ECOM — the Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity — with the support of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), is implementing the project “Emergency Support Fund for LGBT.” The project is aimed at supporting LGBT activists, human rights defenders, LGBT organizations, and initiative groups.

General Information

LGBT activists and community-based initiatives in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) are facing a rapid increase in digital, legal, and socio-economic risks amid shrinking civic space. Discriminatory legislation, criminalization in several countries, restrictions targeting civil society organizations and human rights defenders, as well as increasing anti-LGBT rhetoric, make open activism extremely dangerous.

So-called “LGBT propaganda” laws, state pressure, surveillance, and persecution force many organizations either to stop their work entirely or redirect all resources toward survival instead of providing vital support to their communities. At the same time, most LGBT initiatives in the region lack sustainable physical and digital security systems, have limited capacity for risk assessment and mitigation, and face severe funding shortages.

Objective of the Competition

To support initiatives implemented by LGBT communities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia aimed at responding to crisis situations, increasing organizational safety and resilience, and protecting the rights and well-being of LGBT people under conditions of increasing pressure and shrinking civic space.

Who Can Apply?

– LGBT organizations and initiative groups from the following countries:

  • Azerbaijan
  • Armenia
  • Georgia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan

– Both registered NGOs and unregistered/informal initiative groups are eligible to apply (with the possibility of using a registered organization as a fiduciary agent).

Funding Areas

Applications for small grants may include, but are not limited to, the following support areas:

A. Strengthening the Security of LGBT Organizations and Initiative Groups

  • Updating security policies and procedures
  • Strengthening physical security, including office safety, travel safety, incident response, staff safety, and protection of paper-based data
  • Strengthening digital security, including online data security and protection of organizational and staff information
  • Salaries for staff responsible for safety and protection issues

B. Legal Assistance for LGBT Organizations and Initiative Groups

  • Providing legal consultations related to new or planned anti-LGBT legislation
  • Legal audits, preparation for inspections/searches, guidance for working in public spaces and on social media, etc.
  • Legal support for organizations facing registration challenges or threats of closure due to shrinking civic space
  • Individual safety plans for vulnerable staff members within organizations/initiative groups

C. Responding to Legislative and Policy Changes, Stigmatization, and Disinformation Campaigns

  • Advocacy efforts aimed at countering discriminatory laws and initiatives
  • Rapid communication measures to respond to stigmatizing narratives and targeted media attacks against LGBT organizations (e.g., monitoring state/media narratives, preparing timely responses, fact-checking)

D. Protection of LGBT Organization Staff and Activists

  • Responding to online harassment and attacks targeting organizations or activists (e.g., legal defense, shelter assistance)
  • Providing psychosocial support to staff and activists

The Project Will Not Support:

  • Software purchases
  • Procurement of equipment and technology
  • Service delivery activities

Within the framework of the project, 9 small grants of USD 7,000 each will be awarded.

Implementation period: July – October 2026 (the implementation period may be shorter than 4 months).

Application Process

To justify the requested support, applicants must submit the results of the Self-Assessment of Readiness to Crisis Situation, including aspects related to digital and physical security. The self-assessment form is attached to this announcement.

A webinar on preparing applications and using the self-assessment tool will take place on May 29 at 11:00 Tallinn time. Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FJKuz4TIQ262joG_0oX1gA

A webinar on security for initiative groups and organizations “Assessment and Identification of Priority Life Safety Measures for the Organization” will be held on June 4 at 12:00 Tallinn time. Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ooEU7OuATJaS4cJSRD89kQ

To participate in the competition, applicants must complete:

  • the application form;
  • the Self-Assessment of Readiness to Crisis Situation form;
  • the Workplan and Budget form (attached to this announcement).

Application deadline: June 14, 2026, 23:59 EET
Applications should be sent to: tenders@ecom.ngo

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit a complete application package.

For NGOs

  • Completed application form
  • Attachment: Project Workplan and Budget (template provided)
  • Attachment(s): Documents confirming legal status of the organization (Registration Certificate or equivalent, and Statute)
  • Attachment: Self-Assessment of Readiness to Crisis Situation form

For Initiative Groups

  • Completed application form
  • Attachment: Project Workplan and Budget (template provided)
  • Attachment: Self-Assessment of Readiness to Crisis Situation form
  • Attachment(s): Documents of the partner NGO (fiscal agent) confirming legal status (Registration Certificate or equivalent, and Statute)
  • Attachment: Support letter from the partner NGO (fiscal agent)
  • Attachment(s): Proof of the initiative group’s activities for at least 12 months (minutes of establishment or alternative document)

Important for Initiative Groups

Only initiative groups that began their activities at least 12 months ago may receive support.

To submit a project proposal, initiative groups must have a registered partner organization that will act as a fiduciary agent, including financial management and grant reporting responsibilities. Please attach a support letter from a registered NGO or a cooperation agreement confirming that the NGO will provide comprehensive support to your initiative group during project implementation.

Competition Timeline

The competition will run from May 25 to June 14, 2026.

Application Submission

June 14, 2026, 23:59 EET — application deadline.

On June 15, ECOM will verify compliance with technical requirements. Only applications meeting the competition requirements will be accepted and registered.

Review and Selection

From June 16 to June 25, 2026, applications will be reviewed by a group of independent experts. Recommendations from the experts will be reviewed and approved by the ECOM Steering Committee. All applicants will be informed of the final decision. ECOM reserves the right not to provide reasons for rejection.

Negotiations and Contract Signing

From June 26 to June 30, 2026 — announcement of results and beginning of detailed grant agreement negotiations, including discussions on contract terms, workplans, and budgets for selected grantees. ECOM reserves the right to propose budget modifications.

Project implementation begins on July 1, 2026.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by an independent expert committee.

Criteria include:

  • The application is submitted by an LGBT organization or initiative group operating in the EECA region;
  • Meaningful community involvement in the organization’s activities is demonstrated (e.g., LGBT community members are staff and/or members of governing bodies; at least one key population is identified as a target group in statutory or strategic documents, etc.);
  • The budget corresponds to the proposed activities;
  • The proposal is well developed (SMART criteria applied).

In cases of equal scores:

  • Priority will be given to countries and groups facing the most severe threats, as well as to ensuring diverse regional representation;
  • Priority will be given to organizations and/or initiative groups that have not previously received support from ECOM through similar competitions;
  • ECOM members have priority.

Results will be communicated to all applicants. Selected applicants will sign a service agreement with ECOM.

Contacts and Support

For questions and support, please contact:

Elena Herman
ECOM Capacity Building Coordinator
elena@ecom.ngo