Invitation to youth-oriented CSOs:
Grant Component 1: To provide comprehensive support to informal groups of high-schoolers in Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, and Preševo for the implementation of mini youth projects for a maximum duration of 3 months (April-June 2025)
Grant Component 2: To create and implement projects which contribute to social cohesion in Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, and Preševo, with a focus on youth from different ethnic backgrounds (April-October 2025)
Spark: Skilled Youth Empowered Communities, Serbia, is a project funded by the UK government and implemented by the British Council.
In collaboration with the British Embassy Belgrade, the British Council is launching a Call for grant applications to youth-oriented CSOs under the Spark Serbia project which focuses on empowering young people to actively participate in addressing challenges within their local communities through multicultural and inclusive youth initiatives. The project combines advisory support and financial assistance to strengthen youth engagement and stronger social cohesion in local communities.
Who can apply?
- A registered citizens’ association that has been active for more than 2 years, has an average annual income of more than 1.5 million dinars in the last three years and has experience in implementing grant projects with focus on youth.
- CSO must be registered in Serbia with a proven track record in implementation of donor funded projects, and preferably coming from the project’s locations: Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, Preševo or their surroundings. Note this is not a restricted call on any criteria.
- Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement activities effectively within the set timeline.
- Applicants can apply for both grant components but can be awarded only for one.
- The successful applicant should be able to open a separate bank account or sub-account for the administration of the grant scheme under this Call.
- This grant scheme is not open to individuals, state institutions, government bodies, political and religious organizations, or representatives of the private / for-profit sector.
What do we support?
Component 1 – Support to informal youth groups in implementation of mini projects
- We are looking for minimum 2 or maximum 3 civil society organisations which will provide support with management and promotion, and financial and other administration necessary for implementation of mini youth projects prepared by informal groups of high-schoolers aged 14-18 in the project’s locations: Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, and Preševo.
- Duration of Grant Scheme Component 1 is three months (April-June 2025)
Component 2 – Strengthening social cohesion among youth of different ethnic backgrounds in Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, and Preševo
- We are looking to support minimum 2 or maximum 4 innovative youth-focused initiatives that inspire positive change in Novi Pazar, Bujanovac, and Preševo communities, over a period of six months from April until September 2025 with an additional month for project closure.
- Duration of Grant Scheme Component 2 is seven months (April – October 2025)
To apply:
- Please read carefully the Call for applications
- To apply it is mandatory to use official forms – please download the forms from the download section below
- Please submit your application accompanied with all required documents by e-mail to Mina Kokot at mina.kokot@britishcouncil.org on Monday, 3 March 2025 until 23.59
Subject of the email should state: Application for Grant Component 1 or 2 (depending for which you apply)
- Clarification meetings: Only shortlisted organisations will be invited to clarification meetings on Friday 7 March and Monday 10 March.
- Notifications and starting date: The shortlisted applicants will be notified of the results by official e-mail. Notification of the results will be posted on the official website of the British Council. Successful applicants are expected to start working on 24 March at the earliest but no later than 1 April 2025.