EU Call for Proposals in Ethiopia 2026: Funding for Civil Society and Global Gateway Action

A Major EU Funding Opportunity for Civil Society Organisations in Ethiopia

The Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia has opened a significant new funding opportunity for civil society organisations through the call titled “Supporting CSO role in sustainable and inclusive development and in Global Gateway Investments.” This initiative is designed to strengthen Ethiopian civil society organisations as independent, resilient, and accountable actors that can contribute to inclusive governance, equitable socio-economic development, and the implementation of Global Gateway investments in the country.

This call is part of the CSOs Thematic Programme 2021–2027 and builds on earlier EU support to civil society in Ethiopia. The programme reflects the EU’s broader commitment to democratic participation, rights-based development, and stronger civic engagement, while also linking civil society action to priority investment sectors under the Global Gateway strategy.

What This EU Call for Proposals Supports

The overall objective of the call is to strengthen Ethiopian civil society organisations so they can play a stronger role in inclusive governance and sustainable development, while also contributing to Global Gateway investments. The call is divided into two separate lots, and applicants may apply under one lot only. For either lot, proposals are expected to use an integrated approach and address at least three priority areas under the selected lot rather than presenting isolated activities.

This means applicants need to design proposals that are coherent, strategic, and clearly linked to measurable results. The guidelines also stress the importance of strong intervention logic, relevant indicators, monitoring plans, and meaningful partnerships between consortium members.

Funding Available: Budget, Lots, and Grant Size

The total indicative budget available under this call is EUR 5,829,000. The funding is split equally across the two lots, with EUR 2,914,500 allocated to Lot 1 and EUR 2,914,500 allocated to Lot 2. The guidelines note that the Lot 2 allocation is tied to the EU budget for 2027 and is therefore subject to the prior availability of those funds.

For both lots, the grant size is fixed at EUR 2,914,500, meaning this is a high-value funding opportunity aimed at large-scale actions. The EU contribution must represent 95% of the total eligible costs of the action, with the remaining balance financed from other sources unless the applicant can justify full financing as essential for implementation.

Lot 1: Strengthening Civil Society Capacity and Civic Space

Lot 1 focuses on strengthening civil society’s role, capacity, and enabling environment in Ethiopia. Its specific objective is to improve the capacity, sustainability, and influence of local and grassroots CSOs so they can engage more effectively in policy-making, advocacy, dialogue with authorities, monitoring, and accountability processes at both local and national levels.

Under this lot, priority areas include improving CSOs’ ability to influence public policy, support evidence-based advocacy, promote transparency and accountability, and build stronger partnerships and coalitions. It also supports inclusive social and economic development initiatives, stronger community engagement, and better internal governance, sustainability, fundraising, and organisational effectiveness. Another major focus is the protection of civic space and the promotion of an enabling legal and policy environment for civil society.

The call also places strong emphasis on Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) under Lot 1. Applicants are expected to establish and manage at least one open and competitive support mechanism for local and grassroots CSOs, including capacity building, mentoring, and tailored technical support. At least EUR 1,860,000 must be reserved for FSTP to local and grassroots CSOs, and at least EUR 291,000 must be allocated to strengthening the capacities of those recipients.

Lot 2: Civil Society Engagement in Global Gateway Priority Sectors

Lot 2 is aimed at strengthening civil society engagement in Global Gateway priority sectors in Ethiopia. Its objective is to enhance the role and capacity of CSOs to contribute to transparent, inclusive, and sustainable policy-making, reform processes, and investment processes in four sectors: clean energy transition, sustainable agri-food value chains, health systems strengthening, and human-centric digital transformation.

Priority areas under Lot 2 include improving governance and regulatory frameworks, increasing transparency and accountability in investment processes, empowering communities to participate in decision-making, and supporting inclusive skills development and economic opportunities linked to investment sectors. The call encourages actions that strengthen public oversight, promote environmental and social safeguards, support grievance mechanisms, and expand the role of communities and local CSOs across the investment cycle.

