Deadline: March 26, 2026
Civil society organisations working at the intersection of economic justice, climate justice, and gender equality now have an opportunity to access new funding through the Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two initiative. This funding call aims to support innovative projects that build stronger connections between economic systems, climate challenges, and social justice movements.
The Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two programme is designed to strengthen grassroots organisations, youth-led initiatives, and smaller non-governmental organisations that often face barriers when applying for large international funding opportunities. Through this grant, eligible organisations can receive financial support to implement projects that raise awareness, influence policy, and mobilise communities around pressing global justice issues.
The programme is implemented by the European Network on Debt and Development, widely known as Eurodad, with funding from the European Union under its Development Education and Awareness Raising Programme (DEAR).
Organisations with strong ideas for advocacy, education, and public engagement on economic and climate justice are encouraged to submit proposals under this competitive funding call.
Overview of the Connecting the Dots Grant Programme
The Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two programme focuses on supporting civil society actors that are working to connect key justice issues affecting communities across the world. The initiative recognises that economic inequality, environmental degradation, and gender injustice are deeply interconnected challenges that require coordinated and collaborative responses.
Many grassroots organisations and youth movements have strong advocacy ideas but lack access to the financial resources needed to implement impactful campaigns. This programme aims to address that gap by providing targeted grants that enable smaller organisations to design and implement meaningful projects.
The grant programme supports projects that promote:
- Awareness and understanding of global economic inequalities
- Advocacy around tax justice and climate justice
- Gender-responsive approaches to economic and environmental policies
- Collaboration between organisations across regions
- Community mobilisation and citizen engagement
By strengthening networks and amplifying voices from grassroots organisations, the programme aims to contribute to broader systemic change in economic and climate governance.
Objectives of the Programme
The Connecting the Dots initiative is designed to promote a holistic understanding of justice issues and to encourage organisations to work across traditional advocacy silos.
The key objectives of the programme include:
1. Strengthening Civil Society Advocacy
The grant programme supports organisations that advocate for policies promoting fair taxation, climate action, and gender equality. These issues are central to addressing structural inequalities at both national and global levels.
2. Promoting Interconnected Justice Approaches
Projects funded under the programme must demonstrate how economic justice, climate justice, and gender justice intersect. This approach recognises that policy solutions must consider multiple dimensions of inequality simultaneously.
3. Empowering Youth and Grassroots Movements
Youth-led organisations and grassroots initiatives often play a critical role in driving social change. The programme therefore prioritises funding for organisations that empower young people and local communities.
4. Encouraging Collaboration and Network Building
Another important goal is to foster collaboration among civil society actors across different countries and regions. Partnerships and coalition-building can help strengthen advocacy campaigns and amplify impact.
Grant Funding Categories
Applicants under the Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two call can apply under one of three funding categories. Each category is designed to accommodate organisations with varying levels of capacity and project scope.
Micro Grants
- Funding amount: €5,000 to €15,000
- Project duration: Up to 12 months
Micro grants are ideal for smaller organisations that want to implement focused activities such as awareness campaigns, workshops, or small-scale advocacy initiatives.
Meso Grants
- Funding amount: €20,000 to €35,000
- Project duration: Up to 18 months
Meso grants support more comprehensive projects that involve multiple activities, partnerships, or extended outreach programmes.
Macro Grants
- Funding amount: €40,000 to €60,000
- Project duration: Up to 18 months
Macro grants are intended for larger projects with wider impact potential. These projects may involve extensive advocacy campaigns, international collaborations, or large-scale community engagement.
Project Timeline
Projects funded under this grant programme will follow a structured implementation timeline.
Key dates include:
- Application Deadline: 26 March 2026 (23:59 CEST)
- Expected Notification of Results: Around 15 May 2026
- Project Start Date: From June 2026
- Final Project Completion: No later than December 2027
Applicants are expected to design projects that can realistically be implemented within the specified timeframe.
Priority Themes
The programme places particular emphasis on linking justice themes across different policy areas.
2026 Focus Area
Projects in 2026 should prioritise the relationship between:
- Tax Justice
- Climate Justice
These themes highlight the importance of fair taxation systems in financing climate action and sustainable development.
