About

The European Commission (EC) has launched the call for proposals for the Civil Society Organizations as Actors of Development and Governance in Jamaica.

Objectives and Priorities

• The overall objective (impact) of this action is to strengthen local CSOs as independent actors of good governance and development in their own right. The action aims to contribute to an inclusive, participatory, empowered, and independent civil society, which is pivotal for promoting a democratic space in partner countries.  The action also seeks to promote an inclusive and open dialogue with and between Civil Society Organisations at local, regional and global levels.

• The global objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen local civil society organisations’ engagement as actors of good governance and development at country level.

• The specific objective of this call for proposals is to strengthen local Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs) engagement as actors of good governance and development at country level through increased enabling environment and stronger participation in policy-making in partner countries.

• The priorities of this call for proposals that will contribute to the Specific Objective are:

  • Strengthened capacities of local CSOs’ to engage in policy dialogue at national level and in dialogue, implementation and analysis of EU and national development plans and programmes

  • Improved capacity and ability of local civil society partners to uphold and promote an enabling environment at country level. 

  • Strengthened capacity of local CSOs to engage in gender equality (for women & girls and men & boys), youth inclusion and strengthened capacity of local women's and youth CSOs. 

  • Strengthened capacity of local CSOs to engage in climate action (adaptation and mitigation), including environmental protection and the green transition.

• The cross-cutting priorities are:

  • Democracy

  • Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls

  • Reduction of inequalities

  • Human rights

  • Disability

  • Environmental Protection & Climate Change

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 1,069,000.

• Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:

  • Minimum amount: EUR 200,000

  • Maximum amount: EUR 350,000

Duration

• The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 24 months nor exceed 48 months.

Eligible Activities

• Strengthened capacities of local CSOs’ to engage in policy dialogue at national level and in dialogue, implementation and analysis of EU and national development plans and programmes

  • Activities aimed at empowering civil society through digital technologies should be given particular attention. This includes but is not limited to:

    • Supporting CSOs capacity to benefit from digital tools in the conduct of advocacy and in the implementation of their daily activities;

    • Support CSOs in raising awareness of public authorities and citizens regarding the possible opportunities and challenges posed by digital transformation, and support CSOs in advocating for strong policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks aimed at addressing those challenges and harnessing the opportunities of digitalization, in line with the EU’s human-centric approach;

    • Support and strengthen CSOs capacity to reduce digital divides (related to gender, age, disability, geography, social and economic status, discrimination and migration/refugee status (internally displaced persons, refugees), etc.).

    • Support civil society networks and multi-stakeholder platforms including media, private sector, think tanks and academia – to promote local/regional partnerships, innovation fora and digital technology.

• Improved capacity and ability of local civil society partners to uphold and promote an enabling environment at country level. 

  • Activities related to this priority may include but are not limited to those contributing to:

    • Technical and legal support to strengthen CSO partners capacity and ability to uphold, preserve and promote an enabling environment;

    • Support for civil society advocacy related to an enabling environment, including support to strengthen the positive narrative of civil society and counter defamation, hate speech, digital harassment and cyber violence on social media platforms;

    • Support for local and national civil society networks and platforms and civil society participation in multi-stakeholder dialogue fora aimed at strengthening alliances for civil society with other actors including media, private sector, think tanks, academia, trade unions, cooperatives, etc. including ensuring accessibility of meetings and platforms to enable diverse organisations to participate;

    • Technical and legal support to strengthen CSO partners capacity and ability to uphold, preserve and promote an enabling environment; 

    • Support for civil society advocacy related to an enabling environment, including support to strengthen the positive narrative of civil society and counter defamation, hate speech, digital harassment and cyber violence on social media platforms.

• Strengthened capacity of local CSOs to engage in gender equality (for women & girls and men & boys), youth inclusion and strengthened capacity of local women's and youth CSOs. 

  • Activities related to this priority may include but are not limited to those contributing to:

    • Initiating, contributing to, and supporting policy dialogue on youth and gender equality and women’s rights. Additionally, enabling the active participation of youth, youth organizations, women and women’s organizations in decision-making processes at all levels;

    • Supporting capacity building and training for youth (girls and boys) and women’s organizations, and for CSOs working specifically on youth inclusion and gender equality;

    • Strengthen the rights of young people, including of those more marginalised, such as girls, youth with disabilities or belonging to other marginalised groups, and their empowerment and involvement in public affairs, including by promoting their participation in their economy, society, and decision-making, notably through their active engagement in youth organisations;

    • Strengthening the capacity of CSOs to carry out gender-responsive budgeting and planning;

  • Involving men and boys' associations, women’s organisations, faith-based organisations, youth organisations, and media in the transformative process of engendering social change, in particular by challenging stereotypes.

• Strengthened capacity of local CSOs to engage in climate action (adaptation and mitigation), including environmental protection and the green transition.

  • Activities related to this priority may include but are not limited to those contributing to:

    • Strengthening the capacity of CSOs to advocate, promote and contribute to climate and environment action and the green transition.

    • Strengthening the capacity of CSOs to support communities exposed to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss to promote nature-based, low-carbon, and green solutions in line with sustainable and resilient development pathways.

    • Supporting CSOs to ensure that society has access to transparent and credible information on climate and environmental issues, including by promoting public access to information on climate change, environment and natural resources.

    • Supporting and protecting environment and natural resource defenders and climate action champions and advocates, contributing to local, national, regional, and global climate and environmental policy development and implementation.

    • Supporting civil society action to promote sustainable lifestyles, responsible production and consumption and a just transition to resilient, climate-neutral and sustainable economies and societies.

    • Supporting the participation of CSOs in the Global Gateway strategy, flagship initiatives and projects / investments related to climate change and the green transition, as well as in the promotion of high environmental and social standards in line with the EU ambition.

Eligibility

• In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:

  • be a legal person and

  • be non-profit-making and

  • be a civil society organization, including non-governmental non-profit organisations and independent political foundations, community-based organisations, and private-sector non-profit agencies, institutions and organisations and networks thereof at local, national, regional and international level and

  • be effectively established in Jamaica, and

  • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary.

Post Date: July 24, 2025