Who are we?
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a two year old non-partisan grant giving organisation that supports actors of democratic change. EED is a joint initiative of European States and EU institutions, which draws on the EU’s transition experiences and is inspired by the Arab Spring.
EED is a Brussels-based international foundation, a small team of experts that have extensively worked and lived in the EU Neighbourhood and beyond. EED’s work is overseen by its Board of Governors and Executive Committee, which is composed of Civil Society experts on democracy support, as well as EU and European State representatives.
EED has been accepting on-line requests for support since August 2013.
Who do we support?
EED supports civil society organisations, movements and individual activists working towards a pluralistic multiparty system.
In particular, EED assists those that cannot be supported by other donors and existing EU instruments, e.g. newly created or non-registered organisations, informal platforms, youth groups and individuals.
EED thus listens to the needs and demands of local democracy actors.
Important information about our applicants and grantees:
EED will treat your information as private and confidential. We will not provide your information to any other organisation, unless you specifically authorise us to do so.
EED grantees need to adhere to the principles of non-violence, as well as international human rights standards.
Do I need to be a non-profit making organisation to receive EED support?
What kind of support does EED provide?
- Funding of initiatives which foster democracy in their societies –EED usually receives requests for support ranging from € 10,000 - € 150,000. EED does not however have any formal funding range. Likewise, durations of EED-funded initiatives vary.
- Core funding and institutional support– EED may provide operational funding, notably in the following cases:
- Bridge funding: salaries, office and other related costs, to maintain a highly relevant activity during a limited period, until other donors are able to step in.
- Seed funding: salaries, office and other related costs, to help establish or sustain a newly created organisation, or to help increase its level of activities, for a limited duration.
What is EED’s added value?
EED as a “gap-filler”
- EED can support individuals and non-registered groups.
- EED encourages Requests for Support in four languages: Arabic, English, French and Russian.
- EED accepts Requests for Support at any time: There is no deadline!
- EED can support organisations’ operational costs (e.g. salaries, communications and other office costs).
- EED responds to urgent needs for support and seeks to give applicants a final answer within 12 weeks.
EED’s guiding principles
Fostering – not exporting - democracy
In the spirit of solidarity and partnership with societies in transition and struggling for democratisation, EED bases its work on the conviction that democracy cannot be exported or imposed from the outside, and that local ownership is indispensable to promote sustainable change.
How can I apply for support?
It is very simple: apply for support using the online form here: https://www.democracyendowment.eu/support.
The Request for Support forms can be completed in English, French, Arabic or Russian.