Raising our voices against gender-based violence
An initiative encouraging teenage girls and boys to discuss what constitutes a safe relationship. A group that supports Roma women in their empowerment and networking. A project focusing on domestic violence against women over the age of 60.
These are just a few of the 36 projects that will be implemented in Greece and Cyprus with the support of the VOICES programme grant, sharing a common goal: to prevent and combat gender-based violence.
The projects focus on preventing and combatting domestic and sexual violence, gender-based violence in cyberspace, and harmful practices associated with gender-based violence. They combine prevention and awareness-raising with support and empowerment, networking, and cooperation, ranging from strengthening professionals and stakeholders who come into contact with incidents of gender-based violence to improving institutional response.
The project activities have a wide geographical spread across Greece and Cyprus. In Greece, actions will be implemented from Macedonia to Crete and from Epirus to the North Aegean islands. In Cyprus, actions extend across the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Famagusta.
The VOICES programme
The “Voicing opposition to domestic, sexual, cyber violence & harmful practices” (VOICES) programme aims to prevent and combat all forms of gender-based violence by supporting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Greece and Cyprus active in this field, as well as by enhancing their organisational capacity, sustainability, and participation in policy-making.
It is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the Bodossaki Foundation, the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights, and the NGO Support Centre, with a total grant amount of €2.5 million. VOICES programme is coordinated by the Bodossaki Foundation, in partnership with the NGO Support Centre and the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights.
How the 36 projects were selected
In April 2026, the open call for proposals entitled ‘Preventing and Combatting Diverse Forms of Gender-Based Violence’ was published, focusing on the following three priority areas:
- Preventing and Combatting Domestic and Sexual Violence (Priority 1)
- Preventing and Combatting Gender-Based Cyber Violence (Priority 2)
- Preventing and Combatting GBV-related Harmful Practices (Priority 3)
The call received 159 proposals and, following evaluation, 29 projects in Greece and 7 projects in Cyprus were selected for funding, as presented below. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting small, grassroots organisations as well as organisations operating in rural or remote areas.
To support organisations in designing their proposals, 10 training sessions were held during the application period in 6 cities across Greece and Cyprus, as well as online, providing information about the programme and practical training in proposal writing. Additionally, 4 awareness-raising workshops were organised on the European regulatory framework for preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence.
Capacity-Building Programme
Funding the 36 selected projects is part of a broader effort by VOICES to strengthen Civil Society in Greece and Cyprus. The programme also offers a comprehensive capacity-building programme tailored to the needs of civil society organisations in both countries, with the ultimate goal of fostering their organisational development and sustainability.
The Capacity Building Programme is implemented by Social Dynamo, the Bodossaki Foundation’s NGO Hub, in collaboration with the NGO Support Centre and the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights. It includes training courses, workshops, mentoring, specialized support, networking activities, awareness-raising, and advocacy actions, as well as organisational development tools, aiming to enhance the contribution of organisations to systemic changes for the prevention of, and combatting gender-based violence.
The Selected Projects
Below are the projects selected for funding, their implementing bodies, and partners, listed in alphabetical order by country and call:
Funded projects in Greece:
Preventing and Combatting Domestic and Sexual Violence (Priority 1)
• Project title: Agalia: Empowering the Island Community to Prevent and Combat Domestic and Sexual Violence
-Implementing Organisation: LESVOS SOLIDARITY
-Partner: ‘Agalia’ Non-Profit Civil Partnership for Psychosocial Interventions
• Project Title: Invisible Violence: Domestic/Sexual Violence, Poverty and Homelessness in the Regions of Attica and the Ionian Islands
– Implementing Organisation: Equal Society
– Partner: Erifyli Center
• Project Title: Safe Voices – Prevention of Gender-Based, Domestic and Online Violence against Persons with Disabilities
– Implementing Organisation: Association of Parents of Persons with Disabilities, Prefecture of Magnesia
• Project Title: Field of Trust: A Participatory Model to Prevent and Combat Sexual Violence in Sports
– Implementing Organisation: Organization Earth
– Partner: Genderhood
• Project Title: DESMOI: A Psychosocial Empowerment Programme for Building Safe, Equal and Non-Violent Relationships in Adolescence
– Implementing Organisation: Thallo – Non-Profit Civil Company (NGO) for the Promotion of Health and Protection of the Well-being of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
• Project title: Female Survivors of Domestic Violence and Children in the Labyrinths of Justice: Secondary Victimisation Instead of Protection
– Implementing Organisation: European Anti-Violence Network
• Project title: Project Title: NO INVISIBLE 60+ WOMAN
– Implementing Organisation: PEOPLE BEHIND
– Partner: Hellenic Adult Education Association
