Grants call: Promoting civic engagement and digital literacy 

The project will foster inclusive and participatory processes to improve public participation, particularly by promoting the involvement of underrepresented groups and women in Moldova. By empowering Moldovan civil society through technical and financial support, the project aims to strengthen their influence on national policies and accelerate the country’s EU integration. Registration deadline: 22 December 2025.

Objectives of the call for proposals

The call for proposals seeks to provide financial support to civil society organisations (CSOs) so they can play a more strategic role in Moldova’s evolving democratic landscape. Recognising that digitalisation has become central to participation, consultation, and access to public information, the call focuses on strengthening the ability of CSOs to adapt to technological change, enhance digital security, and make effective use of online platforms for civic engagement. Particular attention is given to organisations operating in rural areas or with limited resources, for whom the digital transition remains especially challenging.

Through the subgrants, the call aims to support initiatives that advance digital literacy, promote meaningful and responsible online civic participation, and foster safer and more informed use of digital technologies among young people and community actors. This includes building essential digital skills within community organisations, encouraging ethical and informed engagement through digital tools, and expanding CSOs’ capacity to interact constructively with public institutions via digital channels.

The call aligns with Moldova’s broader democratic and digital transformation, contributing to a more resilient and inclusive civil society capable of engaging confidently and effectively in an increasingly digital public sphere.

Within this effort, the supported organisations will act as Digital Ambassadors, who are entrusted with fostering responsible and informed online participation, guiding communities in the use of digital tools for civic engagement, and helping citizens navigate the digital landscape with greater confidence and awareness.

2. Scope of the support programme 

Selected organizations will receive financial support in the form of grants managed by People in Need Moldova. This funding will enable them to cover the costs of their project activities.

Selected organizations will be able to receive tailored, on-demand consultancy support in organizational development and other relevant areas through the CONTACT Centre.

2. Grants’ modalities 

The funding amount for each proposal is up to EUR 15,000. 

The projects should last between 7 and 11 months and be implemented starting February 2026.  

The grant recipients will sign a contribution agreement (grant contract) with PIN. As selected organisations will be exempted from VAT from the costs incurred within this grant, the budget proposal should contain the planned costs excluding VAT. 

Eligible activities and priorities of the call 

Below please find the example of types of activities that are eligible for funding. The list is neither exhaustive nor cumulative. Additional types of activities may be considered, provided they align with the objectives of this call for proposals. These examples are offered as suggestions to inspire potential applicants and guide their project design.  Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative initiatives that align with the objectives and priorities of this Call.

Priority 1. Strengthening civil society use of digital tools for democracy

• Support for CSOs and citizens to use public e-governance platforms to participate in consultations and decision-making;
• Capacity-building and workshops on digital tools for project management, communication, visibility, and monitoring (for example Google Workspace or Canva);
• Development and implementation of organisational digital-transformation or innovation strategies, particularly for regional CSOs;
• Application of artificial-intelligence-based tools for analysis, advocacy, communication, or community engagement, supporting responsible and transparent use of AI to enhance participation;
• Improving communication with citizens and public stakeholders through social media, newsletters, or digital storytelling;
• Networking and peer-learning sessions to exchange good practices in digitalisation, including dedicated exchanges on engaging citizens, youth groups, and underrepresented communities.

Priority 2. Supporting responsible, informed, and safe online behaviour among citizens and young people

• Awareness-raising activities on digital rights, cybersecurity, and safe online practices;
• Educational and training programmes for youth on digital literacy, online safety, and countering hate speech or misinformation;
• Creation of digital materials such as videos, infographics, mobile apps, or social-media content that promote civic engagement and democratic values;
• Empowering young people to design and deliver digital courses, workshops, or campaigns on civic and community issues;
• Workshops, webinars, or mentorship sessions promoting inclusive and responsible digital participation.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider both priorities of the call, and to include civil society organisations from the region among their beneficiaries, alongside wider community members. Proposals are expected to demonstrate meaningful outreach within the sector, and applicants are encouraged to design activities that will engage at least 75 CSO representatives over the course of the project. Proposals are encouraged to emphasise engagement with organisations operating in rural areas or with limited resources, for whom the digital transition remains especially challenging, as well as with groups facing difficulties in digital literacy and responsible online participation.

The following types of activities are ineligible for funding: 

• Actions that focus primarily on individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, or congresses;  
• Actions which relate solely or mainly to individual scholarships for studies or training courses; 
• Actions that support political parties or candidates during elections; 
• Retroactive financing for projects that are already in progress or have been completed;  
• Projects that provide exclusive benefits to individuals or restricted groups of individuals will not qualify for funding.  
• Environmentally harmful projects will not receive funding, and the purchase of equipment is only permissible if it is directly linked to the implementation of the project. 

Application and selection process 

The following provides an overview of the application and selection process from the publication of the guidelines to the start of implementation. 

Indicative timeline  

*Questions related to the Call for Proposals can be sent to the email within the deadline: concurs.moldova@peopleinneed.net.

 Full application submission 

The application period is open immediately and will close on Monday, 22nd December 2025; (23:59, GMT+3, Chișinău time). The full application package is composed of: 

• Annex B – Application Form Eng – Ro / Application Form Eng – Ru;  Attention! The application forms were updated on 03.12.2025
• Annex C – Budget Form; 
• Confirmation of the organization’s registration; 
• Sworn Statement – available in Romanian, Russian and English versions. 

Applications should be sent to concurs.moldova@peopleinneed.net

INSPIRED Moldova is an EU-funded project running from 2024 to 2027 which aims to contribute to creating an enabling environment for civil society in Moldova by empowering civil society organisations (CSOs) to actively engage in policy discussions at all levels. Building on the momentum generated by the EU accession process, the project facilitates policy dialogue processes on the enabling environment for civil society and relevant plans and programmes stemming from the accession negotiations. Recognising the importance of prioritising democracy building in the EU’s new methodology on the fundamentals first accession criteria, the initiative will strengthen the capacities of CSOs to act as catalysts for democracy both at national and local level and in the digital sphere. 

People in Need (PIN) will complement this support with core induction training focused on grant implementation, compliance, and reporting standards. PIN is a non-profit organisation committed to building a world where people are not restricted by poverty, discrimination, or lack of opportunity. Guided by its mission to promote inclusive and sustainable development, PIN works to ensure that individuals and communities can participate fully in decision-making and enjoy their rights in practice. More information about PIN Moldova is available at https://moldova.peopleinneed.net