BFW Announces Feminist Opportunities for Resilience and Community Empowerment (FORCE) Program
The FORCE Program marks the largest funding initiative in the history of the Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW), with a total investment of BGN 3,520,494.00 dedicated to fostering feminist solidarity against gender-based violence. The program will support projects led by civil society organizations addressing this critical issue, including violence in the contexts of migration, domestic abuse, and all forms of violence against LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Eligible organizations can apply for grants ranging from BGN 19,558.30 (EUR 10,000) to BGN 117,349.80 (EUR 60,000) for project durations of up to 22 months, concluding no later than 31 October 2026.
General information
The program is designed to support NGOs that work directly with survivors of gender-based violence, engage in advocacy to enhance legislative frameworks, and promote societal change by addressing gender stereotypes. This includes initiatives such as awareness-raising campaigns, community mobilization, and capacity-building efforts targeting professionals and institutions.
In addition to funding, the program offers tailored capacity-building opportunities to meet the needs of applicant organizations. These include organizational development training, fundraising workshops, advocacy and community mobilization sessions, networking events, and experience-sharing forums.
By combining financial support with these capacity-building efforts, the program aims to strengthen the institutional independence of supported organizations. It will help teams develop strategic planning capabilities and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to diversify and secure sustainable financial resources, fostering long-term impact.
Application requirements
For complete details on the eligibility criteria, application process, and funding conditions for the Feminist Opportunities for Resilience and Community Empowerment (FORCE) Program, please refer to the Application Guidelines.
Eligible Candidates
To apply, organizations must be registered in Bulgaria under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act (NPOA) and operate for public benefit. If applying with a partner, these conditions apply to the partner as well.
The following entities are not eligible for funding:
- Non-profit private benefit associations and foundations.
- Community centers, trade unions, and commercial organizations.
- International organizations not registered in Bulgaria.
- Cooperatives, unregistered collectives, and individuals.
Applicant NGOs and their partners must:
- Be independent of local, regional, or central government authorities, public institutions, and partisan, religious, or commercial interests.
- Uphold and promote the values of the European Union, including human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, especially for minorities and vulnerable groups.
Applications from “at-risk” organizations are strongly encouraged. These include:
- Small, underdeveloped, or newly established local organizations, particularly those led by their communities, working in underprivileged areas or on controversial issues.
- Organizations with no project history, no permanent team, and an annual budget under BGN 100,000.
- Those prioritizing women, girls, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups, who face significant challenges for their essential work.
Partnership
Applications involving one or more partner organizations are encouraged, with a maximum of 10 organizations per proposal. All partner NGOs must meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.
An organization can serve as the lead applicant for one project and as a partner in another, as long as the total funding received for each approved project in the FORCE Program does not exceed EUR 60,000 (BGN 117,349.80). Additionally, there must be no overlap of activities across the projects it is involved in.
Failure to meet these conditions may result in the rejection of the project proposal.
Financial Aspects of the Open Call
The total budget for the call is BGN 3,520,494.00 (EUR 1,800,000.00).
An organization may apply for funding within the following ranges:
- Minimum: BGN 19,558.30 (EUR 10,000)
- Maximum: BGN 117,349.80 (EUR 60,000)
The project duration can be up to 22 months, but no later than 31 October 2026.
Important: The maximum total funding an organization can receive, whether as the lead applicant or partner in any project, is BGN 117,349.80 (EUR 60,000) under the FORCE Program.
Funding may cover up to 100% of eligible costs. If the application is approved, the disbursement will be made in a single instalment after the grant agreement is signed.
Important: If applying with partners, the lead organization must receive at least 51% of the total project budget.
Eligible Activities
The FORCE Program supports a wide range of activities, including prevention, victim support, capacity building, coalition-building, and advocacy. The following activities are eligible for funding:
- Prevention and Combating Gender-Based Violence: Includes online violence and support for people fleeing Russian aggression against Ukraine.
- Coalitions and Partnerships: Strengthening partnerships between NGOs focused on preventing and combating gender-based violence, and strategic cooperation with other public or private stakeholders.
- Monitoring and Advocacy: Providing advice, expertise, and monitoring of EU and international policies, such as the Istanbul Convention, on violence against women.
- Policy Advocacy: Promoting the implementation of laws and policies related to gender-based violence, including advocacy for updates or adoption of relevant legislation.
- Gender-Sensitive Support Services: Providing tailored support for victims, including medical, psychological, trauma-informed services, helplines, legal support, and access to sheltered accommodation.
- Awareness-Raising: Conducting communication campaigns aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing communities to combat gender-based violence.
- Community Mobilization: Engaging directly with target groups (e.g., survivors, cultural mediators, community leaders) to prevent and address violence.
- Combating Gender Stereotypes: Addressing the root causes of gender-based violence, including engaging men and boys in prevention efforts.
- Work with Perpetrators: Interventions aimed at those at risk of perpetrating gender-based violence.
- Legislative Participation and Coordination: Promoting engagement in the development and implementation of relevant legislation and frameworks, including through improved coordination and decision-making mechanisms.
Competition Schedule
- Publication of the notice of competition: 11 September 2024
- Opening of the system: 24 September 2024
- Online information day: 27 September 2024, 11:00
- Closing date for applications: 10 November 2024
- Evaluation of applications and notification: By 15 December 2024
- Signing of grant contracts and disbursement of funds: December 2024 – January 2025
Please note: The above timeline is based on estimated expectations and may be adjusted depending on the number of applications received.
Application Process
The application process is conducted entirely online through the Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) platform.
- Eligibility Test: All applicants must complete a quick eligibility test. If eligible, a link to the online application platform will appear on your screen.
- Creating an Account: For applicants without an account, follow the link provided after the eligibility test to create a user profile on the BFW online platform. After successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the platform.
Tip: Save the link to the BFW application platform in your browser bookmarks for easy access.
- Guidance: For detailed instructions on how to complete the application and organizational profile, refer to the Guide to completing an organizational profile and creating an application on the BFW platform.
For full details on the process and evaluation criteria, please consult the Application Guidelines.
Additional Information and Documents
- Application Guidelines: Includes a detailed description of the grant conditions, eligibility criteria, eligible activities, priority target groups, evaluation and selection criteria, and guidelines for completing the application form.
- General Conditions: Outline the conditions for awarding grant funding under the FORCE – Feminist Solidarity to Counter Gender-Based Violence program, co-financed by the European Union.
- Guide: Provides instructions for completing an organizational profile and submitting an application through the BFW online platform.
- Eligibility Test: Confirm if you meet the application criteria [HERE]. After completing the quiz, you will receive a link to the application platform.
- Support: If you have any questions or encounter technical issues, please contact us at: ask[at]bgfundforwomen.org. Before reaching out, please refer to the FAQ section for up-to-date information on the funding mechanisms. Note: Telephone support is not available.
Register for Information Day
Join us for the online Information Day on 27 September 2024 at 11:00 to get more details and ask your questions live. If you’re unable to attend, a recording of the event will be available to all registered participants afterward.
Registration: Please register in advance to attend [HERE].
BFW is the data controller and processes personal data in accordance with data protection legislation and Regulation (EU) 2016/679. You can read our Personal Data Processing Policy [HERE].
We look forward to receiving your applications and wish you the best of luck!
The FORCE project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Illustration: Judit Canela for Fine Acts
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