The programme ‘Building a robust and democratic civic space’ (BUILD) aimed to protect, promote and raise awareness of EU fundamental rights & values by supporting civil society organisations (CSOs) in Greece & Cyprus and by increasing their capacity and sustainability. BUILD was co-funded by the European Union (90% of the grant), through the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values (CERV*) programme, and by the Bodossaki Foundation and NGO Support Centre (10% of the grant), with a total grant amounting to €2.9 million.
In three years, from December 2022 to November 2025, BUILD launched two open calls for funding, making €2.3 million in grants available to civil society, with the aim of funding approximately 40 projects in Greece and 10 in Cyprus. The calls sought to provide financial support for organisations involved in activities promoting awareness-raising around such themes as EU rights & values, civic participation, advocacy, rule of law, support to vulnerable groups and the exchange of know-how between CSOs across Europe. The main beneficiaries of the programme were CSOs, but its activities also involved policymakers, media, civil servants, teachers and vulnerable groups, as well as the general public.
BUILD also provided an integrated capacity building programme, tailored to the needs of CSOs in Greece and Cyprus, in order to support their organisational development and sustainability. This is part of the overall aim of helping to build a robust and democratic civic space in Europe. BUILD is coordinated by the Bodossaki Foundation (Greece) in partnership with the NGO Support Centre (Cyprus).
The launch event for the programme in Greece took place on May 4th and you can watch it here.
*The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme was launched in 2021 as part of the EU’s Justice, Rights and Values Fund, for the period 2021-2027. Read more about the CERV programme.
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.
Complaints Email: cerv-complaints@bodossaki.gr