Call for project applications

Since 2001 the Consulate General has promoted collaboration between Sweden and Türkiye by disbursing grants. The support is guided by the Strategy for Sweden´s reform cooperation with the Western Balkans and Türkiye for 2021–2027 and the reform agenda from 2023- Development assistance for a new era. You can find the strategy here. Our aim is to support civil society organizations throughout Türkiye, to serve as a resource for our partners, and to provide a platform for public debate.

The overall objective of our support is to:

• Strengthen respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,
  as well as to improve the conditions for a gender-equal society.

Within this objective, we particularly welcome applications with project proposals that focus on:

• Freedom of expression and media freedom, as well as combating disinformation.
• Promoting young people's democratic participation.

We also encourage projects that contribute to synergies between trade and development cooperation, as well as projects related to migration and the enjoyment of rights by refugees. 

We encourage projects that foster collaborations between different institutions and sectors of society, that include activities in multiple regions of Türkiye, and that are co-funded with other grant makers. We also encourage that a gender equality perspective is mainstreamed into the applicant’s organizational structure as well as their working methods, and in the activities of the project.

The selection will be carried out in three steps:

1) Organizations are invited to submit their project ideas using the attached template by 21 July 2025. Applications should be submitted electronically to istanbul.sektionen@gov.se.

The Consulate General will review all submitted project ideas and contact the organizations selected to proceed to the next step.

2) A complete application will be requested if the project idea has been selected for further consideration (more information about the required documents will be provided at this stage).

3) Interviews will be conducted with shortlisted organizations.

Application guidelines

Officially registered CSOs, foundations, associations, think tanks, trade unions and universities are welcome to apply. Applications from individuals or profit-making businesses are not eligible. Project applications related to the Syrian crisis are referred to Sida's Syrian crisis strategy (you can find that strategy here).

In order for us to be able to review your project, you must fill out the “Concept note – call for project applications” which you can find here. Before filling out the application, we recommend that you read the full strategy here.

Projects that focus on humanitarian or psychosocial aspects fall outside the scope of the Consulate General’s support.

The project idea template must be completed and submitted in English. The total amount of the project grant application should be clearly indicated in Turkish Lira.

For any inquiries or questions, please contact istanbul.sektionen@gov.se