ERIM (Equal Rights & Independent Media) and ERA (The LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Türkiye) are announcing a call for applications from LGBTQIA+ organizations based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia seeking long-term tailored capacity-building support.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities, resilience, and effectiveness of LGBTQIA+ civic actors – civil society organisations and informal groups 1– in the named countries. Selected organizations will take part in an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) led by an external consultant followed by a capacity building grant of up to 14 000 EUR to support their development.
The support will be delivered in the following phases:
| Phase I
(up to 1 month – 19 January – 19 February 2026) |
Phase II
(up to 3 weeks – 19 February – 12 March 2026) |
Phase III
(up to 12 months – 12 March 2026 – 12 March 2027) |
| Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA): An evaluation of each organization across eight key areas, conducted by an OCA expert selected by ERIM. | Capacity Development Plan: Designing a tailored plan, based on the results of the OCA, outlining priority actions to strengthen the organization. | Implementation of the Capacity-Building Plan: Implementation of the agreed actions, supported by a grant of up to €14,000. |
The timeline is indicative.
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE
The present call for application is organised by ERIM and ERA within the framework of the FIER·ES programme.
The FIER·ES programme (Fostering the Inclusion, Equality and Resilience of LGBTQIA+ people) aims to support LGBTQIA+ CSOs and initiatives so that they are better able to carry out their mandate and mission and promote respect, inclusion, dignity and equality for LGBTQIA+ people in the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans. The programme is co-funded by Agence française de développement, coordinated by ERIM and led with its partners the LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey (ERA) and Genderdoc – M (Moldova).
ERIM (Equal Rights and Independent Media) is a not-for-profit organisation based in Lyon, France. Our mission is to promote human rights, strengthen independent media and civil society, develop and maintain democratic, fair and sustainable societies where people enjoy equal rights, have access to independent information and are empowered to build the society they want to live in. ERIM’s approach emphasises partnerships with local development organisations to bring about change through training, partnerships, education, research and sub-granting schemes.
ERA is a regional non-profit organization of LGBTIQ+ organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Türkiye. The organization is based in Belgrade, Serbia. Our mission is to inspire positive change in the society, promote and advocate for human rights of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, by facilitating cooperation and providing resources and capacity development for the LGBTIQ+ movement across the Balkans and Turkey. ERA’s approach combines advocacy at national, regional and European levels with capacity-building, research and knowledge production, strategic networking, sub-granting, and cross-sector partnerships—raising awareness, strengthening LGBTIQ+ CSOs, mainstreaming LGBTIQ+ priorities within EU integration processes, and advancing a resilient, financially sustainable movement grounded in evidence and collaboration.
TARGET GROUPS AND BENEFICIARIES
LGBTQIA+ Civil Society Organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia seeking capacity development support are invited to apply to the present call.
We particularly welcome applications from local, grassroots organisations.
Registered or unregistered (formal or non-formal initiatives) can apply.
Applications from political, for-profit or religious organisations will not be considered.
OCA PROCESS, CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND ELIGIBLE COSTS
Up to four organisations will be selected and will collaborate with an OCA expert to conduct a comprehensive Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA). The work will combine desk research with in-depth interviews with organizational members. The organizations will have to share with the OCA expert organization-related documents, policies, etc. Various team members should participate in the assessment.
The primary goal of the assessment is to identify key areas for the organization to focus on during the implementation of the capacity development grant. Therefore, based on the assessment, a Capacity Development Plan will be developed. The Plan will set specific operational goals in fields such as: (1) good governance and leadership, (2) financial management, (3) financial sustainability, (4) human resources management, (5) service provision and services development, (6) outreach, branding and external communication, (7) monitoring and evaluation, (8) security & equipment, etc.
ERIM and ERA will then award the CSOs capacity development grants, each with a maximum of 14,000 EUR, for projects lasting up to 12 months. Each support amount, contract and payment method will be decided and discussed between the beneficiary and the support team to ensure the security of the beneficiaries and based on the OCA results.
The grants will be used to implement the capacity development plans, which may include, but are not limited to:
- Consultancy and mentorship in developing or improving policies/planning documents,
- Strategies, structures, and processes: strategic plans, professional development plans, communications strategies, emergency response plans, business planning, fundraising strategies,
- Training courses and focused technical assistance based on organizational needs in areas such as, but not limited to, board development and governance, public relations, strategic planning, financial management, volunteer systems, advocacy and communication, informational technology (IT), digital security, etc.,
- Monitor and evaluate the progress of the organizational development,
- Other needs identified through the OCA.
