Deadline: 8 March 2016
MitOst in cooperation with Liquid Democracy are seeking applications for Advocate Europe which is an annual idea challenge for European initiatives and projects funded by Stiftung Mercator. Advocate Europe is looking for unconventional and transnational project proposals which strengthen connection and cohesion in Europe.
Advocate Europe is aimed at civil society actors who are looking for start-up funding and support to implement sustainable ideas in the fields of civic education, arts and culture, democracy and participation, social innovation or advocacy.
Advocate Europe encourages applicants to submit their ideas for a Europe that is co-created by its citizens – one that that is based on open-mindedness and tolerance, that offers justice and equal opportunities, that protects individual rights, that guarantees democracy and the rule of law, and that ensures freedom.
Funding Information
Advocate Europe will fund up to 12 pioneering proposals with grants of up to €50,000 each.
Community Awards: Very special is the Community Award, whose winners are solely determined by public voting until 15 March 2016.The three ideas with the most user votes receive Community Awards.
- First Prize: €5,000
- Second Prize: €3,000
- Third Prize: €2,000
Selection Criteria
- Strengthen connection and cohesion in Europe: Proposals are accepted that support the exchange of people and ideas, and promote international and intercultural understanding. The goal is to identify critical topics for the further development of a unified Europe and to bring together key groups such as multipliers, stakeholders, activists, administrators, young Europeans and change-makers.
- Are Surprising and unconventional: Supports original approaches and courageous ideas that are oriented towards the current and future needs of Europe’s civil society and citizens. Also looking for ideas that help to design the future, not just manage the status quo.
- Are based on everyday life: Looking for project ideas that have practical relevance and a clear relationship to the everyday life of people in Europe.
- Are based on unusual partnerships: Team up with a friend, neighbor or colleague who works on the same topic, but in completely different field. Connect things that don’t seem to belong together at first glance. Advocate Europe is particularly interested in ideas and partnerships from organisations and initiatives that are made up of two or more actors outside of typical constellations.
Eligible Countries: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Vatican City.
Eligibility Criteria
Non-profit organisations and initiatives from across Europe are eligible to apply for and receive funding.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can register themselves through the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit Advocate Europe.