Looking for Partners
Hungarian Interchurch Aid – Eurodiaconia member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA), with 2 decades of dedicated work in Hungary in the field of gender-based and domestic violence, is looking for international partners for the new EU call for proposals under CERV DAPHNE-call under Priority 2: Targeted actions for the protection of and support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and domestic violence.
HIA is planning to submit a proposal through a transnational consortium focused around two major pillars:
- Establishment of an Integrated Support Centre as a “one-stop shop” addressing intersectional specificities.
- Providing targeted training programmes for early responders to ensure timely and effective victim support.
Note: For Pillar 1, HIA is looking for potential partners with experience or interest in the running of Family Justice Centres or alike, with an eye on promoting the implementation of the VAW/DV Directive of 2024.
Should you be interested in partnering for this DAPHNE call, or in case you need more detailed information in addition to those found in the attached document titled More about the work done by Hungarian Interchurch Aid in combatting domestic violence or on the website https://segelyszervezet.hu/en/, please contact: Edit Mester, Senior Advisor, at or call +36-70 666-3697.
Diakonie Bildung gem. GmbH of Diakonie Austria is looking for project partners to apply for EU funding on studies and parenting programmes. Diakonie Bildung’s SESAM project organises educational offers for parents at primary schools in Vienna. Their target group includes migrants who are not very familiar with the education system in Austria and who we help to find their way around the Austrian school system and to network with each other through our events.
If you are working on this topic and would like to explore this potential partnership, please send an email to Dr.in Heike Summerer, Project Coordinator SESAM and Glenis Balangue-Dalkiran. You can also check out the SESAM project webpage here for more information.
European Commission releases next MFF Roadmap
On 12 February, the European Commission released its roadmap for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The Communication on ‘The Road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework’ outlines the key policy and budgetary challenges that will shape the design of the next MFF. This lays the groundwork for reflections on how to adapt the EU’s long-term budget to evolving needs and priorities. It stressed competitiveness, security and defence, migration, cohesion, agriculture and food security, climate change ang global challenges (Ukraine, Middle East, global partnerships) as the policy challenges for EU’s long-term budget.
The proposal will be presented in July 2025. There will be a Citizens’ panel composed of some 150 Europeans who will debate and make concrete recommendations for the next EU budget (accompanied by an online platform). There will also be open consultations from 12 February to 6 May 2025.
European Commission presents REARM Europe to increase defence spending
In early March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday presented to EU leaders a five-point ‘REARM Europe’, an immediate response plan for boosting defence spending. For the Commission, to mobilise Europe’s immense resources, it is necessary to unleash industrial and productive power and direct it to security.
REARM Europe’s five pillars are:
- A new financial EU instrument to support Member States in boosting their defence capabilities
- Unleashing the use of public funding in defence
- Incentivising defence-related investments in the EU budget
- Contribution by the European Investment Bank
- Mobilising private capital
The plan is worth EUR 800 billion, which includes a loan scheme proposal of EUR 150 billion secured against unspent funds from the EU budget and greater flexibilities in fiscal rules to unlock new spending. As a response, EU leaders pledged to spend more on defence.
EEA and Norway Grants Civil Society Fund releases list of country fund operators
Common values of respect of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights are at the core of all activities supported through the Fund.
- Croatia: Community Foundation Slagalica (CFS) in consortium with Solidarna – Foundation for Human Rights and Solidarity, Association for Civil Society Development (SMART) and the Centre for Information Service, Co-operation and Development of NGOs (CNVOS)
- Czech Republic: Open Society Fund – Prague in consortium with the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation and the Czech Scouting Institute
- Estonia: Open Estonia Foundation in consortium with the Network of Estonian Non-Profit Organisations (NENO)
- Greece: Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with Solidarity Now
- Latvia: Civic Alliance Latvia in consortium with Dienvidlatgale NGO Support Centre, Kurzeme NGO Support Centre, Latvian Rural Forum, Valmiera Region Community Foundation and Zemgale NGO Support Centre
- Lithuania: Open Lithuania Foundation in consortium with OSFL Projektai
- Poland (National): Stefan Batory Foundation in consortium with Shipyard and FAOO
- Poland (Regional): Foundation in Support of Local Democracy (FSLD) in consortium with the Information Society Development Foundation (ISDF) and the Education for Democracy Foundation (EDF)
- Portugal: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in consortium with Bissaya Barreto Foundation
- Romania: Civil Society Development Foundation in consortium with the PACT Foundation, the Environmental Partnership Foundation, the Resource Centre for Roma Communities and Frivillighet Norge
- Slovakia: Ekopolis Foundation in consortium with Carpathian Foundation and Open Society Foundation
For more information about the country fund operators, please check it out here. To plan your proposal if you are interested in applying for the fund, please read the overview of support to civil society and list of suggested activities.
European Commission launches the 2025 Regiostars Awards
Between 11 February and 20 May 2025, beneficiaries of Cohesion projects in the EU can apply for the competition Regiostars. The thematic categories are:
- A Competitive and Smart Europe
- A Green Europe
- A Connected Europe
- A Social and Inclusive Europe; and
- A Europe Closer to Citizens.
A REGIOSTARS jury composed of distinguished academics will assess the submitted projects. The winners of the five categories will be selected during the EURegionsWeek in Brussels this October. The public will also be able to choose their favourite project by participating in the ‘REGIOSTARS Public Vote’.
For more information, please visit the competition webpage and check out the guide for applicants.
