Illustration: Fátima Bravo for Fine Acts
On May 9, Europe Day, Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) launches the “Values” project funding program. This initiative aims to support organizations operating at the local, regional, or national levels that work towards protecting, promoting, and raising awareness of fundamental rights, gender equality, European Union (EU) values, the rule of law, and democracy.
Funding Details
The total budget allocated for the program is BGN 977,915. Organizations can apply for financial support of up to BGN 39,116.60 for a project duration of up to 12 months. BFW strongly encourages applications from small, underdeveloped, and newly established local community-led organizations, particularly those operating in underprivileged areas or on contested issues. Special consideration will be given to organizations without prior project history or a permanent team, those based outside the capital, and entities with an annual budget below BGN 100,000.
General Information
The “Values” program is designed to reinforce fundamental human rights, democratic participation, citizen engagement, and the promotion of EU values. It aligns with BFW’s mission to foster an inclusive, sustainable, and pro-democratic civil society in Bulgaria.
Through this program, BFW will support independent civil society organizations whose primary mission involves defending and promoting fundamental rights, gender equality, EU values, the rule of law, and democracy. The competitive grant process prioritizes organizations working on underrepresented and contested human rights issues, particularly those focusing on women’s rights, LGBTIQ+ rights, and the rights of other vulnerable groups. Additionally, projects that tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality will be given preference.
By providing funding with simplified administrative requirements to a minimum of 25 NGOs—especially underdeveloped and newly registered ones—the program ensures access to resources for groups that traditionally face funding challenges. This initiative will broaden BFW’s network of grant recipients, enhance NGOs’ role in public processes, and strengthen their capacity to achieve their mission. It also seeks to foster partnerships at the local level, reinforce sustainability, and proactively protect fundamental rights while promoting citizen participation in decision-making and structural change.
Application Conditions
Comprehensive information on the application requirements and procedures for the “Values” program can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Eligible Applicants
Only organizations registered in Bulgaria under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act (NPLE) and operating in the public interest are eligible to apply. If an organization applies with a partner, the same eligibility conditions apply to the partner organization as well.
Ineligible entities for this call include:
- Non-profit associations and foundations operating for private benefit
- Community centers
- Trade unions
- International organizations not registered in Bulgaria
- Commercial companies and cooperatives
- Unregistered collectives and individuals
Eligible applicants and their partners (if applicable) must operate independently of local, regional, or central government bodies, public institutions, political parties, religious organizations, and commercial interests. They must uphold and advocate for the core values of the EU, including respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights—especially the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups.
Data Protection & Compliance
BFW is a personal data controller and ensures compliance with EU Regulation 2016/679 on data protection. Read our personal data processing policy HERE.
The BIRDS in BG project is co-financed by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the issuing body can be held responsible for them.
