Civic Innovation Fund

The Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) is a unique European pooled fund launched by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub. It aims to pioneer new ideas in civil society, enhance their visibility, and integrate them into NECE, a pan-European network of civic educators. The fund supports start-up ideas in civic education that apply interdisciplinary, intersectional, intergenerational, and inclusive approaches to promote resilience, diversity, and collaboration in democracy. CIF primarily targets young civic educators under 35 and young NGOs less than three years old. Successful project proposals receive between €10,000 and €12,000 for piloting, incubation, and upscaling of their ideas over a 12-month period. Projects should focus on strengthening democratic competencies that promote participation, cohesion, and resilience. To be eligible, projects must be carried out by at least two partners from different European countries in a transnational partnership. One of the partnering organizations should come from either the formal or non-formal/informal civic education sector. The fund supports various project types, including workshops, cultural interventions, exhibitions, scientific studies, and digital innovations. Awarded startups qualify as informal NECE Impact Spots, amplifying their ideas and promoting non-formal civic education in their countries. They are also involved in all NECE activities and have the opportunity to present their ideas at NECE Festivals.