Open Call No. 3 for Pre-Defined Project 1
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About this call
The purpose of this call is to select one Project Promoter to implement the pre-defined project (PDP1) “Legal and Crisis Management Support for Civil Society Organisations” under the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia. While the project framework encompasses three mutually reinforcing dimensions — legal protection, crisis preparedness, and institutional resilience — the primary and strategic priority of this intervention is legal protection. Crisis preparedness and institutional resilience are understood as complementary pillars that strengthen and operationalise this core objective. The project responds to a documented and growing pattern of legal, administrative, and reputational pressure targeting civil society organisations in Slovakia, particularly those engaged in advocacy, watchdog activities, human rights protection, gender equality, and minority rights. These pressures include abusive legal proceedings, retaliatory actions, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP-type lawsuits), administrative harassment, and reputational attacks. Within this framework, particular emphasis is expected to be placed on the provision of specialised legal services, including expert consultations and legal representation where necessary. This may encompass the preparation and, where appropriate, the conduct of strategic litigation aimed at clarifying, defending, or safeguarding fundamental rights and civic freedoms. It also includes legal defence in cases of abusive or retaliatory proceedings, including SLAPP-type lawsuits, depending on needs identified during implementation. As this is a pre-defined project, the overall thematic scope, objectives, and expected results are fixed by the Fund Operator and approved by the Donors. However, applicants for the role of Project Promoter are expected to propose: a coherent implementation methodology, clear operational mechanisms for providing legal protection and crisis support, criteria and procedures for selecting beneficiary CSOs, a sustainable delivery model, and appropriate partnership arrangements. The Project Promoter has flexibility in designing the operational model and delivery tools, provided that the proposal remains clearly anchored in the defined priority of strengthening legal protection as the central intervention logic of PDP1.
Who can apply
All eligible applicants must abide by the common values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and comply with the fundamental rights and obligations enshrined in relevant instruments and standards. The applicant is the entity responsible for the overall initiation, preparation and implementation of the project (the Project Promoter). Eligible applicants are CSOs that are established in Slovakia and fall within the following definition: A non-profit voluntary organisation with a non-commercial purpose, independent of local, regional and central government, public entities, political parties and commercial organisations. Religious institutions and political parties, social partners or profit-distributing cooperatives are not eligible applicants. Eligible candidates must meet the following general conditions: Are non-profit, being organisations that have not been created nor operate to generate personal profit. Although it may have paid staff and may engage in revenue-generating activities, it does not distribute profits to its members nor to its board. Where revenue-generating activities are undertaken, these do not represent the purpose of the non-profit organisation, but are a means to support its mission and values; Have members who do not have any direct commercial interest in the outcome of the work of the organisation or of its activities, and the organisation does not pursue the commercial or professional interests of its members. This definition therefore excludes trade- and professional chambers and associations, where the aims and purposes of the association is to further the specific interests of its members only; Are voluntary in nature, formed voluntarily by groups or individuals, and where the organisation is membership based, membership is not compulsory for any group or individual. Any applicant must agree to the principles and procedures of the Programme’s Policy for the Protection of Vulnerable Persons and Children under the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia and commit to complying with them by signing the Declaration of Honour when submitting the application. More specifically, eligible applicants must be registered in Slovakia under one of the following legislative acts: Civic Association according to the Act No. 83/1990 Coll. on the Association of Citizens; Foundation according to the Act No. 34/2002 Coll. on Foundations; Non-profit Organisation Providing Public Beneficial Services according to the Act No. 213/1997 Coll. Non-investment Fund according to the Act No. 34/2002 Coll. on Non-investment Funds; Non-profit Organisation according to the Act No. 116/85 Coll. on terms for activities of organisations with international aspect; Association of Legal Entities under the Act no. 40/1964 Coll. - Civil Code; Slovak Red Cross under the Act no. 460/2007 Coll. on the Slovak Red Cross. Religious institutions and political parties, social partners, profit-distributing cooperatives or informal groups are not eligible applicants. Faith-based organisations are eligible if they meet the principles identified above and if the funded activities do not directly or indirectly promote a religious doctrine, mission or proselytism related to the beliefs of a particular faith.