Engaging Central Europe (ECE) Program Grants is a grant from the German Marshall Fund of the United States that empowers civil society organizations to protect, revitalize, and strengthen democracy across Central Europe. Funding of $5,000 to $25,000 supports initiatives in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia that are committed to democratic values, civic resilience, and EU integration.

The program addresses threats to democratic governance, including anti-EU political drift and challenges to sovereignty, by backing local organizations with the resources to engage citizens, counter disinformation, and build democratic institutions at the grassroots level.

Engaging Central Europe | German Marshall Fund of the United States Strategic Democracy Initiatives Innovation and Competitiveness Strategic Competitiveness Allied Strategic Competitiveness Global Implications of China's Rise Engaging Central Europe empowers civil society to protect, revitalize, and renew democracy in the heart of Europe. Photo Credit: ZGPhotography / Shutterstock.

com Moldova’s Window of Opportunity for Rapid EU Membership Laurențiu Pleșca , Dimitar Keranov Checking Georgia’s Anti-EU Drift How To Help Belarus Preserve Its Sovereignty and Democratic Resilience Prompted by the growing regional challenges to democracy, GMF has renewed its direct support for civil society in Central Europe, the cradle of its democracy assistance work during the 1990s and early 2000s.

It does so through a mix of grantmaking, capacity-building, and leadership development. The Engaging Central Europe initiative supports democratic resilience and revival, media pluralism, electoral integrity, rule of law, civic education, citizen participation, and regional cooperation in the easternmost member states of the European Union and NATO.

Operating with a small, dedicated team from across Central Europe and managed out of the GMF's Berlin office, this initiative fosters cooperation, exchange, and policy learning among actors committed to democratic values and European and transatlantic cooperation.

Jointly with partners from both sides of the Atlantic, Engaging Central Europe provides flexible support to civil society organizations, initiatives, and individuals that make a vital contribution to protecting and enhancing democracy in individual countries and across the region of Central Europe.

The initiative is built on the understanding that democracy and security in Central Europe are closely intertwined: only a democratic Central Europe will be a secure Central Europe.

The work of GMF’s Engaging Central Europe (ECE) initiative is rooted in the belief that a strong and vibrant civil society is an essential prerequisite for pluralist liberal democracy, the rule of law, and the enjoyment of fundamental rights—three key values of the European Union and the Transatlantic community.

ECE provides grantmaking and capacity-building support to civil society organizations (CSOs) and initiatives in the eight Central European countries of Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

In its efforts to provide effective assistance to civil society and to strengthen democratic values in Central European societies, ECE prioritizes: strengthening CSOs’ management and advocacy skills, constituency building, and financial sustainability expanding civic activism and free media in peripheral and rural areas bolstering democratic participation, education, and deliberation, especially among young people, women, and vulnerable groups enhancing the resilience of civil society in shrinking spaces protecting fundamental rights, the rule of law, and electoral integrity fostering anti-corruption and transparency initiatives broadening regional networking among civil society in Central Europe and beyond improving analytical, policy, and advocacy work on civil society and democracy in Central Europe Engaging Central Europe Factsheet Calls for Proposals of our EU CERV co-financed PROTEUS project providing civil society support in Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Successful project proposals – PROTEUS (EU CERV/Transatlantic Foundation) Central and Eastern Europe Holding a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would be a charade Central and Eastern Europe Central and Eastern Europe Bulgaria’s Ties to Moldova’s Ethnic Minorities: A Channel for Pro-EU Engagement Russia exploits its linguistic and cultural ties to Moldova’s ethnic minorities as part of its malign influence campaign.

This policy brief highlights... Anti-Foreign NGO Laws: A Tool to Repress Civil Society Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe Regional Director Daniel Hegedüs appeared before the US House of Representatives’ Tom Lantos Human Rights...

Like It or Not, Democratic Societies Need Clearly Defined Adversaries Global Implications of China's Rise China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints Central and Eastern Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction: Shared Opportunities, Benefits, and Challenges How To Help Georgia Out of Its Growing Democracy Crisis Bulgaria’s Corruption Problem Is Washington’s Too Authoritarian Innovation Inside the EU Democracy Captured: Bulgaria’s Peevski Predicament Central and Eastern Europe Safeguarding Hungary’s 2026 Elections: Robust Observation Is Essential Hungary’s Power Play in North Macedonia Another Pro-Russia Presidential Choice in Croatia?