2027 Focus Area
For the following phase, projects should emphasise connections between:
- Economic Justice
- Gender Justice
These themes encourage organisations to address gender inequalities within economic structures and climate policies.
Eligible Activities
The Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two programme supports a wide range of activities designed to raise awareness, mobilise communities, and influence policy decisions.
Eligible activities may include the following.
Research and Knowledge Production
Organisations may develop educational and informational resources such as:
- Policy briefs
- Toolkits and guides
- Podcasts
- Videos and documentaries
- Infographics and publications
These materials can help explain complex justice issues to wider audiences.
Capacity-Building Activities
Projects may organise capacity-building programmes such as:
- Workshops and training sessions
- Webinars and seminars
- Educational programmes for youth groups
- Skills-building initiatives for activists and community leaders
These activities strengthen the ability of civil society actors to engage in advocacy and policy dialogue.
Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness campaigns are strongly encouraged. These campaigns may involve:
- Social media advocacy
- Public events and community dialogues
- Media engagement with journalists and influencers
- Creative campaigns that reach broader audiences
Networking and Coalition Building
Organisations may collaborate with other civil society groups to build stronger advocacy networks. Networking activities may include:
- Regional or international partnerships
- Cross-border campaigns
- Collaborative research initiatives
Policy Advocacy
Projects may also engage in advocacy efforts aimed at influencing policies related to:
- Climate finance
- Fair taxation
- Gender equality
- Economic justice
Eligibility Criteria
The Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two call targets organisations that typically face difficulties accessing large international grants.
Eligible applicants include:
- Small and medium-sized civil society organisations
- Youth-led organisations
- Grassroots movements
- Student organisations and community groups
Applicants must be legally registered organisations based in European Union member states or EU candidate countries.
The programme intentionally prioritises organisations with limited administrative capacity to ensure that funding reaches smaller groups that may otherwise be excluded from major funding opportunities.
Large international NGOs with extensive financial and administrative capacity are generally not the primary target of this funding call.
Co-Financing Requirement
Applicants must provide a minimum of 10% co-financing for their proposed project.
The co-financing can come from several sources, including:
- Organisational funds
- Donations
- Membership contributions
- Other non-EU funding sources
This requirement demonstrates commitment and shared responsibility for the project’s implementation.
Application Process
Organisations interested in applying must complete the official application process outlined by the programme.
The process includes the following steps:
- Complete the official application form provided by the programme organisers.
- Prepare a detailed project budget using the required template.
- Ensure that all documents are submitted in English.
- Send the completed application and budget template by email to the designated submission address.
Applications will undergo a competitive evaluation process conducted by the programme organisers.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals submitted under the Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two programme will be assessed based on several criteria.
Relevance
Projects must clearly address the programme’s themes of economic, climate, and gender justice.
Impact
Applicants should demonstrate the potential impact of their project in terms of community engagement, policy influence, and public awareness.
Feasibility
The proposed activities must be realistic and achievable within the specified timeline and budget.
Collaboration
Projects that involve partnerships or networks may receive additional consideration.
Communication and Outreach
Strong communication strategies that reach diverse audiences are encouraged.
Why This Grant Matters
The challenges of climate change, economic inequality, and gender discrimination are deeply interconnected. Addressing these issues requires collaborative approaches that bring together civil society actors, policymakers, and communities.
The Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two programme recognises the vital role that smaller civil society organisations play in shaping public discourse and influencing policy decisions.
By providing financial support and encouraging cross-sector collaboration, the programme aims to empower organisations to build stronger movements for justice and sustainability.
Final Thoughts
For organisations working at the intersection of economic justice, climate advocacy, and gender equality, the Connecting the Dots Grant Applications Round Two programme represents a valuable funding opportunity.
With grants ranging from €5,000 to €60,000, the initiative supports innovative projects that promote awareness, strengthen advocacy networks, and mobilise communities for meaningful change.
Organisations with strong ideas and commitment to social justice are encouraged to prepare competitive proposals before the application deadline.
Need Help Preparing a Strong Grant Proposal?
Developing a compelling grant proposal requires careful planning, clear articulation of objectives, and a well-structured budget.
If you need professional support with proposal drafting, proposal refinement, or proposal review, expert guidance can significantly increase your chances of success.
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
Application Links
To participate in the programme, access the official resources below:
