European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide assistance to the Commission as well.

The German Foreign Office has announced the Open Partnerships for Resilience (OPR) program for 2024, providing funding opportunities for civil society organisations in Germany, Eastern Partnership countries, Russia, France, and Poland.

The OPR program supports initiatives that aim to strengthen pluralism and resilience, promote value discourses and human rights, create future prospects and democratic transformation, and support dialogue and approximation. Projects must meet these overarching goals to be eligible for funding.

German organisations are the only entities that can apply for funding, always in collaboration with civil society partners in the program countries. The minimum application amount per year is set at 50,000 EUR, with funding typically annual, although some exceptions may last up to 3 years.

Interested parties can submit their project ideas in October/November before the funding year on a dedicated website. After evaluation and assessment of funding prospects, formal funding applications can be submitted at the beginning of the funding year.

Expenses for evaluations are eligible for funding, and measures involving state institutions are excluded from funding. In exceptional cases, funding can also be applied for in third countries/other countries.

For the 2024 program, the main priorities are the preservation and rebuilding of democratically oriented civil society structures, strengthening resilience against disinformation, and the particular support of vulnerable groups.

The OPR program emphasises the role of civil societies as key stakeholders in democratic developments in their countries. Measures that foster sustainable civil society structures for cooperation between democratic, non-state actors from Germany and the participating countries are highly encouraged.

The contact for funding applications is [email protected]. The OPR program's funding priorities are adjusted and set annually in coordination with the competent foreign representations and country desks in the Federal Foreign Office.

While the text does not specify which German organisations are eligible to participate in the OPR program or are allowed to establish partnerships with civil society organisations in the Eastern Partnership countries and Russia, it is understood that these entities play a crucial role in the program's success.

In summary, the OPR program offers a valuable opportunity for civil society organisations to secure funding for projects that align with the program's overarching goals and the 2024 priorities. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their project ideas during the application period.

European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide assistance to the Commission as well.