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Seeds of Democracy: Connecting people and Communities – Call for Proposals for Organisations

Feb 17, 2026

Citizens engagement Good governance

A Call for Proposal for Organisations to develop their own projects on EU key values. A Call for ALDA members to fund local actions up to 15.000 Euro!

ALDA, in the context of the Operating Grant of the CERV programme, will support initiatives which align with ALDA Thematic Hubs.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate: 12 projects will be funded!

The Call is open to legal entities, private non-profit organisations (private bodies), established in an EU Member State, which must be members of ALDA before the signature of the grant contract

This call for proposals aims to support initiatives and actions aimed at strengthening local democracy and local communities and at enhancing citizens’ active participation in democratic life. Actions should promote inclusive, participatory and community-led processes that engage local actors and decision-makers, encourage a sense of belonging and shared responsibility, and translate European rights and values into tangible local practices.

The actions must align with the priorities set by ALDA’s Thematic Hubs. Proposals should clearly identify the thematic hub under which their action falls and how it contributes to the overarching goals within that theme.

  1. Environment & Climate HUB

The Environment & Climate Hub connects citizens, institutions, and local authorities to address environmental challenges and advance the green transition, focusing on four priorities: climate change adaptation and mitigation, green skills and education, circular economy, and an inclusive transition. 

The two key priorities for this year’s call are: 

  • Inclusive transition: supporting engagement and capacity building that is inclusive and “leaves none behind”, recognising the role of citizens in shaping environmental policies and actions and promoting inclusive environmental citizenship.
  • Local citizens’ engagement in climate action: strengthening cooperation and synergies among local actors working on the green transition, and supporting community-based climate initiatives. 
  1. Digital and Innovation HUB

The Digital & Innovation Hub focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and democratic processes. It advocates for an ethical, inclusive, and accessible approach to digital transformation, ensuring that new tools strengthen rather than undermine local democracy and citizen engagement.

The two key priorities for this year’s call are:

  • Online participation and e-governance to make local decision-making more transparent and inclusive.
  • Media & information literacy, including prebunking/debunking disinformation.
  1. Gender Inclusion & Human Rights HUB
  • Advancing gender-responsive civic participation and governance.Support initiatives that enhance women’s, young girls’ and marginalised group’s representation and participation in politics, leadership roles and society as a whole.
  • Promote and foster human rights and social justice initiatives that protect and advocate for fundamental rights, combat discrimination and support marginalised communities through education, dialogue and community-based initiatives that challenge stereotypes and systemic exclusion.
  • Countering hate speech and gender-based violence: campaigns, training and advocacy efforts that challenge harmful narratives and promote safe, respectful environments. 
  1. Migration HUB
  • Support active meaningful participation and local inclusion of people with migrant backgrounds (immigrants, refugees, undocumented, diaspora, on the move with living migration experience) in decision-making processes starting from the local level.
  • Promote innovative community-led initiatives at the local level that foster inclusion and bring benefits to both migrant and host communities.
  • Capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, combat mis/disinformation, de-centralized and decolonized approaches toward integration, advocacy activities that promote positive narratives for key actors working in the migration sector.
  1. Youth Empowerment & Education HUB

The Youth Empowerment and Education hub’s activities include capacity building and training activities for young people and youth workers, advocacy for the benefits of young people and their meaningful participation in political life and society. 

The key priorities for this year’s call are: 

  • Advance the capabilities and political education of young people to ensure their meaningful participation in political life and society.
  • Encourage and support local democratic actors working with and for young people.
  • Ensure the representation of these local democratic actors at the European level. 
  1. Territorial and Local Development HUB
  • promoting concrete initiatives about SDGs localisation, in particular focused on SDG11 – make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable 
  • increasing knowledge and/or experimenting citizens participation on urban regeneration, common uses of public spaces and housing
  • contributing to community-led territorial development and cultural heritage, especially enhancing local productive, economic, and cultural chains (for instance, sustainable tourism, historical/cultural routes)

The contribution from the sub granting scheme will cover 100% of the total eligible costs of the total budget for the activity

The grants awarded will be: 15.000 Eur each, 12 projects in total.

Activities must take place in the EU.

Read the full Call for Proposals to have all the information about the call and how to apply. The Call will be open until April 1st 2026 at 23:59 CET. Here is the link to send your application. 

On March 4th at 12:00 CET ALDA will host a webinar to present the call and to answer some questions related to it. Please, make sure to attend the webinar by registering here

The applicants will receive support by the ALDA team during the proposal writing process. Any questions can be sent to this email address: regranting@alda-europe.eu

Useful material and links:

[Call published on February 17th 2026]