Funding 47 projects in Greece and Cyprus that aim to protect the fundamental rights and values of the EU.
The Bodossaki Foundation, as co-funder and coordinator, in consortium with the NGO Support Centre in Cyprus, announces the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) which have been selected to receive funding under the “Protecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law through an open civic space” (PLATO) programme, with an overall budget of €3.1 million.
The PLATO Programme is co-funded by the European Union —under the “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values” programme (CERV-2024-CITIZENS-VALUES)—, the Bodossaki Foundation, and the NGO Support Centre. PLATO aims to protect, promote and raise awareness of EU fundamental rights & values by supporting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Greece & Cyprus active in these fields, by increasing their knowledge, capacity and sustainability.
Additionally, PLATO offers a comprehensive capacity-building and professional support programme tailored to the specific needs of CSOs in Greece and Cyprus, aimed at promoting their organisational development and sustainability. This includes specialised awareness-raising activities to enhance the role of Civil Society in promoting the rule of law, a cycle of training on organisational development, professional support services (such as team mentoring, executive coaching, and consultancy), and networking opportunities.
Under the programme, two open calls for proposals from CSOs seeking financial support were published in March 2025. Their titles were: “Empowering Civil Society to promote the rule of law, participatory democracy, good governance, and defend civic space and media freedom.” (1st call) and “Protecting and promoting human rights, democracy, and equality by empowering vulnerable groups.” (2nd call).
Following the evaluation of the proposals submitted, it is now announced that a total of 39 projects in Greece and 8 projects in Cyprus will receive funding.
To support the organisations in the design of their proposals, 10 training sessions were held during the submission period in six cities in Greece and Cyprus, as well as online. Participants were provided with information about the programme, along with practical training in proposal writing. In addition, to highlight the key role Civil Society Organisations play in promoting the rule of law , 8 information and awareness-raising workshops were staged with the participation of representatives from European Civil Society Networks—NENO (Network of Estonian Non-profit Organisations, Estonia) and CNVSO (Slovenia)—who shared best practices from their own countries and across the EU.
The geographical coverage of the funded projects’ actions extends to much of Greece and Cyprus. In Greece, activities will be implemented from Thrace and Macedonia in the North to Crete in the South, and from Epirus and Western Greece across to the islands of the North Aegean. In Cyprus, activities will be implemented in the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Famagusta.
The projects selected for funding are listed below by country and by call, along with their implementing organizations and partners:
Projects to be funded in Greece:
1st Call: Empowering Civil Society to promote the rule of law, participatory democracy, good governance, and defend civic space and media freedom.
- Project title: Eco-observers: Citizens acting for environmental justice – OIKOS
Implementing Organization: Organisation Earth
Partner: Pindos Perivallontiki - Project title: From Strasbourg to Greece: Mapping the Violations, Demanding Accountability – Justice Footprint
Implementing Organization: Hellenic League for Human Rights - Project title: Towards an Open State: Participation, Advocacy, Empowerment of Civil Society Organisations – ENERGO
Implementing Organization: HIGGS- Higher Incubator Giving Growth and Sustainability - Project title: Open Societies – Open Microphones: Defending Public Speech and Media Freedom
Implementing Organization: KEAN – Cell of Alternative Youth Activities
Partner: Active Youths Western Macedonia - Project title: EVNOMIA – Observatory for Equal Access to Justice in Cases of Gender-Based Violence
Implementing Organization: ERIFILI CENTRE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION - Project title: Civil Society participation in shaping ethical frameworks in the era of AI – S.I.M.A.
Implementing Organization: Culture for Change - Project title: Strengthening the Resilience of and Confidence in the Hellenic Parliament to Protect the Rule of Law – ENA-KD
Implementing Organization: Vouliwatch - Project title: Democracy in Action- DemoAct
Implementing Organization: Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) - Project title: Open Frequencies: A narrative research podcast on democracy and neglected communities in rural Greece
Implementing Organization: SOLOMON Civil Non-Profit Company - Project title: Patient Association Community Platform: An open and participatory forum for dialogue between patient associations and health policy makers in Greece
Implementing Organization: Greek Patients’ Association - Project title: Empowering Civil Society for the Rule of Law and Transparency in Western Macedonia – DIADYM
Implementing Organization: Hellas for Us - Project title: ODYSSEAS – Open Decentralised System for Safe and Ethical Journalism
Implementing Organization: Action for Civil Society - Project title: Restorative Justice in Domestic Violence: When the wound becomes strength- Justice that heals – EPA-DIKI
Implementing Organization: Centre for the Study of Crime CIVIL NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION - Project title: Forum for Institutional Dialogue and Participatory Governance – B.R.I.D.G.E
Implementing Organization: ALBA Association for Training and Applied Research in Business Management - Project Title: Re-Publica State-Community Alliances for Urban Commons: Designing innovative models for creative, community-based stewardship of heritage buildings
Implementing Organization: “Communitism” Citizens’ Association for the Preservation of Modern Cultural Heritage - Project title: Youth Voice: An Inclusive Dialogue for a More Democratic Future
Implementing Organization: Club Serres for UNESCO - Project title: Active Citizens in Aigialeia: Democracy, Transparency, Inclusion & Leadership – E.P.I.D.R.A.S.I
Implementing Organization: Ilios Cultural Association of Selianitika
2nd Call: Protecting and promoting human rights, democracy, and equality by empowering vulnerable groups.
