Open Call

Advancing gender equality in the Western Balkans.

Application Guidelines cover
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Application Guideline
↓ Download Guidelines
Programme
Western Balkans Gender Equality Fund
Per Project
€30K – €40K
Duration
8 – 12 months
Application deadline
10 June 2026 · 12:59 CET
Start Application →
Co-funded by
Co-funded by SDC, the European Union, and the Western Balkans Fund
01 / About

A regional fund for gender equality, born from the Berlin Process.

The Western Balkans Fund (WBF), established by the six WB Ministries of Foreign Affairs, has earmarked 15% of its core budget for gender equality initiatives. This commitment was formalised at the 2025 Western Balkans Leaders' Summit in London.

The Gender Equality Fund (GeFund) is the dedicated mechanism delivering that commitment. It is co-funded by the European Union (under EU Civil Society Facility & Media Programme, IPA III) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (under "Fostering Inclusive Partnerships in the Western Balkans 2026–2029").

This first open call advances women's empowerment across the Western Balkans through regional civil society cooperation, advocacy, and innovative initiatives addressing social, economic, digital, environmental, and security challenges.

6
Contracting Parties across the Western Balkans
(Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia)
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UN Security Council resolution 1244 and the International Court of Justice Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
15%
Of WBF core budget earmarked for gender equality
02 / Who Can Apply

Open to non-profit legal entities working across borders.

01
Civil Society Organisations
CSOs and NGOs registered as legal entities in one of the six WBF Contracting Parties.
02
Educational Institutions
Universities, faculties, schools, institutes, libraries, research centres, academies.
03
Culture & Sports Associations
Museums, art galleries, theatres, cultural and sport associations.
04
Business Associations
Enterprise associations, chambers of commerce, agriculture and tourism associations.
05
Media Associations
Organisations working with media, journalism, and freedom of expression.

Partnership is the essential requirement.

Each project must be implemented by a regional consortium spanning at least three different Western Balkans Contracting Parties.

  • Minimum 3 different WBF Contracting Parties represented
  • One (1) Lead Applicant, the contract signatory with WBF
  • At least two (2) Project Partners from different WB6 CPs
  • Optional Associated Partners (no fund transfers, except per diem and travel)
03 / Priority Areas

Six priorities. One ambition.

Applicants must indicate the priority area their project addresses.

01
Empowerment of Women in Economic & Public Life

Expected results

  • Advanced women's economic empowerment and participation in decision-making
  • Improved recognition of women's paid and unpaid work
  • Strengthened advocacy for gender-responsive economic policies and care economy investment
02
Gender Equality & Protection from Violence

Expected results

  • Strengthened regional cooperation in addressing violence against women and girls
  • Improved support mechanisms and services for survivors of violence
  • Increased policy attention to sustainable funding for protection services
03
Gender Equality in the Digital Space

Expected results

  • Increased awareness of gender inequalities in digital technologies and AI
  • Strengthened participation of women and girls in STEM and digital innovation
  • Enhanced civil society engagement in shaping inclusive digital policies
04
Gender Equality & Environmental Conservation

Expected results

  • Increased integration of gender perspectives in environmental and disaster-response policies
  • Strengthened cooperation between CSOs, youth and environmental actors
  • Improved community resilience through gender-responsive climate approaches
05
Countering Anti-Gender Backlash

Expected results

  • Strengthened regional cooperation in addressing anti-gender narratives and disinformation
  • Increased civic awareness and resilience to gender-based misinformation
06
Gender Equality, Peace & Security

Expected results

  • Stronger CSO engagement in peacebuilding and security policy discussions
  • Greater participation of women and youth in peace and security processes
  • Increased awareness of gender dimensions in migration, trafficking and humanitarian protection
04 / Financing

The numbers behind your project.

Grant per project
€30K – €40K
Up to 90% of total eligible costs covered by the grant.
  • Co-financing required≥ 10%
  • First tranche on signing80%
  • Final tranche on reporting20%
Project duration
8 – 12 months
  • Earliest startSept 2026
  • Latest completionSept 2027
  • HR cap≤ 25% of grant
  • Indirect costs cap≤ 7% of direct
  • In-kind contributions, volunteering only≤ 30% of co-financing
05 / Timeline

Key dates from launch to contract.

13, 20 & 26 May 2026
Information sessions
Online Register
27 May 2026
Deadline for clarification requests
17:00 CET
1 June 2026
Clarifications published
17:00 CET
10 June 2026
Application deadline
12:59 CET
July 2026
Contract signing
TBC
September 2026
Earliest project start date
Implementation
06 / FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Eligible applicants are non-profit legal entities registered in one of the six WBF Contracting Parties (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). This includes Civil Society Organisations, educational institutions, culture and sports associations, business associations, and media associations.

Political parties and religious institutions are not eligible — neither as Lead Applicant, Project Partner, nor Associated Partner.

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

Each project must be implemented by a regional partnership of at least three different WBF Contracting Parties. The partnership consists of one (1) Lead Applicant who signs the contract with WBF, plus at least two (2) Project Partners from different WB6 CPs.

Associated Partners may also be added when relevant. They contribute to project activities but do not receive transferred funds (except for per diem and travel costs).

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

Each project can request between €30,000 and €40,000. The grant covers up to 90% of total eligible costs; applicants and partners must provide at least 10% co-financing.

Funds are disbursed in two tranches: 80% upon contract signing and the remaining 20% after final reporting.

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

Projects must run between 8 and 12 months, including the final reporting phase (which cannot exceed 30 days). The earliest possible start date is September 2026 and the latest possible completion date is September 2027.

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

All applications must be submitted in English through the WBF Online Grant Management System (OGMS) at wbfportal.org/applicant. Applications sent by email, fax, or post will be rejected.

The deadline is 10 June 2026 at 12:59 CET.

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

Yes. An applicant may submit multiple applications as Lead Applicant or appear as Project Partner in several proposals. However, an organisation can only be awarded once as Lead Applicant and once as Project Partner (in each case, the highest-scoring proposal).

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

The Western Balkans Fund hosts a dedicated Partnership Platform to help applicants find suitable partners across the region. Register at wbfpartnership.com.

After each info session, you will be able to join online matchmaking. Make sure to register for info sessions. Register for info sessions.

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

Information sessions are scheduled on 13, 20 & 26 May 2026. Keep checking the WBF webpage and social media for up to date information. For written inquiries, email info@westernbalkansfund.org no later than 15 days before the deadline (by 27 May 2026). Replies will be summarised and published on the WBF website 1 June 2026.

For more details and clarification, please refer to the guidelines.

Can't find the answer to your question?
Email the WBF team →

Ready to build regional change?

Submit your application via the WBF Online Grant Management System.

Apply via OGMS → Find a Partner ↓ Download Guidelines