Since 2014, through the programme “Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia” (Eastern Partnership Programme), the German Government has been providing funding for measures to support permanent civil society cooperation structures between democratic, non-governmental stakeholders in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Russia, as well as their ties with German civil society.

The goal is to strengthen the civil societies in the programme countries in their role as key stakeholders for democratic development and the ongoing transformation processes in these countries.

The entire spectrum of cultural and education policy projects can receive support through the programme: particularly media, science, education and vocational training, culture, sport, language and youth work.

Target countries and focuses of projects

With the programme, the German Government, through the Federal Foreign Office, funds democratic civil society initiatives that provide comprehensive support to the democratic transformation processes in the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine) and Russia.

Aims of cooperation with civil society

Measures that establish or expand durable civil-society cooperation structures between stakeholders from Germany and the Eastern Partnership countries or Russia are eligible for support. For this reason, every project proposal must be developed jointly by a tandem comprising one German civil society organisation and at least one civil society organisation from at least one programme country. In addition, Polish and French civil society organisations may be involved, in the spirit of the Weimar Triangle.

Projects must also pursue one of the following four objectives:

1. Strengthening pluralism and resilience – in order to promote pluralism of opinion and the media and to tackle disinformation.

Pluralism is a key element of modern democracies, whose legitimacy primarily lies in recognising and respecting the wide range of opinions, interests and goals found in society.

The Federal Foreign Office supports projects that facilitate the establishment and furthering of pluralism of information, opinion and the media and which tackle disinformation and increase resilience. Particular consideration will be given to projects that seek to build up society’s resilience against unreliable and false information by strengthening and training media stakeholders and improving access to high-quality, pluralist (local) media. Moreover, journalists and media professionals are to be supported also in temporary exile in order to enable them to continue to go about their work until it is possible for them to return to their home countries.

2. Promoting the discussion of values and human rights – with a view to deepening mutual understanding.

This objective primarily facilitates the funding of exchanges and cultural projects. Organised encounters are intended to enable people to exchange views on fundamental values such as respect for human rights, the legality of administrative action, the independence of the judiciary, the right to life and self-determination, and the principle of majority decision-making. Standing up for these values together also advances mutual understanding within the Eastern Partnership region as well as enhancing knowledge of those countries in Germany.

Funding can be provided for projects which impart and reinforce the fundamental values mentioned above through civil-society exchange or cultural policy measures and which promote network-building within civil society in the partner countries. Support can also go to initiatives which make the distinct identities of the partner countries transparent to the German public.

3. Creating future prospects and democratic transformation – to strengthen democracies, tackle corruption, support closer relations with the EU and to facilitate individual educational opportunities.

Under this objective, initiatives can be supported that strengthen democratic efforts, are instrumental in fighting corruption and help the Eastern Partnership countries move closer to the EU. Especially in Ukraine, our priority is supporting transformation processes and the preservation and reconstruction of civil-society structures.

Projects eligible for funding also include academic, professional and socio-political initial and further training measures that encourage greater social engagement and facilitate political and social participation.

4. Supporting dialogue and rapprochement – confidence-building measures for overcoming regional conflicts in the future.

Funding can be provided for projects which deploy instruments from the fields of culture and education in unresolved regional conflicts to help prevent or overcome crises, thereby laying the foundations for future understanding. In 2025, this funding goal will be focused in particular on the countries of the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) and the Republic of Moldova. In view of current developments in the Southern Caucasus, fostering dialogue and rapprochement in the region is especially important at the present time and remains relevant.

In the course of Russia’s war of aggression, people from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus have left their home countries and settled in other Eastern Partnership countries because they have been threatened and intimidated due to their political convictions. Projects that bring people together with the (civil) society in their new home can also receive funding.

In the fourth year of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and in view of the continuing shrinking of spaces for civil-society players in the programme region, supporting civil society remains an extremely relevant endeavour in all Eastern Partnership countries.

With this in mind, the 2026 Eastern Partnership programme sets the following priorities:

1. The strengthening of civil-society networks in the context of European integration and cooperation, in particular in the candidate countries Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, as well as in Armenia.
2. The promotion of independent, neutral and inclusive reporting and civil-society structures is intended to strengthen resilience in the face of authoritarian repression and disinformation campaigns, for example through professionalisation, awareness-raising and networking among journalists, media professionals and civil-society stakeholders such as human rights lawyers – including those in temporary exile.
3. Projects which strengthen the political and social participation of marginalised and vulnerable groups have a broad impact on society. Projects of this nature support women, ethnic and religious minorities, politically persecuted groups, persons with disabilities, young people, LGBTIQ and people in rural areas.

Submitting project ideas

Project proposals (in English or German) for 2026 can be submitted here from 13 October to 7 November 2025.

Further information and instructions on how to submit project outlines can also be found on this website. Please take note of the intended aims and purpose and the FAQs (also available as a download here). The evaluation of project proposals is expected to be completed by early 2026. Applicants will be notified by email of whether, taking into account all other project proposals received, an application for funding in accordance with Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code is likely to be successful.

More information on the programme can be found here:

• FAQs: Frequently asked questions and answers in the context of the application and project funding for the Eastern partnership program “Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia” PDF / 292 KB
• Deutsch PDF / 292 KB
• Englisch PDF / 276 KB
• Armenisch PDF / 236 KB
  
• Aserbaidschanisch PDF / 300 KB
  
• Französisch PDF / 288 KB
  
• Georgisch PDF / 256 KB
  
• Polnisch PDF / 316 KB
  
• Rumänisch PDF / 312 KB
  
• Russisch PDF / 372 KB
  
• Ukrainisch PDF / 340 KB