- Project title: Creation of a School for Roma Mediators in the Region of Thessaly – NaneBangipe
Implementing Organization: Roma without Borders - Project title: Health, Inclusion, Visibility +- HIV+
Implementing Organization: Greek Association of People Living with HIV – Positive Voice - Project title: Sports for Inclusion: Goals for gender rights- G.O.A.L.
Implementing Organization: ActionAid
Partner: We Need Books - Project title: Enhancing the active participation of people with dementia and neuropsychiatric disorders in both public life and advocacy for the defence and promotion of their rights; akaDIMia
Implementing Organization: Challedu
Partner: Public Benefit Association for the Relief and Care of the Elderly and People with Disabilities – “Frodizo” - Project title: Building Communities without Discrimination: Supporting refugees and migrants in the face of racism and hate crimes – INCLUDE
Implementing Organization: HIAS Greece
Partner: NLA – Northern Lights Aid - Project title: Creating communities based on dignity and human rights: The Selamet Model
Implementing Organization: Lesvos Solidarity - Project title: Voices of Silence: Strengthening the political participation of invisible citizens
Implementing Organization: Cohesion Network 2gether
Partner: Emfasis - Project title: VITA – Visibility, Inclusion, Transformation, Advocacy
Implementing Organization: DIOGENIS NGO- SCHEDIA - Project title: DIVES – Diversity, Visibility, Support for Older People
Implementing Organization: Centre for Research on Women’s Issues, Centre Diotima for Gender Rights and Equality
Partner: Proud Seniors Greece LGBTQI Support Group for People Aged 50 and Over - Project title: Holistic Education and Ethical Knowledge for Families and School Contexts on Chios – ODIGOS
Implementing Organization: Child and Adolescent’s Centre - Project title: Leadership in Action: Participation of women aged 45+ in Democracy
Implementing Organization: Association of Women over 40 - Project title: Advocacy Zones – ZO+
Implementing Organization: “Include” Interdisciplinary Network for Special & Intercultural Education - Project title: Neurodiversity and Adolescence: Body, Relationships and Consent; NEOSSS
Implementing Organization: Os Aido - Project title: Inclusive Vocational Guidance: Vocational Interests tool for people with disabilities – “EPANA”
Implementing Organization: Career Sign AMKE - Project title: Creativity and Expression as a means to Develop Active Citizenship among Prisoners – Anagennisi
Implementing Organization: “Aristotle” Association of Scientists of Central Macedonia - Project title: Listening to the Voices: Narrative and Rights in Mental Health – AFOPSY
Implementing Organization: Adrachti Storytelling Non-profit Civil Company - Project title: Strengthening the Rights and Social Participation of Older People – E.DI.K.O.S.H.
Implementing Organization: Solidarity Support Protection Equality Intercultural Development - Project title: Together at the Table: Boosting the Empowerment and Participating of Vulnerable Communities through Collective Eating and Knowledge – EnSyKo
Implementing Organization: Pervolarides of Thessaloniki - Project title: Right to Play – Right to Talk: Educational Video Game for Young People – EN.DY.NA.MO.SH
Implementing Organization: Kissamos Social Spot - Project title: Theatre and Music for Social Reintegration and Rights – AnevaZO!
Implementing Organization: Texnodromo - Project title: Beyond the Frame
Implementing Organization: AMAKA - Project title: Re-training and integrating homeless peers for social and labour rights – E.K.E.A.D.
Implementing Organization: ITHACA
Projects to be funded on Cyprus:
1st Call: Empowering Civil Society to promote the rule of law, participatory democracy, good governance, and defend civic space and media freedom.
- Project Title: Vis-à-Vis: Civic Space for Society and Culture
Implementing Organization: Visual Voices - Project title: Expanding Democratic Space for Environmental Civil Society
Implementing Organization: Friends of the Earth Cyprus - Project title: Strengthening Civil Society to Promote Rights-Based Social Welfare
Implementing Organization: G.F.C. Generation for Change CY - Project title: POLIS FORUM – fostering dialogue between citizens, civil society organizations, and authorities
Implementing Organization: CIVIL SOCIETY ADVOCATES
2nd Call: Protecting and promoting human rights, democracy, and equality by empowering vulnerable groups.
- Project title: Platform for the Independent and Inclusive Democratic Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Cyprus
Implementing Organization: Cyprus Paraplegic Organisation - Project title: Toward a Migrant-Inclusive Culture of Respectful Maternity Care
Implementing Organization: Birth Forward Cyprus
Partner: Cyprus Refugee Council - Project title: Accessible Information on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Easy-to-Read and Pictorial Representation
Implementing Organization: Research & Innovation Centre for Social and Educational Sciences
Partner: Dikaioma Elpidas For People With Disabilitites - Project title: ReclaimTheFeed: Empowering Teen Voices for Equality and Digital Respect
Implementing Organization: Be an Ally Foundation
To find out more about the projects and organisations to be funded, visit here.
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 the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.