Issued by THE CIVICS Innovation HubApplication Deadline: 16 February 2026, 11:59 pm CETProject Period: 1 April – 1 December 2026Grant Amount: €10,000 per selected project Call Overview Across Europe, financial and economic literacy is increasingly recognised as a critical pillar of civic education and democratic resilience. In a context shaped by rising living costs, widening inequality, rapid digitalisation of finance, and declining trust in institutions, the ability to understand economic systems and make informed financial decisions is essential for active citizenship and social cohesion. Financial and economic literacy extends far beyond basic budgeting or saving skills. When embedded in civic education, it empowers individuals—particularly young people and vulnerable groups—to better understand how economic policies affect their daily lives, how financial systems operate, and how they can participate meaningfully in democratic processes. High-quality educational initiatives in this field foster autonomy, reduce social exclusion, and strengthen critical thinking around both personal and collective economic choices. To advance innovative approaches in this area, THE CIVICS Innovation Hub is launching the Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) 2026 Call on Financial and Economic Literacy. Purpose of the Fund The CIF 2026 call aims to support organisations and initiatives that connect financial and economic literacy with broader goals of civic education, democratic participation, inclusion, and social resilience. The fund is designed to help projects that have strong ideas and concepts but lack the resources to pilot, test, or scale their work. Selected projects will receive €10,000 to: Pilot new and experimental approaches Incubate innovative educational formats Scale up successful practices for broader implementation Deliver tangible outcomes by December 2026 Priority Themes Projects supported under this call should: Address financial and economic literacy as a civic competence Strengthen democratic participation, inclusion, and resilience Empower communities to critically engage with economic systems Promote social cohesion through informed financial decision-making Foster trust, accountability, and understanding of economic governance Eligible Project Formats THE CIVICS Innovation Hub welcomes a wide range of creative, interdisciplinary, and learner-centred approaches, including but not limited to: Workshops and training programmes Formal, non-formal, or informal education initiatives Community-based or cultural interventions Exhibitions and interactive learning spaces Eyewitness talks and participatory dialogue formats Scientific or applied research projects Scenario-based learning and simulations Digital tools such as apps or online platforms Augmented or virtual reality storytelling formats Projects should demonstrate a clear link between financial and economic literacy and democratic engagement. Eligibility Criteria To be considered for funding, applications must meet the following criteria: Thematic relevance Projects must focus on financial and economic literacy and clearly link these themes to civic education, democracy, inclusion, and social resilience. Democratic impact Projects should strengthen democratic competencies that promote participation, cohesion, and resilience. Organisational focus Applications are open to all organisations. Priority will be given to: Startups in civic education (organisations established within the last three years) Youth-led organisations Transnational partnership Projects must be implemented through a transnational partnership. At least one partner must be based in Europe (including wider Europe), in addition to the lead partner. One partner must come from the formal or non-formal/informal civic education sector. Geographical scope CIF funding is limited to projects based in Europe. The main implementing organisation must be registered in a European country. Values and principles Projects should actively incorporate diversity, inclusiveness, and interdisciplinarity. Implementation timeline Projects must be designed for an eight-month implementation period from 1 April to 1 December 2026. About the Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) The Civic Innovation Fund is a unique European pooled funding mechanism managed by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub. Its mission is to support pioneering ideas in civil society, increase their visibility, and strengthen their long-term impact. CIF focuses on early-stage and innovative initiatives that challenge conventional approaches to civic education and democratic engagement. The CIF 2026 Financial and Economic Literacy Call is supported by the ERSTE Foundation. Applicants are encouraged to plan their project scope and partnerships carefully to align with the funding period and objectives. Contact Information For questions or further information: THE CIVICS Innovation Hub Contact person: Fidelis Kwadwo Nketia Email: cif@thecivics.eu VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.