Civil society in the Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, as well as Croatia- is increasingly operating under pressure, threats, and attacks aimed at weakening or stopping its engagement. In this context, the 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 comes as a new mechanism that provides rapid, emergency, and proportionate support to civil society in the region.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲?

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Unregistered initiatives
• Activists

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭?

The Civic Emergency Fund is a regional rapid-response mechanism that supports civil society organizations and activists when they face pressure or serious risks that threaten their safety, the work they do, or their ability to act in the public interest.

The Fund provides support for emergency situations and is 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.

These situations may include, but are not limited to:
a. Direct threats;
b. Legal or administrative attacks (e.g., strategic lawsuits against public participation-SLAPPs, punitive audits);
c. Threats to digital or physical security;
d. Raids, arrests, or detentions;
e. Seizure of equipment;
f. Defamation campaigns or attacks aimed at disinformation;
g. Restrictions on the right to organize, assemble, or express oneself.

Applications to the Civic Emergency Fund are submitted online through a secure and protected system that guarantees confidentiality and the protection of applicants’ data at: civicemergencyfund.com

This Fund is a joint initiative of the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) and the Trag Foundation, bringing together their experience to support civil society in moments of risk and pressure.

The Civic Emergency Fund is supported by a group of philanthropic foundations committed to strengthening civic resilience and protecting civic space in the region. Initial contributors include PeaceNexus Foundation and Rockefeller Brothers Fund.