Only activities aiming to strengthening capacity, process and sustainability of the organisation are eligible. However, if the grantee demonstrates that the organisation is in a difficult position and that a resilience support is essential to lay the basis for capacity development, then 20% of the grant could be allocated to resilience needs.
ERIM and ERA are available to help organizations select trainers and experts for implementing capacity development plan (training, consultation, etc.). The external OCA consultant could continue to be involved during the implementation period, offering punctual counselling. Organizations may also select their own trainers; however, ERA will review and approve all experts, trainers, and consultants hired under each grant to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.
The following activities are excluded from funding consideration:
- Core support and direct activities: Please keep in mind that capacity development grants cannot include core support and direct activities implemented by organisation – unless a strong justification is provided explaining that is needed for organization’s resilience (maximum 20% of the budget).
- Participation in international conferences, events, etc – unless a strong justification is provided to showcase how it will be integrated in the OCA plan of the organization.
- Equipment, unless it is a key part of the development plan (maximum of 20% of the budget).
Capacity development is a key element of the consolidation and longevity of an organisation, it increases effectiveness, impact but also wellbeing and satisfaction within teams. However, we advise that you apply only if your team has sufficient time and resources to dedicate to improving organisational capacities. Your team will need to allocate adequate time for training, consultations with experts, sharing insights with other team members, and implementing changes over the long term.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Minimum eligibility criteria:
- The applicant is an organization established in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia (or operates as an informal group),
- The applicant’s main mission it to promote the rights or provide services to the LGBTQIA+ community,
- The applicant has been active for a minimum of two years,
- The applicant has at least 1 staff member or permanent member who agrees to be committed in the 14-month programme,
- The applicant’s current statute and mission are in line with democratic and human rights principles and support for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Selection criteria:
- The applicant has highlighted clear areas where it seeks improvement,
- The applicant is community-led,
- The applicant shows willingness to participate and is motivated to improve their internal procedures and strategic documents,
- The applicant proposes relevant ideas of activities to strengthen its capacities (provisional capacity development project),
- The applicant provides a reasonable budget aligned with the proposed activities,2
- The applicant clearly defines the expected impact of the project on their organization,
- The applicant shows capacity to continue applying project outcomes/results beyond the project support.
CSOs that operate outside capital cities and/or work with marginalised or underserved populations (including LBTQIA+ women) are particularly encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application package includes mandatorily the following documents:
- Application Form (.doc)
- Organizational Self-Assessment Questionnaire (.xlsx)
- Tentative Budget From (.xlsx)
Application From, Organizational Self-Assessment and Tentative Budget must be sent to the email address: ocasupportwb@media-csos.com Please state in the subject line “Application OCA for country name”. The applications should be submitted in Word (Application form) and Excel (Self-assessment questionnaire) documents.
The application form can be submitted in Bosnian, English, Macedonian, Montenegrin or Serbian. If the application is submitted in local language, please, provide an English version of your application in addition to the original one, Google translate is an acceptable method of translation.
Proposals must be submitted online by Decembre 1st, 17:00 CET. All applicants will receive a confirmation from the project team upon receipt of the email with a project proposal.
ERIM and ERA will be hosting an information session (in English) on November 14th, 2025 at 14:00 CET. To participate, please register here and submit your questions in advance.
Application package – EN
0. OCA_Call for Applications_WB
1. OCA_Application Form_WB
2. OCA_Self-assessment questionnaire_WB
3. CapacityDev_TentativeBudget_WB
Application package – Bosnian
Bos_0. OCA_Call for Applications_1410
Bos_1. OCA_Application Form
Bos_2. OCA_Self-assessment questionnaire
Bos_3. CapacityDev_TentativeBudget
Application package – Montenegrin
MNE_0. OCA_Call for Applications
MNE_1. OCA_Application Form
MNE_2. OCA_Self-assessment questionnaire
MNE_3. CapacityDev_TentativeBudget
Application package – Macedonian
0. OCA_Call for Applications_MK_final
1. OCA_Application Form_MK
2. OCA_Self-assessment questionnaire-МК
3. CapacityDev_TentativeBudget-МК
Application package – Serbian
SR_0. OCA_Call for Applications
SR_1. OCA_Application Form
SR_2. OCA_Self-assessment questionnaire
SR_3. CapacityDev_TentativeBudget
