GGI-WB is the Western Balkans Fund’s annual grant scheme for locally driven regional cooperation. The eighth call backed projects in cultural cooperation, education and scientific exchange, and sustainable development.
Eligible organizations form cross-border partnerships and implement activities mainly within the six WBF Contracting Parties. The 2026 cycle opened on 13 March and closed on 20 April.
Benefits & funding
- The call had a total indicative budget of €360,000, with grants of up to €15,000 per project.
- A grant could cover no more than 80% of eligible project costs; applicants had to provide at least 20% co-financing from non-EU funds.
- Projects had to last 3–6 months, including a final 30-day reporting period.
- Eligible spending included project staff, travel and accommodation, direct services and supplies, and indirect costs capped at 7% of eligible direct costs.
Eligibility
- The lead applicant had to be a registered, non-profit legal entity established in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Serbia.
- Eligible entities included civil society organizations, local or regional public entities, business associations, educational or research institutions, media associations, and cultural or sports institutions.
- Each partnership needed one lead applicant and at least two project partners representing at least three different WBF Contracting Parties.
- Profit-making entities, central government institutions, political parties, religious institutions, individuals, and unregistered entities were not eligible as applicants or partners.
- Activities were expected to take place in the six WBF Contracting Parties; exceptional activities elsewhere required justification.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
Albania · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Kosovo · Montenegro · North Macedonia · Serbia
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Application process
- 1Review the application guidelines and form an eligible partnership covering at least three WBF Contracting Parties.
- 2Register or sign in to the WBF Online Grant Management System and complete the English-language application and EUR budget.
- 3Upload the signed and stamped Declaration by the Lead Applicant and submit the complete application online.
- 4If shortlisted, provide the partnership agreement, registration and statute documents, bank and financial records, and the lead applicant’s financial-capacity form.
Program timeline
Eighth call opened.
Mar 13, 2026
Information meetings.
Mar 23, 2026 to Apr 2, 2026
Deadline to request application clarifications.
Apr 6, 2026
Clarifications and the official FAQ were published.
Apr 10, 2026
Application deadline.
Apr 20, 2026 at 13:00 CET
Winners announced.
Jun 22, 2026