The European Commission has opened a new €21 million call under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme to fund organisations working to prevent and combat gender based violence and violence against children. It is called CERV Daphne 2026, and the deadline is 3 November 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.
What the call funds
CERV Daphne 2026 is managed directly by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Justice and Consumers. It funds five separate priorities, and each proposal can only address one of them: supporting intermediary organisations that regrant funds to grassroots groups, protecting and supporting victims and survivors of gender based violence, preventing gender based violence, helping Member States implement the EU directive on combating violence against women and the Istanbul Convention, and strengthening integrated child protection systems.
Who can apply, and which priority fits your organisation
This is the part worth reading carefully before you start drafting anything. Priority 1, the regranting priority, is reserved for organisations with at least three years of proven experience managing and awarding grants in this field: it suits federations, foundations or larger networks, not a frontline association applying for the first time. Priorities 2 and 3, on protection and prevention, are the most realistic entry point for smaller civil society organisations: they require a consortium of at least two applicants, and involving a public authority is recommended but not mandatory. Priority 4 is reserved for public authorities as lead applicant. Priority 5, on child protection systems, requires a public authority in the consortium as either lead or partner. Natural persons cannot apply, with the exception of self employed sole traders, and any organisation can act as lead applicant on only one proposal across the whole call.
Budget and deadline
Grants under Priority 1 range from €1,000,000 to €2,500,000 for a 36 month project. Grants under Priorities 2, 3, 4 and 5 range from €200,000 to €600,000, for projects lasting between 12 and 24 months. The call opened on 7 July 2026, the submission deadline is 3 November 2026 at 17:00 CET, and results are expected around May 2027.
Why it matters if you do not have a dedicated EU office
Daphne calls have historically been a real entry door for organisations that are not built around Brussels level grant writing: the budget floor of €200,000 under priorities 2 and 3 is modest by EU standards, and the two partner minimum is lower than what many Erasmus+ or Creative Europe actions ask for. The trade off is that eligibility and consortium rules are strict, and evaluators expect a genuine track record with the target group, not just good intentions. If your organisation already runs services for victims of violence, or prevention activities in schools or communities, this call is written with you in mind.
How to apply
Proposals go exclusively through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, where you register your organisation before submitting. You will need Application Form Part A with administrative and budget details, Application Form Part B with the technical project description, a detailed budget table, CVs of the core project team, and, for priorities involving children, a child protection policy covering the four areas of the Keeping Children Safe safeguarding standards. Start the registration and legal entity validation early: it is the step that most commonly slows down first time applicants.