The reelection of Zoran Milanović would continue a concerning trend of voters in Central and Eastern Europe backing pro-Russia leaders.... The Marginalization of Roma Refugees From Ukraine: Experiences from Hungary and Poland The war in Ukraine has displaced millions, triggering an unprecedented humanitarian response across Europe.... Bulgaria’s Quest for a Stable Government Goes On Bulgarians have voted again for a new parliament.

However, forming a new government seems like “Mission Impossible”, considering the positions of the... Orbán Meddles in Georgia's Politics Central and Eastern Europe Czechia Can Live With Harris Continuity or “Trump Therapy” A strong believer in allying with the United States and in multilateralism, Czechia will be keen to work with whoever is in the White House. ...

Will Orbán’s Trump Bet Pay Off? Hungary’s government clearly wants the former US president to return to the White House and has been cultivating him and his wing of the Republican... Central and Eastern Europe Slovakia’s Security-First Approach to the US Election Bordering Ukraine and subject to Russian interference, Slovakia will prioritize its security relations with Washington regardless of who is elected on...

Central and Eastern Europe The US Election and Bulgaria Intensifying the partnership between Sofia and Washington is the only way to prevent democratic backsliding and greater Russian influence in Bulgaria.... Fundamental Choices at the Polls for Georgia and the United States Within a few days, Georgian and US citizens will cast their ballots in elections that will have momentous consequences for their respective countries...

Central and Eastern Europe A “Foreign Agents” Law Is the Next Goal for Bulgaria’s Revival Party The recent adoption of an anti-LGBTQ+ amendment to the education law in Bulgaria was a prelude to what the pro-Russia Revival party wants to push for... The End of Russia’s “Unipolar Moment” in the South Caucasus The war in Ukraine has exposed Russia’s weaknesses and ended its “unipolar moment” in the South Caucasus.

This has affected the calculations of the... Orbán De-Escalates—But He Will Strike Again Prime Minister Viktor Orbán de-escalates after harsh reactions from the EU regarding his provocative foreign trips.... Central and Eastern Europe Member States Can End Orbán’s Strategy of Ridiculing the EU—If They Want To In recent days, Viktor Orbán has trolled the rest of the EU with his diplomatic moves.

To limit the damage he can do, it is necessary and possible to... Central and Eastern Europe The Kremlin Exploits Orbán’s Visit The Hungarian prime minister’s trip to Moscow could not have been of greater importance to the Russian regime. Its propaganda machine quickly got into...

Hungary assumed just days ago the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. ... Central and Eastern Europe Rethinking Industrial Policy for Central and Eastern Europe Restoring the Rule of Law in Poland: An Assessment of the New Government’s Progress Poland’s new government since December 2023 has made progress in restoring the rule of law—but the process is slow....

Democratic Decline and a New Political Crisis in Bulgaria Dimitar Keranov looks at Bulgaria, where the European Parliament vote played second fiddle to yet another inconclusive national election.... Polish PM Donald Tusk Emboldened by European Election Victory Anna Wójcik looks at Poland, where the once all-powerful Law and Justice party lost its first election in a decade....

In Czechia, Combustion Engines and Migration in the Spotlight Jana Juzová looks at Czechia, where populists were the clear winners.... In Hungary, a Party Political Reshuffle but Orbán’s Regime Remains Stable Daniel Hegedüs looks at Hungary, where a reshuffle of the party landscape poses no threat to the stability of Viktor Orbán’s regime.... Will the Center Hold?

The EU Swings Right The new European Parliament is set to shift to the right, yet a mainstream coalition may still secure a second term for European Commission President... No Tidal Wave but Creeping Influence: The Far Right in the European Parliamentary Elections Even if it is not about to dominate the European Parliament, the far right’s growing influence is not to be taken lightly. Its normalization,...

Cutting Across the Center, Cooperation With the Radical Right Becomes the Main Cleavage in EU Politics The rightward shift in EU politics will not come from a breakthrough in the European Parliament elections by the radical right, but from parties in...

The Hungarian EU presidency and Georgia's election — don't say you weren't warned What's at Stake in the EU Elections: Democracy and the Rule of Law Given the likely strengthening of the radical right in the European Parliament elections and the fact that three governments with domestic illiberal...

The Bulgarian Factor in North Macedonia’s Elections and EU Prospects The May 8 elections will be crucial for North Macedonia’s EU membership negotiations, with the campaign dominated by complicated relations with...

Central and Eastern Europe Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Domestic Politics and Society The Enduring Obstacles to Full LGBTQ+ Rights in Bulgaria There is a long way to go to until LGBTQ+ people in the EU member state are fully protected in law and government policy from discrimination and...

