The aim of the VERTA! Programme is to strengthen the capacities and resilience of regional NGOs and national-level NGOs engaged in advocacy, enabling them to safeguard and promote European Union values, including democracy and human rights, increase civic participation, contribute to democratic governance, and strengthen advocacy capacities at all levels.

Following the evaluation of applications by experts, funding has been awarded to 20 non-governmental organisations. Through their projects, the organisations will seek to promote and safeguard EU values, strengthen civic participation, and advocate more effectively for changes in public decision-making at both local and national levels.

The projects will be implemented between 1 September 2026 and 30 September 2027. Individual projects will run for 10–12 months.

Projects Selected for Funding

The applications will now be revised in line with the experts’ comments, followed by the finalisation of funding agreements.

Reserve List

If a funding agreement is not concluded with any organisation on the list of projects selected for funding, organisations on the reserve list will be invited to conclude an agreement in the order in which they are listed.

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“This initiative by the Open Lithuania Foundation took shape as an effort to preserve and continue the legacy of Professor Irena Veisaitė – one of the founders of the Foundation. She devoted particular attention to building an open society and strengthening a free Lithuania through books, education, culture, and scholarship. Each year, outstanding thinkers from around the world will be invited to deliver a lecture that reflects the values she championed and encourages discussion on liberal democracy and the principles of an open society,” said Sandra Adomavičiūtė, Director of the Open Lithuania Foundation.

At the inaugural lecture, the audience will be welcomed by the Ambassador of Canada to Lithuania, Janet Sautner, and the Rector of Vilnius University, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas. Following Prof. Michael Ignatieff’s lecture, entitled “Embattled Freedom: Reinventing the Liberal Ideal for the 21st Century,” a discussion moderated by Veisaitė’s grandson Michael Slavinsky will take place.

The visual identity of the memorial lecture series was created by another grandson of Irena Veisaitė, Daniel Slavinsky. The lectures are planned to be held annually, symbolically marking Veisaitė’s birthday on 9 January.

Irena Veisaitė was one of the most influential intellectual figures of modern Lithuania. She combined academic work with civic responsibility, contributing to the moral foundations that supported Lithuania’s democratic transformation. Colleagues and friends often referred to her as a spiritus movens – the driving force behind the creation of an open society in Lithuania in the 1990s and beyond.

Veisaitė was a beacon of tolerance and dialogue. She believed in steady work and patience, in forgiveness and rebuilding. She viewed honest engagement and reconciliation with the Holocaust and Soviet repression as essential preconditions for freedom. Her work and legacy transcended national borders, and her contributions were recognized both in Lithuania and abroad.

This year, on 16 January at 3:00 p.m., the inaugural lecture by Prof. Michael Ignatieff will take place at the Aula Parva of Vilnius University (Universiteto St. 3). The event is organized by the Open Lithuania Foundation in partnership with Vilnius University, the Embassy of Canada to Lithuania, and Irena Veisaitė’s family and colleagues.

About the Speaker

Michael Ignatieff is one of the world’s leading liberal thinkers – a historian, essayist, and public intellectual who has spent decades examining how people search for dignity and decency in turbulent times. As President and Rector of the Central European University (CEU) from 2016 to 2021, he guided the university through a landmark battle for academic freedom after Hungary’s government sought to curb its independence. His leadership turned CEU into a global symbol of civic courage and the defense of truth – values central to both the Open Society Foundations and Veisaitė’s vision of a humane and open Lithuania.

A former Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Member of Parliament, Ignatieff has taught at Harvard, Cambridge, Toronto, and CEU Vienna. Like Irena Veisaitė – who inspired generations of Lithuanian students even under Soviet censorship – he views teaching as a moral act: a way to awaken critical thought and civic responsibility. For both, the classroom has always been a space of quiet resistance and hope.

A recipient of the Dan David Prize for his defense of democracy and human rights, Ignatieff continues to speak and write on how liberal societies can withstand growing political and cultural authoritarianism. His Vilnius lecture will explore how new authoritarian currents in Europe and North America challenge the moral foundations of democracy – reshaping truth, culture, and civic trust – and what virtues citizens and institutions must rediscover to keep societies open and humane.