Actions under Lot 2 must be implemented in at least three specific locations in Ethiopia where Global Gateway projects are already being implemented, and applicants must clearly explain how their chosen areas connect to relevant Global Gateway investments.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

This opportunity is intended for non-profit legal entities such as civil society organisations, including NGOs, networks, and associations. To qualify, the lead applicant must be a legal person, be non-profit-making, and be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action. Eligible lead applicants must be effectively established in an EU Member State, Ethiopia, or another country eligible under Article 28 of the NDICI-Global Europe regulation.

A key requirement is that the lead applicant must apply together with at least two co-applicants established and registered in Ethiopia. In addition, the consortium must demonstrate experience managing at least one EU grant above EUR 1.5 million in the past three years, at least three years of practical experience working with local CSOs and building their capacity, and a proven track record in managing Financial Support to Third Parties schemes.

For lead applicants not established in Ethiopia, the rules are stricter. They must demonstrate prior knowledge of Ethiopia’s civil society landscape, show that they have implemented at least two projects with local CSOs, and prove that local CSOs have been involved in the conception, governance, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the proposed action.

Project Duration, Locations, and Design Requirements

For both lots, the initial planned duration of an action must be at least 36 months and no more than 48 months.

For Lot 1, actions must take place in at least three locations from the following exclusive list: Somali, Harari, Sidama, Gambella, South West Ethiopia, and Dire Dawa City Administration.

Beyond location and duration, the guidelines require all proposals to demonstrate strong internal coherence between needs, objectives, expected results, activities, and indicators. Applicants are strongly encouraged to define one clear specific objective, include a solid monitoring plan, and describe genuine, balanced partnerships among consortium members.

The call also includes mandatory cross-cutting priorities. All proposals must integrate meaningful youth engagement, a human rights-based approach, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and conflict sensitivity throughout the design and implementation of the action.

How to Apply Through PROSPECT and PADOR

This is a restricted call for proposals, which means the first stage requires the submission of a concept note only. Applicants whose concept notes are pre-selected will later be invited to submit a full application.

Applications must be submitted online via PROSPECT, and organisations must register in PADOR. In addition, lead applicants and co-applicants must register in the European Commission’s Participant Register. The guidelines strongly recommend completing these registration steps well in advance rather than waiting until the final days before submission.

Applicants must submit their concept notes in English, follow the official application format carefully, and ensure that the concept note contains all relevant information because no extra annexes are evaluated at that first stage. The full application stage, for those invited, will require more detailed documentation, including the budget, logical framework, and supporting eligibility documents.

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Deadline and Key Dates

The deadline for submission of concept notes is 13 May 2026 at 15:30 Brussels time. This is the most important immediate deadline for interested applicants.

There will also be an information session on 17 April 2026 in hybrid format. Organisations interested in attending must send an email by 8 April 2026 with the requested participant details.

According to the indicative timetable, applicants can expect the following milestones:

• information to pre-selected applicants and invitations to submit full applications: 25 June 2026
• deadline for full applications: 11 August 2026 at 15:30 Brussels time
• notification of contracting authority decision: 20 October 2026
• indicative contract signature: 20 November 2026

Final Tips Before You Apply

For organisations considering this opportunity, early preparation will be essential. Because the call requires consortium formation, registration on multiple EU platforms, and a strong concept note aligned with one of the two lots, applicants should begin preparing as soon as possible.

It is especially important to select the correct lot from the beginning, build a proposal with a strong and coherent intervention logic, and make sure the consortium’s experience clearly matches the requirements set out in the guidelines. For organisations applying under Lot 1, the design of the FSTP component will be particularly important. For Lot 2, applicants must be precise in linking their action to actual Global Gateway project locations in Ethiopia.

For civil society organisations with the right structure, partnerships, and implementation capacity, this call represents a major opportunity to secure substantial EU support for long-term impact in Ethiopia.