Central and Eastern Europe Croatia Approaches Potentially Turbulent Elections The long-governing Croatian Democratic Union and the opposition president are heading for a clash in early parliamentary elections, whose outcome... Bulgaria Needs a Stronger Voice in Black Sea Security As a NATO and EU member, Bulgaria has the potential to play an important role in Black Sea security, but the country’s complex relationship with...

Central and Eastern Europe "Orbán encroaches on the sovereignty of EU countries" - this is the situation in Switzerland Central and Eastern Europe How Article 7 could actually defeat Orbán already Central and Eastern Europe A Stress Test for Bulgaria’s Governing Coalition Squabbles in the run-up to municipal elections could escalate into a full-blown crisis and yet another parliamentary election. ...

Central and Eastern Europe Poland’s election results may have grave implications for Hungary’s autocratic prime minister, Viktor Orbán.... How the Integrity of Poland’s Elections Is Undermined Elections in Poland are skewed by biased electoral laws, abuse of state resources by the governing party, and undermined media freedom and judiciary... Poland’s Elections: New Politics, Old Economics?

No matter who leads the next government, the legacy of “PiSonomics” will endure. ... Central and Eastern Europe Eastern Europe Joins the Western Balkans: A New Start for the EU’s Enlargement Policy?

Central and Eastern Europe Countering SLAPPs in Hungary, Poland, and the Rest of the EU Building Up the Democratic Potential of the New Russian Emigrants Estimates for the number of Russians who have left Russia since its full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 range between several hundred thousand...

How the EU Can Defend Media Freedom and Pluralism in Hungary and Poland Trade, Economics, and Business How Its War on Ukraine Killed Russia’s Hydrogen Ambitions Central and Eastern Europe Toward a New Youth Brain-drain Paradigm in the Western Balkans Central and Eastern Europe Breaking Barriers to Women’s Participation in Politics in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine Central and Eastern Europe Domestic Politics and Society Designing Sanctions: Lessons from EU Restrictive Measures against Belarus Central and Eastern Europe The Implications of Hungary’s Elections for Its Euro-Atlantic Partners The Role of Cyber “Elves” Against Russian Information Operations Central and Eastern Europe What's Next for U.S. Democracy Support in Central and Eastern Europe?

Central and Eastern Europe Authoritarian Interference Central Europe’s Democrats Need to Learn from Each Other, Just Like Authoritarians Do This year appears to have been a rather good one for democracy in Central Europe....

Not Just a Summit: Building the Democracy Support Engine Room Improving EU-U.S. Cooperation in Civil Society Support in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans The European Union and the United States devote considerable funds and programs to supporting civil society in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans ... What Role for EU Institutions in Confronting Europe's Democracy and Rule of Law Crisis?

Enhancing Climate Protection and Civic Engagement in Lower Silesia Strengthening Civic Participation and CSO Capacity in Slovenia Fostering Democratic Competencies and Community Engagement Among Czech Youth Fostering Women’s Civic Participation in Rural Bulgaria Resilience in Croatia: Navigating Uncertainty Through Strength and Collaboration Strengthening Civic Participation in Slovenia A Model for Policy Advocacy and Public Mobilization in Environmental Governance Rewiring Civil Society: Building Resilience Through a Hope-Based Mindset-Shift More Transparency in Bulgaria: AIP’s Freedom of Information Successes Empowering Women in Bulgaria's Political Landscape The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Fights Evictions Through Strategic Litigation Exposing Corruption in Rural Bulgaria: Pro Veritas Brings Transparency to “Information Deserts” Watchdog School: Empowering Local Activists for Transparency in Poland Rainbow Friday: Strengthening LGBTQ+ Youth Solidarity in Poland Empowering Change: Building Bulgaria’s LGBTQ+ Leadership Network Strengthening Civic Activism in Rural Hungary Enhancing Cybersecurity Resilience in Bulgaria’s CSOs GrowSPACE and the Transatlantic Foundation Boost Youth Activism in Poland Europe on Edge?

Building Strategic Communication on the EU in Poland Cybersecurity for Romanian CSOs: From “Boring” to “We’d Better” Sister Outsider: Reflections of a Croatian Human Rights Activist Discussing Global Politics in Czechia’s Local Communities Managing Director, Transatlantic Trusts Regional Director, Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe Program Officer, Transatlantic Trusts Senior Visiting Fellow, Transatlantic Trusts Senior Program Coordinator, Engaging Central Europe Program Coordinator, Engaging Central Europe Program Officer, Transatlantic Trusts Program Assistant, Engaging Central Europe