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Together with our partners Panevėžys Rain Children and the Institute for Public and Business Development, we shared how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in Lithuania — bringing people together, encouraging active participation in community life, and strengthening civic engagement. We also highlighted the importance of supporting NGOs — helping them learn, grow, and build the skills they need to carry out this crucial mission.

We are grateful to the European Commission Representation in Lithuania for the opportunity to meet and share our stories. Our sincere thanks also go to the European Commission’s CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), which helps us empower small organizations in the regions so they can gradually become local “centers of democracy” — close to the people they serve.

Photos courtesy of the European Commission.

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This call is open to NGO consortium, with each consortium comprising at least one organization with experience in human rights advocacy, and two smaller regional NGOs.

The call is part of the “Grassroots” program. It aims to fund at least 18 projects, with a total budget of €1.08 million. Applications are open until October 5. The call is being launched simultaneously in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

The “Grassroots” program is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Open Lithuania Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Equality Advancement (Lithuania), the Marta Centre (Latvia), and the Women’s Support and Information Centre (Estonia).

Application links:

• For organizations based in Lithuania: https://gap.lt/veikiam/

• For organizations based in Latvia: https://www.marta.lv/veicam 

• For organizations based in Estonia: https://naistetugi.ee/projekt/grassroots/

“Civil society plays a vital role in responding to gender-based violence. NGOs are closer to marginalized groups, who often face higher risks of GBV. It is crucial that NGOs take practical steps to shift perceptions of GBV and strengthen its prevention. That is why this call supports practical organizational initiatives focused on advocacy, education, and awareness-raising,” says Marta Gadeikienė, the program’s lead.

Applicants and partner organizations must uphold core EU values—respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, and equality (including gender equality), the rule of law, human rights, and the rights of minorities (based on race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.). Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated. Applications may be rejected—or funding withdrawn—if it is found that the applicant or its partners do not comply with these principles.

We invite organizations to apply and take action!

More information about the program: www.olf.lt/veikiam

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Project „GrassRoots” (no. 101140032) is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed on this webpage are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The project is co-funded by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania: International Donor Funded Non-Governmental Organisations Project Co-financing Call 2024.

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The NGO Leaders Academy is the only long-term program in Lithuania that strengthens the capacities of NGO teams and helps them achieve long-term goals. This long-term training, focused on practical skills, helps find solutions to specific organizational challenges. The program covers all important areas of the organization – from strategic planning to financial sustainability and community building. The value of training for one organization is more than 4000 euros.

At the launch event, together with lecturer Paulius Godvadas, the organizations delved deeper into the theme of European Union values. Lecturers Lineta Ramonienė and Linas Vaitkevičius introduced the organizations to the field of strategic planning.

#supportedbyOLF #fundedbyCERV

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Živilė Kubilienė, Capacity Building Program Manager, notes that the NGO Leaders Academy not only helps organizations achieve significant change in their activities, but also help organizations to grow the non-profit sector in their region.

The selected participants:

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About the EEA and Norway Grants

The EEA and Norway Grants are designed to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and to enhance cooperation between the donor and beneficiary states. The funding period, governed by the 2021-2028 Financial Mechanism agreement with the EU, allocates €3.268 billion to promote three key thematic priorities: European green transition, democracy, rule of law and human rights, and social inclusion and resilience.

To support these priorities, 15 programme areas and three dedicated funds have been established.

These programme areas and funds aim to address common European challenges, foster innovation, and support impactful projects. Notably, this funding period includes a €183 million contribution for projects addressing challenges arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Furthermore, the EEA and Norway Grants provide a unique opportunity for partnerships between entities from the Beneficiary States and their counterparts in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway addressing common European challenges. They enhance international experience and networks, support access to new knowledge, expertise, and facilities, foster innovation, and create forums for developing cooperation to be supported with other funding sources.

Download the draft Blue Book here. 

