Civitates: the Fund for Democracy and Solidarity in Europe

About this grant

The program goal is to promote, protect and reinvigorate the space for civic engagement in Europe. To this end, the Network of European Foundations will manage Civitates, a grantmaking fund to: 1) improve the space for independent civil society organizations and media to operate and promote constructive civic engagement; 2) foster a healthy online and offline environment for public debate and discourse; and 3) catalyze effective public and private funding for democracy and civic space in Europe. The grantee will manage and grow the fund, make grants and provide networking and technical assistance to nonprofits working on these issues across Europe. Since its establishment in 2018, through Civitates, the grantee has awarded approximately €10 million in grants to 50 organizations in 18 European countries. Civitates is supported by 18 private foundations. The Network of European Foundations is based in Brussels, Belgium.