SUPPORT TO ARMENIA-TÜRKİYE NORMALIZATION: ENHANCING CROSS-BORDER LINKAGES
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Call for Applications
Summary
We invite Armenia- and Türkiye-based non-governmental organisations and businesses to submit action-oriented project proposals that contribute to real, measurable progress in Armenia-Türkiye normalisation. This initiative is funded by the European Union.
Your project must contribute to at least one of these Outcomes (OC):
- OC1: Stronger economic cooperation – New trade routes, aligned business regulations, or shared market access that create jobs and growth on both sides.
- OC2: Expanded collaboration – Joint ventures, professional networks, or civil society alliances that keep working long after the project ends.
- OC3: Deeper people-to-people ties – Community projects, cultural exchanges, or grassroots initiatives that build trust and understanding at the local level.
- OC4: Better-informed leaders and media – Advocacy campaigns or media collaborations that shift public narratives toward cooperation.
We prioritise projects that produce concrete, visible results, whether that is:
- New business partnerships
- Restored cultural sites
- Thriving cross-border networks
- Community-driven initiatives that people can see, experience, and benefit from directly.
If your idea turns cooperation into real action with lasting impact, we want to support it.
To spark your creativity, here are some practical examples of what we are looking for. (NOTE: these examples are illustrative and non-binding: we welcome all creative ideas that align with the Programme’s outcomes and objectives (see below)):
- Support cross-border business activities (e.g., a joint tourism collaboration, a shared agricultural export initiative, or a tech partnership).
- Create a physical or digital space for dialogue (e.g., a bilingual online platform for youth/language exchanges, a pop-up cultural hub in border regions, or a travelling photo exhibition).
- Build networks that last (e.g., a trade association linking Armenian and Turkish SMEs, a women’s entrepreneurship mentorship programme, or a media collaboration producing joint content).
- Deliver community-driven solutions (e.g., a cross-border craft fair, a shared environmental cleanup initiative, or sports tournaments for young people).
Context
Relations between Armenia and Türkiye are entering a period of new possibilities. Recent diplomatic engagement and regional developments have created opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries. Yet decades of closed borders, limited interaction, competing historical narratives, and recent conflict experiences continue to shape perceptions and constrain trust between societies.
Funded by the European Union, the Consortium implementing the Programme “Support to Armenia-Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages” seeks to transform these emerging opportunities into practical cooperation and lasting connections. Over 18 months, the Programme will bring together businesses, civil society organisations, journalists, young people, artists, researchers, and other professionals from Armenia and Türkiye to explore common interests, build partnerships, and strengthen people-to-people ties.
We are basing our approach on a simple idea: sustainable normalization requires more than political dialogue. It also depends on regular interaction between people, institutions, and communities that can create shared interests, mutual understanding, and tangible benefits for both countries.
The four Specific Objectives (SO) of the Programme read as follows:
SO1: To develop a clear, evidence-based vision of opportunities for economic cooperation between Armenia and Türkiye that can support long-term, mutually beneficial economic development.
SO2: To mobilize key actors and institutions from Armenia and Türkiye to promote economic collaboration and other forms of cross-border cooperation.
SO3: To engage non-profit organizations, youth, and women-led groups in innovative initiatives that foster cross-border normalization, mutual confidence, and informed public awareness.
SO4: To implement strategic communication and public dialogue initiatives that inform policymakers, business leaders, and citizens about the benefits of cooperation.
A central cross-cutting component of the Programme is the Funding Opportunity that allows the Consortium to engage a larger group of stakeholders in addressing the above specific objectives, and increase the Programme’s impact. The Funding Opportunity is a flexible mechanism capable of responding both to long-term cooperation needs and to newly emerging opportunities promoting Armenia-Türkiye normalization, regional cooperation and connectivity.
The Consortium will support proposals with duration of up to 11 months and with budgets ranging from €10,000 to €60,000. The Consortium allocated a total of €455,000 to support projects under the Funding Opportunity.
The Programme is implemented by a Consortium of four organisations from Armenia and Türkiye with complementary expertise in economic development, policy research, civil society engagement, and dialogue facilitation:
- Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF)
- Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA)
- Hrant Dink Foundation (HDF)
- Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV)
Together, the partners aim to support practical cooperation and stronger cross-border connections that contribute to the long-term normalization of Armenia-Türkiye relations.