Why your input matters

The draft ‘Blue Book’ outlines the objectives and approaches for each programme area and fund, specifying the areas eligible for support. We believe that those likely to benefit from the Grants, those that are likely to manage the funding and other stakeholders could have valuable input to the ‘Blue Book’. This consultation therefore offers an opportunity for stakeholders to take account of the current draft of the ‘Blue Book’ and provide input on elements prior to its final publication.

By participating in this consultation, you can help shape the direction of the EEA and Norway Grants, ensuring they effectively address the most pressing challenges and opportunities across Europe.

The Blue Book draft can be found on page 4 of the survey. Please click on the button below to access the survey. 

How to participate

A participant can be any private person or organisation that have experience with or interest in the EEA and Norway Grants and their objectives. Participants can be situated in beneficiary, donor or third countries, or they can work transnationally across borders.

The consultation process is straightforward and open to all interested parties until October 18, 2024.

Here’s how you can contribute:

1. Visit the consultation page: Access the draft ‘Blue Book’ and review the programme areas and funds.
2. Provide your feedback: Answer questions about your organisation and submit your comments on the programme areas and funds. You will also have the option to provide general comments. Be advised that we are expecting each organisation to provide one common feedback
3. Spread the word: Share the consultation link with other stakeholders who might have valuable insights.

Important information

• Only comments in English will be considered.
• A list of participating organisations and a summary of the consultation results will be published.

Your feedback could directly influence the final version of the ‘Blue Book’, helping to ensure the EEA and Norway Grants deliver impactful and effective funding programmes.

For questions and comments regarding the consultation, please contact bluebookconsultation@efta.int  

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“Working with organisations from all over Lithuania, we notice that discussions on human rights issues decrease the further away you get from Vilnius. In the regions of Lithuania there are community-based organisations, organisations that provide a range of services to people with disabilities, illnesses and poverty. At the same time, advocacy organisations that work on human rights or the rights of vulnerable people are concentrated in Vilnius. We see the sense of different organisations meeting, getting to know each other and starting to communicate more closely,” – believes Jurgita Poškevičiūtė, Programme Manager of the Active Citizens Foundation.

During the event, we recalled the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its provisions. We examined and discussed which of these fundamental human rights are most important to us personally. This was followed by a human rights discussion with political scientist and journalist Paulius Gritėnas, Monika Guliakaite-Danisevičienė, lawyer at the Lithuanian Human Rights Centre, and Justinas Žilinskas, writer, lawyer and member of the Open Society Foundations Council.

The event is financed by the Active Citizens Foundation. This fund is part of the EEA and Norway Grants. 9 million euros have been allocated for 2019-2024 to strengthen civil society in Lithuania and empower vulnerable groups. In Lithuania, the Active Citizens Fund is managed by the Open Society Foundations and OSFL Projects.

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After completing the training program in March 2024, the organizations will develop their on-ground projects and could get funding. Živilė Kubilienė, the leader of the program VERTA! hopes that this will enable organizations to expand their activities, reach quality change and dare to strive for more.

“Statistics show that organizations that complete this training experience significant growth – they manage to attract more sponsorships, prepare quality projects, and expand their activities. We hope that strengthened organizations will also contribute to the growth of the entire non-governmental sector in their region,” says Ž.Kubilienė.

We will get in touch with the selected participants shortly. Here is the list of selected organizations.

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Over 40 participants from various organizations interacted, discussed the dangers of burnout and how to manage them, presented their projects, or celebrated the achievements of others.

“We create an informal environment where you can meet people, engage in conversations, build relationships, and it always brings some kind of benefit. Whether it’s a joint project, a shared initiative, or simply friendship. Personally, I strongly believe in the power of such informal interaction,” says Sandra Adomavičiūtė, the leader of Open Lithuania Foundation.

Similar thoughts were expressed by representatives of non-governmental organizations who attended.

“First and foremost, it’s beneficial to look at yourself, certain processes from a distance, and evaluate them. It’s also an environment where you are forced to put your mobile phone aside and temporarily detach from all the affairs,” asserts Andrej Rudanov, representative of the Institute of Life Sciences and Educology.

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