Building on Years of Cooperation
Throughout our years as contact point, our role has not been pure administration. We have focused on promoting active international cooperation. Rooted in our long-standing commitment to human rights, we work alongside European civil society organisations to support democratic values, promote civic participation, and strengthen social cohesion.
Over the past funding cycles, we have facilitated hundreds of cross-border partnerships and contributed to capacity-sharing initiatives that help local watchdogs and human rights defenders protect vulnerable communities and democratic spaces. This experience ensures that as we step into this new phase, we do so with a solid foundation for supporting European democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Why This Fund Matters Now More Than Ever
Civil society is the backbone of any healthy democracy, but today, that backbone is facing historic pressure across Europe due to democratic backsliding, rising hate speech, and sophisticated disinformation campaigns. The EEA and Norway Grants Civil Society Fund is one of the most critical lifelines available to counter these threats, injecting flexible support into 15 EU member states to empower citizens, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights.
For Norway, this fund represents a meaningful commitment to a shared European future through this mechanism, Norway brings a unique contribution to the table – our tradition of dugnad, trust, and civic participation – to meet and support the immense resilience of European grassroots movements.
This is a great opportunity for Norwegian organisations to work with partners across Europe. By collaborating with civil society organisations in other countries, we can share experiences, learn from each other, and develop new ways to strengthen democracy together. These partnerships help build strong networks and lasting cooperation across borders.
At the end of the day, protecting democratic values is a shared responsibility. By working together, we can create a stronger, more resilient, and more secure Europe for everyone.
Introducing Our New Contact Point: Sara Machado S. Lyngstad
Sara Machado will be responsible for the bilateral initiatives as our new contact point for the Civil Society Fund. She will be fulfilling this role with contributions from an eager team from the NHC, including Csilla Czimbalmos, Gunnar Ekeløve Slydal, Mina Skouen and Dag Fedøy.
Sara is a familiar face at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, where she has focused on communication and advocacy for several years. She holds a Master’s in Human Rights from the University of Oslo and has experience amplifying the voices of international politicians and human rights defenders. Her understanding of our organisation and international background will be central to helping our partners build meaningful, collaborative relationships across borders.
“Growing up in Brazil, where democracy is under constant pressure, taught me the devastating cost of human rights being misunderstood or ignored,” says Sara. “It also showed me the immense value of a strong civil society and its power to strengthen communities from within – because ultimately, sustainable change is an act of co-creation. I am incredibly excited to help our partners write the next chapter of impactful, cross-border collaboration.”
Whether your organisation is based in Norway or across Europe, if you are looking to exchange experiences, build lasting networks, and develop new projects together, Sara is here to help you navigate funding calls, seed money applications, and project matchmaking.
Get in touch:
- Visit us online: Explore active calls, guidelines, and database resources at eeacivilsocietyfund.no and sign up for our newsletter.
- Email us: Reach out to us at [email protected] to discuss partnership opportunities, upcoming calls for proposals or to welcome Sara to the role!