Deadline Date: December 15, 2025
The CARE Balkans has announced a new grant opportunity for social enterprises operating in several districts of southern and central Serbia — including the Nišavski, Rasinski, Toplički, Jablanički, Pirotski and Pčinjski districts.
This call is part of the EWI project — Economic Inclusion and Justice for Women in the Western Balkans — supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). The grants aim to strengthen the capacity, sustainability and social impact of enterprises that contribute to inclusion, employment and local development.
Under the call, eligible social enterprises may receive funding up to €10,000 for equipment or services that support their growth. The purpose is to enable these organisations to invest in tools, resources and services they need to scale their operations, enhance their economic viability, and improve their social impact within their communities. The support is specifically targeted at enterprises with a social mission, especially those engaging vulnerable or marginalized populations such as women with disabilities, single mothers, rural residents, minority communities or other disadvantaged groups.
Eligible applicants include registered social enterprises or organisations in the process of obtaining that status under the national law. They may be entrepreneurs, cooperatives, associations, foundations or other legal entities that operate economically but prioritise social impact over profit. The key eligibility requirement is a demonstrated social mission, a clear plan for social or economic impact — such as job creation, environmental protection or community support — and inclusive, participatory governance. Priority is given to those that actively reinvest profits into social objectives and ensure inclusive decision-making and transparency.
Applications require legal registration, proof of active operations, financial statements or business documentation, and a clear proposal for how the grant will be used. Interested organisations must submit an application by the deadline, after which a selection committee will evaluate proposals based on the strength of social mission, economic viability, potential for impact, and organisational capacity. Selected enterprises may also be invited for interviews or visits before final grant approval.
For social enterprises in the targeted districts, this grant round presents a timely chance to gain tangible support, strengthen their operational capacity, and enhance their ability to serve marginalized communities. By investing in socially driven and sustainable business models, CARE Balkans aims to foster social inclusion, empower vulnerable groups, and promote equitable local development across the region.
For more information, visit CARE.