• Project Title: ZERO TOLERANCE: Accessible Communities, Free of Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: “Ethelontoume” Association of Friends of Children, Adolescents, Adults with Disabilities and All Children
• Project Title: “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – Actions to Prevent and Combat Domestic and Sexual Violence Among Refugee Populations
– Implementing Organisation: SYN-EIRMOS NGO OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
– Partner: Velos Youth
• Project Title: O.R.I.A.: Boundaries, Roles, Equality and Safety – Art and Dialogue for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: “Helios” Cultural Association of Selianitika
• Project Title: Beyond Stereotypes – Preventing Gender-Based Violence by Empowering Girls in Early Childhood
– Implementing Organisation: EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR REGIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL AND SOCIAL POLICIES
• Project Title: Preventing Domestic and Sexual Violence against Women aged 60+ through Intergenerational Health Education and Community Empowerment
– Implementing Organisation: Association for Research and Education in Clinical Skills
• Project title: ROOTS: Fostering Healthy Forms of Masculinity through a Connection with Nature to Prevent Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Hellenic Ecopsychology Society
• Project Title: Breaking the Silence Around Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Women in Art (WinArt)
• Project Title: What Do We Bequeath? Youth, Parents and the Perpetuation of Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Home-Start Hellas – A friend for parents with young children
• Project title: FENI – Prevention of Gender-Based Violence through Support, Empowerment and Networking for Roma Women
– Implementing Organisation: SYMPLEXIS
– Partner: Union of Greek Roma Mediators and Associates
• Project title: ACTION FOR SAFE PATHWAYS – Two Doors, One Path Ahead
– Implementing Organisation: ACTIONAID HELLAS
– Partner: Action for Women
• Project title: BOUNDARIES for Safety – Experiential Training for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence and the Enhancement of Safe Community Responses
– Implementing Organisation: KOUKOUVAGIES
• Project title: BRIDGE: Bridges of Safe Response to Domestic and Sexual Violence
– Implementing Organisation: SOLIDARITY, SUPPORT, PROTECTION, EQUALITY, INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
• Project title: HER VOICE: Storytelling, Rights and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Mental Health Facilities
– Implementing Organisation: AFIGIMATA NON-PROFIT CIVIL COMPANY ADRACHTI
• Project title: REPAIR: Mapping the Pathway and Improving Institutional Response from Reporting to Protection and Justice for Female Survivors of Domestic Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Irida Women’s Centre
– Partner: Mikros Vorras
• Project Title: SAFE RESPONSES: Bridging Communities and Services to Prevent and Combat Domestic and Sexual Violence
– Implementing Organisation: P.R.A.K.S.I.S – Programs of Development, Social Support and Medical Cooperation
Preventing and Combatting Gender-Based Cyber Violence (Priority 2)
• Project Title: Safe Voices: Prevention and Addressing of Cyber Gender-Based Violence against LGBTQI+ Persons in Greece
– Implementing Organisation: LGBT CENTER GREECE, A NON-PROFIT CIVIL COMPANY
• Project Title: Digital Gender Relations and Empowerment in the University Community
– Implementing Organisation: Hellenic Association of University Women
• Project Title: HER-NET: Research and Advocacy for a Safe, Gender-Friendly Digital Environment
– Implementing Organisation: DEMOCRATIC TRUST: DEMOCRATIC COMMUNITIES AGAINST CORRUPTION AND DISCRIMINATION AMKE
• Project Title: RECLAIMING THE WEB: Community-led Feminist Responses to Gender-Based Cyber Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Os Aido
Preventing and Combatting GBV-related Harmful Practices (Priority 3)
• Project Title: Roma Women Against Gender-Based Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Roma Without Borders
• Project Title: Mothers’ Voices: From Women’s Traumatic Experiences to Respectful Maternity Care
– Implementing Organisation: ‘FAINARETI’ Civil Non-Profit Organisation
– Partner: Women’s Mental Health Association
• Project Title: ReproJustice: Advocacy for Reproductive Justice in Greece: Combatting Gynaecological and Obstetric Violence and Reclaiming the Right to Abortion
– Implementing Organisation: Hellenic League for Human Rights
Funded projects in Cyprus:
Preventing and Combatting Domestic and Sexual Violence (Priority 1)
• Project title: GsD: Generations in Dialogue
– Implementing Organisation: Youth for Exchange and Understanding
• Project title: POGYTECH: Multicultural Women: Voices Against Violence Through the Arts
– Implementing Organisation: Rooftop Theatre
• Project Title: BRIDGE: Developing Evidence-Based Expertise on Sexual Violence against Women and Girls, Focusing on Human Rights and a Gender-Based Approach
– Implementing Organisation: Cyprus Psychologists Association
• Project Title: HEAL: Healing and Empowerment Through Accessible Psychosocial Support
– Implementing Organisation: G.F.C. Generation for Change CY
Preventing and Combatting Gender-Based Cyber Violence (Priority 2)
• Project Title: Reclaim Digital Spaces: Tackling Online Gender-Based Violence Among Adolescents
– Implementing Organisation: Be an Ally Foundation
• Project title: SHE LEADS: Women Against Digital Violence
– Implementing Organisation: Cyprus Family Planning Association
Preventing and Combatting GBV-related Harmful Practices (Priority 3)
• Project Title: COMPASS: Enhancing Cyprus’s Readiness and Response to Female Genital Mutilation
– Implementing Organisation: Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies
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