The Consortium invites applications from Armenia- and Türkiye-based non-profit organizations (NGOs, foundations). The Consortium may also provide grants to for-profit organisations (e.g. media outlets, medical centres, business consultancies, etc.) in case the grant funds contribute to the objectives and outcomes of the Programme, and are not used to make profit. Applicants should have a formal registration either in Armenia or in Türkiye.
Partnerships between Armenia- and Türkiye-based organizations and individuals are strongly encouraged, and the preference will be given to applications that envisage such a partnership. Activities of the proposed projects should take place either in Armenia or Türkiye or both. In case additional/different project locations are proposed, applicants should explain the need in the application.
Eligible Costs include project-related expenses, such as a) personnel salary (e.g. project director, coordinator, accountant, etc.) and honoraria for experts (local and/or international); b) communication costs (phone, internet, etc.); c) travel costs (transportation, accommodation, meals, travel insurance, etc.); d) purchase of a limited amount of equipment, software and stationary necessary to realise the project; e) survey/research, translation and publication expenses; f) rental of conference facilities, translation equipment, etc.; g) other expenses directly related to the project implementation.
Co-funding: This Funding Opportunity may cover 100% of eligible project costs, though co-funding from other sources is welcome. It may co-finance projects that are already underway or about to begin, provided they receive support from donors other than the European Union. If the submitted proposal requests co-funding for a project that has not yet started, the following conditions must be met: a) the other confirmed or pending source of funding must be specified in the application form; b) the requested funds from the Funding Opportunity must be clearly outlined and justified; and c) the visibility of the EU and the Consortium must be ensured.
Application and Selection Process
The Funding Opportunity will be open for applications from June 19, 2026 through July 30, 2026.
Prior to the submission deadline, EPF will organize online Information Sessions for interested applicants (see rules for participation in the Information Session in the “Main terms of the Call for Applications” below.) The Information Sessions will explain the technical aspects of the application process, discuss the priority areas of the Funding Opportunity, and provide clarification regarding eligibility criteria, project design, budgeting, implementation modalities, and other relevant matters.
EPF staff will screen the submitted applications for compliance with the technical requirements of this Call (proposal language, eligibility of the applicant, project duration and location, requested funding amount, completeness of the application package, etc.) and either reject or shortlist them.
The Selection Committee will evaluate the shortlisted applications based on the evaluation criteria outlined below. The Selection Committee will comprise designated representatives from all members of the Consortium and representatives of the European Union.
The Selection Committee will select applications that should be considered for financial support. The Consortium members may further work with the selected Armenia- and Türkiye-based applicants to refine and finalize their proposed project ideas in order to strengthen the quality (feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability) and overall impact of the future projects.
The Evaluation Criteria and the relevant Scores are:
a) Relevance to Programme Objectives and Outcomes (30 points): To what extent does the proposed initiative contribute to one or more objectives and outcomes of the Programme?
Guiding questions:
• Does the project clearly support Armenia-Türkiye normalization through economic cooperation, societal engagement, dialogue, confidence-building, or other forms of cross-border collaboration?
• Does the project contribute to one or more of the Programme’s intended outcomes?
• Is the proposed intervention relevant to the priorities of this Call for Applications?
b) Quality and Depth of Cross-border Partnership (40 points): To what extent does the project establish meaningful cooperation between Armenian and Turkish actors?
Guiding questions:
• Does the project involve partners from both Armenia and Türkiye?
• Are responsibilities, decision-making, and resources shared in a balanced and meaningful manner?
• Does the partnership demonstrate a genuine commitment to collaboration beyond occasional participation in project activities?
c) Feasibility and Organizational Capacity (10 points): To what extent is the project realistic and implementable?
Guiding questions:
• Does the applicant demonstrate sufficient technical, managerial, and financial capacity to implement the project?
• Are the proposed activities realistic within the proposed timeframe and budget?
• Does the project team possess relevant expertise and experience?
d) Gender, Youth, and Inclusion Dimension (10 points): To what extent does the project promote inclusive participation?
Guiding questions:
• Does the project ensure meaningful participation of women and/or youth?
• Where relevant, does the project engage marginalized, underrepresented, or geographically isolated groups?
• Is inclusion integrated into the project design rather than treated as a standalone activity?
e) Sustainability and Potential for Long-Term Impact (10 points): To what extent are project results likely to continue beyond the grant period?
