EU Funding Opportunities for NGOs (2025 Guide)
EU funding can be a powerful tool for NGOs, whether you're working in education, inclusion, environment, health, or cultural development. However, navigating EU calls can feel overwhelming — especially for smaller organizations with limited resources.
This guide breaks down how NGOs can access EU funding in 2025, what programmes to focus on, and how to improve your chances of success.
Key EU Programmes That Support NGOs
Erasmus+
Offers funding for:
- Youth exchanges
- School partnerships
- Adult education and lifelong learning
- Capacity building projects
Erasmus+ is particularly accessible for smaller NGOs focused on education, inclusion, or youth work.
Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)
Supports:
- Equality and non-discrimination initiatives
- Promotion of civic engagement
- Anti-racism, gender equality, and democratic participation
Great fit for NGOs working on social justice, human rights, and democratic innovation.
Horizon Europe (limited access)
While Horizon is more research-focused, some collaborative projects include NGO partners, especially in clusters like:
- Health
- Climate and environment
- Inclusive societies
NGOs can join consortia, usually as dissemination or field-testing partners.
Example EU Calls for NGOs
Enhancing basic skills in schools through forward-looking education projects. → Good fit for education NGOs, literacy orgs, or school networks.
Civic engagement projects promoting democratic participation in marginalized communities.
💡 Many calls encourage transnational cooperation, so having partners in other EU countries is essential.
Tips for NGOs New to EU Funding
- Start with simpler programmes like Erasmus+ or CERV before jumping into Horizon.
- Join existing consortia or partnerships — you don't always need to be the coordinator.
- Use the EU Grants Tracker to filter for NGO-friendly calls and sign up for alerts by sector or topic.
- Check eligibility carefully: some calls are open to only certain types of legal entities or require minimum partners from 3 countries.
- Budget realistically — co-financing is sometimes required (especially outside Erasmus+).