SAFE Democracy provides financial support to Transparency International national chapters to implement initiatives that strengthen democratic resilience and citizen engagement across the European Union.
The mechanism is implemented under the SAFE Democracy Operating Grant, funded by the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. It enables targeted national actions that contribute to strengthening political integrity, accountability, and participation in public decision-making.
Key features
- Supports locally tailored initiatives responding to national risks and priorities
- Combines financial support with technical assistance and capacity building
- Enables coordinated action across countries, contributing to shared EU-level objectives
Who can apply
The sub-granting mechanism is open to Transparency International national chapters in participating EU Member States, as well as Transparency International EU.
What is supported
Sub-grants support national initiatives that address key risks to democratic systems, including:
- Development and strengthening of civic monitoring tools, such as Integrity Watch platforms
- Use of data on political finance, lobbying, and conflicts of interest for advocacy and public scrutiny
- Citizen engagement activities, including national dialogues, trainings, and awareness-raising initiatives
- Research and policy work to address gaps in political integrity frameworks
- Actions to strengthen civic space and respond to democratic backsliding
How it works
Sub-grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. Applications are assessed based on their relevance to the project’s objectives, feasibility, and expected impact.
A limited number of grants are awarded in each call cycle, ensuring focused and high-impact interventions across participating countries.
Selected initiatives are implemented with support from the Transparency International Secretariat, including coordination, technical guidance, and capacity building.
First call for proposals (2026)
In January 2026, the Transparency International Secretariat launched the first call for proposals under the SAFE Democracy sub-granting mechanism, inviting national chapters across 20 EU Member States and Transparency International EU to apply.
The call invited proposals across four priority areas:
- Countering undue influence and strengthening participation
- Strengthening political integrity frameworks
- Protecting and expanding civic space
- Supporting EU-level coordination and advocacy
A total of 16 proposals were received. Following a structured evaluation process involving technical, programmatic, and financial assessment, 8 sub-grants were awarded to support national initiatives across the network.
The total funding envelope for this call was €190,000, with individual grants ranging from €16,000 to €56,000 depending on the scope of activities.