Guiding questions:
- Is there a realistic pathway for sustaining project benefits after funding ends?
- Will the project contribute to lasting partnerships, networks, cooperation mechanisms, or institutional relationships?
- Are local stakeholders committed to maintaining or building upon the results?
Pre-award and post-award processes
The entire process from the funding decision to the expected start date of selected projects may take up to one calendar month.
Successful organizational applicants will be required to undergo a due diligence Pre-Award Interview. EPF’s Programme Managers and Grants Managers will conduct the Pre-award Interviews (online or offline) with the key staff of the beneficiary organizations in order to assess organizational capacity and identify potential risk factors that may affect project implementation and fiscal responsibility. The award decision may be reverted in case the Pre-award Interview demonstrates that the applicant’s capacity to implement the project is questionable.
Selected beneficiaries will also need to attend a Grants Management Seminar organized by EPF. The Seminar will explain the Programme’s requirements related to financial management, reporting, visibility, procurement, communication, and overall grant implementation.
Following the completion of the pre-award procedures, beneficiaries will sign a Grant Agreement with EPF.
Throughout the project implementation period, the beneficiaries will submit periodic narrative and financial reports. Grant disbursements may be provided in several tranches based on satisfactory implementation progress and reporting.
EPF and other Consortium members may conduct occasional monitoring visits, online meetings, or interviews to ensure adequate progress in the implementation of supported projects.
Along with other components of the Programme, the supported projects will be a subject to an external programmatic evaluation, and the grantees are expected to cooperate with the evaluators. The supported beneficiaries will also need to include in their project budgets relevant expenses to cover the costs of an external financial audit of their grant.
In addition to grants administration and monitoring, EPF and Consortium partners will assist the beneficiaries with networking, as well as will advise them on the nuances of publicity regarding their engagement in the Programme. EPF will also include the beneficiaries into EPF’s mailing lists to keep them updated on the Programme-related developments and opportunities, including capacity-building opportunities. During the term of the Programme, EPF will engage the beneficiaries in a series of supporting activities and events, such as capacity development workshops, strategic discussions, etc., and the beneficiaries should be ready to allocate relevant human resource for participation in these activities.
Visibility and communication
EPF and other members of the Consortium will manage and advise on the publicity and visibility of the funded projects in each particular case. In most of the cases (unless otherwise requested from and approved by the Consortium and EU,) the beneficiaries will be expected to acknowledge that their projects are supported within the framework of the Programme ‘Support to Armenia-Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages’ funded by the European Union. Unless otherwise advised, the beneficiaries will be obliged to follow the EU marking and branding procedures put forward in the Communicating and raising EU visibility: Guidance for external actions - 2022.
Main terms of the Call for Applications
- On-line Information Session for Armenia-based applicants: June 29, 2026
- On-line Information Session for Türkiye-based applicants: June 30, 2026
- Deadline for submission of applications: July 30, 2026
- Evaluation and selection period: within August and September 2026
- Expected project start date: October 1, 2026
- Supported projects must be completed by August 31, 2027
- Project budgets should range between EUR 10,000 and EUR 60,000
- Applications should be submitted in English [font/size: Times New Roman/12; line spacing: single; body text: left aligned.]
NOTE: To participate in an On-line Information Session,
Applicants are expected to submit the following documents:
- Project application in accordance with the form in Annex 1: Proposal Form.
- Project budget and budget narrative in accordance with the form in Annex 2: Budget
- Curriculum vitae (CVs) of the project key team members.
- Registration certificate
- Charter
- [optional] Additional documents or materials that are directly related to or justify any action or previous experience mentioned in the project.
- A reference from the relevant territorial inspectorate that the organization has no tax liabilities.
- A completed Grants Management Questionnaire, which will be provided by EPF.
- A reference from the bank regarding their bank accounts (AMD and EUR in Armenia; TRY and EUR in Turkey).
Applicants should complete their applications and submit them with other required documents via the Application Form.
The Armenia-based applicants can address their inquiries at [email protected]
The Turkey-based applicants can address their inquiries at [email protected]
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This Call for Applications takes place within the framework of the “Support to Armenia-Türkiye Normalization: Enhancing Cross-border Linkages” programme, funded by the European Union. The contents of the announcement are the sole responsibility of Eurasia Partnership Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.