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Apply for support
Find out more and submit your application by clicking on the button below!
Apply for supportThe European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is an independent, grant-making organisation, established in 2013 by the European Union (EU) and EU member states as an autonomous International Trust Fund to foster democracy in the European Neighbourhood (Eastern Partnership – EaP – and Middle East and North Africa – MENA), the Western Balkans, Turkey and beyond.
EED supports civil society organisations, pro-democracy movements, civic and political activists, and independent media platforms and journalists working towards a pluralistic, democratic political system. These can also include newly created or non-registered organisations, informal platforms, youth groups and individuals. In particular, EED supports those who cannot be supported by other donors and existing EU instruments. Support is contingent on adherence to democratic values, respect for human rights and observance of principles of non-violence.
EED was established by the EU and EU member states as an independent, complementary mechanism to provide fast and flexible technical and financial support to democratisation and human rights promotion in the European Neighbourhood.
EED provides flexible support to democracy activists, complementing other EU and EU member state democracy support programmes. EED is demand-driven and responds to the needs of local democracy actors, who may not be able to obtain funding otherwise.
The work of EED is overseen by its Board of Governors and Executive Committee.
The EED Board of Governors has 43 members: representatives of the 27 EU member states, the UK, Norway, the European External Action Service, a representative designated by the European Commission, up to nine Members of the European Parliament, and three members elected to represent European civil society. The Board meets every six months and is responsible for the mandate, mission, and overall guidance of EED’s operations and development. It receives regular reports from the Executive Committee and the Executive Director.
Members of the Board of Governors: David McAllister, Member of the European Parliament (Chair); Udo Bullmann Member of the European Parliament; Anna Fortyga, Member of the European Parliament; Michael Gahler, Member of the European Parliament; Berard Guetta, Member of the European Parliament; Heidi Hautala, Member of the European Parliament; Tonino Picula, Member of the European Parliament; Željana Zovko, Member of the European Parliament; Sandra Breka, Civil society expert; Pavol Demeš, Civil society expert; Lisbeth Pilegaard; Civil society expert; Helena Kőnig, European External Action Service; Christian Leffler, designated by the European Commission, as well as representatives from the 27 EU member states, the UK and Norway.
The EED Executive Committee consists of seven members who represent a variety of expertise, including those with strong experience in civil society and foundation work, as well as EU member state representatives that meet on average every two months to take funding decisions.
Members of the EED Executive Committee: Lisbeth Pilegaard, Civil society expert (Chair); Pavol Demeš, Civil society expert (Vice-chair); Sandra Breka, Civil society expert; Maria Ligor, Romania; José María Muriel Palomino, Spain; Bernard Guetta, Member of the European Parliament; Jerzy Pomianowski, EED Executive Director.
The Brussels-based EED Secretariat is responsible for EED’s day-to-day grant making work. Jerzy Pomianowski is EED Executive Director.
To date, 25 European countries that are members of the Board of Governors and the European
Commission have contributed to the EED budget. 
also contributes through a special grant for Ukraine and Belarus.
Rue de la Loi 34
1040 Brussels
Belgium
For enquiries, please email:
For information about job and traineeship opportunities: Vacancies at EED