Call for Proposals for Civil Society Organisations in Moldova

Request for Grant Applications

Project: Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood (BREN)

Call type: Open competition for NEW partners

Who can apply: Any registered civil-society organisation (CSO) in Moldova that has not previously received BREN financial support
Closing date: Monday, 11 August 2025, 18:00 Chișinău time 
Grant size: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
Funding model: Activity-based grants
Project length: Up to 9 months – all projects must finish by 31 May 2026
Estimated awards: Maximum 5 grants

English: Application Form | Budget Form
Romanian: Request for Grant Applications | Application Form | Budget Form
Russian: Request for Grant Applications | Application Form | Budget Form

1. Background & Purpose

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) is currently accepting applications from civil society organisations in Moldova as part of the programme Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN II).

The UK-funded Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood (BREN II) programme supports civil-society action that improves the human security of women and other marginalised groups across the countries of Eastern Neighbourhood.

For 2025 – 2027 in Moldova, every project must address at least one thematic priority below and apply gender-, conflict- and disability-sensitive methods.

Moldova Thematic Priorities

(Use these guidelines to shape project activities.)

  1. Women, Peace & Security (WPS)- Promoting gender-responsive security and justice systems, preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV), and enhancing the meaningful participation of women and young women in peacebuilding and security processes.
  2. Social Cohesion & Trust-Building – Strengthening connections among Moldova’s diverse communities (ethnic, cultural, linguistic, generational, etc.), countering hate speech, disinformation, and external threats, supporting inclusive dialogue platforms, community resilience, and fostering youth participation and youth-led initiatives for cohesion.
  3. Inclusive Practice & Intersectionality (cross-cutting) – Integrating intersectional perspectives (gender, disability, ethnicity, age, youth, migration status, etc.) into project design, implementation, and evaluation to ensure inclusive and equitable outcomes.

We particularly encourage applications from organizations operating in the Gagauzia region and the Security Zone.

2. Eligible Activities

IWPR will consider projects that concentrate on one or more of the following:

  • Production of materials – research, educational, promotional, or media outputs.
  • Advocacy – engagement with government, local authorities, or community institutions.
  • Community work – knowledge- and skill-building for vulnerable groups (women, minorities, IDPs, refugees, LGBTQI+, youth).
  • Capacity building – organisational or stakeholder training/support.
  • Networking – partnerships or coalitions that share resources and catalyse change to amplify their impact.

Strongly encouraged to apply

  • Organisations led by women and/or youth
  • CSOs led by IDPs, ethnic/religious minorities, or LGBTQI+ communities
  • Groups outside Chișinău, especially in border regions
  • Newly formed organisations

Joint applications

Partnerships are welcome, particularly those that:

  • Link capital-based and regional CSOs
  • Combine different areas of expertise
  • Pair CSOs with media organisations
  • Bring together majority- and minority-led groups
  • Involve partners from other BREN countries (contact tatianachebac@iwpr.net before 1 Aug 2025 for matchmaking support)

3. Organisational Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Respect for gender equality, diversity, conflict, and gender sensitivity
  • Ability to identify, analyse, and mitigate risks
  • Transparent project and financial management
  • Willingness to learn and share with peer grantees
  • Impartiality, with no partisan or politically focused programming
  • A clear sustainability plan for post-grant impact

Successful applicants will take part in BREN’s national/regional learning events and may undergo an organisational or resilience needs assessment.

4. Application Package

Email the following documents (email subject: BREN II-ABPG-2025-ARM-[Org Acronym]) to iwpr-en@iwpr.net:

  1. Application Form (max 10 pages)
  2. Detailed Budget (Excel)
  3. Annexes
    • Registration certificate
    • Latest financial statement (audited or unaudited)
    • Organisational chart / staffing list
    • Safeguarding policy or signed commitment

5. Evaluation & Selection

There will be a two-stage evaluation process of applications. In the first stage, applications will be shortlisted by IWPR based on the following criteria:

Assessment
Points
The proposal is clear and detailed; all required documentation is in place; and the proposed project is clearly in line with the BREN programme’s thematic priorities.
8-10 points
The proposal is mostly clear and contains sufficient information; most key documentation is in place; and the proposed project is broadly in line with the BREN programme’s thematic priorities.
5-7 points
The proposal is unclear, or documentation is missing, or the thematic focus does not align with the BREN programme’s thematic priorities.
1-4 points


IWPR may request clarifications from the organisations in the shortlisting stage.

Proposals with a score of at least 5 points will be submitted to the selection panel for full review. 

Final Selection

The selection panel, which consists of representatives from IWPR and the UK Embassy in Moldova], will assess proposals based on the set criteria as described in the below table. Applicants with the highest scores will be selected for funding. Funding will be contingent on vetting processes. 

Nr.
Criteria
Maximum points
1.    
Adequate response to the call objectives
The project design responds to the objectives outlined in this call and proposes adequate solutions to the relevant challenges in Moldova. It builds on already existing activities and adds value.
 30
2.    
Technical approach
Proposed project design presents a clear situation analysis, and identifies objectives, outputs, and activities of the project, which are coherent to one another. The project can be implemented with moderate risks.
 30
3.    
Organisational resilience
The project demonstrates that implementing the project is in the organisation’s interests and will help the organisation become more resilient.
 20
4.
Cost evaluation
The project budget is clear and corresponds to the technical approach. The included costs are reasonable and necessary to achieve the project objectives.
 20
Maximum total technical scoring:
100


6. Application Process & Timeline

Interested organisations should complete and submit application and budget forms to iwpr-en@iwpr.net.

Applications may be submitted in English, Romanian, or Russian (English preferred; language choice does not affect award decisions).

We encourage narrative and financial proposals to be written and prepared by organisational staff. Where AI is used, we request this is kept to a minimum and used in an ethical and responsible manner.

IWPR reserves the right to award fewer or more awards, depending on the quality of applications received, and the context at the time of selection.

Questions? Contact our Moldova Country Coordinator at tatianachebac@iwpr.net. Replies will be provided until 1 August 2025.

An information session about this grant call will take place on 4 August 2025, 12:00, you can register through  this link.

7. About IWPR & BREN II

IWPR is an international non-profit that builds peace and democracy through free media and empowered civil society.

The Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood II (BREN-II) project is implemented by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals that advance peace, security, and inclusion in Moldova.

Moldova

Only those who have been selected for interviews will be contacted. IWPR will never ask for payment for recruitment.

IWPR is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color/colour, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy, maternity, sexual orientation, and gender assignment and identity), national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, marital or civil partnership status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Moldova
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