,000 in regional grants per year. Through these grants, the REC promotes regional cooperation between NGOs and facilitates dialogue between stakeholders participating in the grant's implementation. Due to their regional content, these grants are managed by the NGO Support Programme, and the application process is in English. The grant's selection process includes two steps and involves international and independent experts in the decision-making process. Amount per grant: EUR 25,000 - 35,000 Language: English Administrated by: NGO Support Programme, REC head office

See all grants since 1994   Contents of this page: Local grants National grants Regional grants