Civil Society Accelerator
CSA supports small Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and/or civic movements across Europe to better understand the complex EU legal and political landscape and to get full advantage of the tools that are available at the EU level.

After reviewing your application for advice, we will let you know if one of our experts is able to assist you. If so, our expert will contact you to set up a mentoring session.

The mentoring sessions last up to 15 minutes. They may take place either on Tuesday morning, or on Thursday afternoon.
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Please tell us more about yourself and your mission.
That will help us understand your needs and find the best suitable expert for you.
First Name *
Last Name *
Gender *
E-mail *
Stakeholder type *
To better help you, let us know more about your organisation or civic movement!
Organization/ Movement Name *
Country of the Organisation/Movement *
Website link (if any)
Tell us how we may help!
Please fill in the section below so that we can understand your needs.
Choose the area of mentoring that corresponds to your needs: *
If you are not sure check the description of each mentoring area in the below section
Mentoring Areas Guide

Financial Management

Launching and maintaining a financially sustainable NGO can seem an overwhelming task. Luckily there are concrete steps you can take to ensure sound financial management.

Indicative questions:

  • What internal rules and procedures may guarantee sound financial management?

  • How to outsource services such as accounting/ Comms consultancy etc?

  • What provisions should you consider including in your tender?

  • How to identify the most advantageous offer?

  • How to ensure a smooth transition?

Any other questions regarding the financial management of your Civil Society? Feel free to let us know!

Programme Strategy

Holding a General Assembly with your Board to agree on a four-year Programme Strategy is a high-stakes task. If you need advice on how to ensure an effective Work Programme, our experts are here to provide you with tailor-made advice.

Indicative questions:

  • What should you take into account when developing a Programme Strategy?

  • How to break down 4-year programmes into concrete annual Action Plans – the budgetary implications?

  • What is the role of the Board, and how can one engage their Board for the development of an insightful strategy?

  • How to develop milestones and indicators to measure progress and success?

Any other questions regarding the development of your Programme Strategy? Just write it down in the description box.

Human Resources Management

How can your NGO develop an efficient and driven team? There are well-defined steps, leadership can take to ensure your team runs like a clock. ECAS’ leadership is happy to share advice!

Indicative questions:

  • How to increase motivation in your team?

  • How to ensure fair and transparent treatment?

  • How to streamline capacity-building activities for your team for the increase of internal expertise (thematic and functional)?

Any other questions concerning the efficient Management of your CSOs personnel? Just fill in the Application form.

Tackling Disinformation

Smear campaigns against CSOs is the most common reported type of threat/attack from Civil Society in 2021 (FRA, 2022). ECAS’ Disinformation Experts can provide you with creative ideas to establish your CSO as a credible source of information.

Indicative questions:

  • How to battle disinformation narratives against your organization and its mission?

  • How to counter conspiracy theories and fake news circulating in the communities you are addressing?

  • How to build coalitions fighting disinformation?

Any other questions on how to make your Organisation a reliable source of information? Let us know!

Advocacy for EU Rights

After 20 years of experience in responding to thousands of citizens’ enquiries, under the Your Europe Advice service, on cross-border obstacles they encounter, ECAS has accumulated vast expertise on the institutional shortcomings concerning EU citizens’ freedom of movement.

During this period there have been several cases where we had to use the official institutional procedures to defend the Rights of citizens all over Europe. And not without result. Our intervention has led to legislation shifts that improved citizens' experience in EU Member States.

Is there any institutional misconduct you noticed in your country? EU Institutions have the procedures at place to make real change happen.

Indicative questions:

  • How to reach advocacy objectives protecting EU Rights?

  • How to make the most out of the institutional mechanisms:  Super complaint to the European Commission - Petitions to the European Parliament – Ombudsman.

  • Success stories – Obstacles – Best Practice.

  • Advice tailored to the challenges your target audience faces.

  • What are the challenges EU citizens face in my country regarding their Entry, Residence and Voting Rights? 

  • How to better advocate for improvements?

 Any other enquiries concerning EU Rights and EU advocacy? Let us know in the application form.

Effective Campaigning

Our experience with supporting European Citizens’ Initiative Organisers achieve their goals and reach 1 million signatures, has helped us concentrate vast knowledge and resources on effective campaigning.

You want to engage citizens with your mission?

You need to formulate your message, gather and organise your volunteers, and receive recommendations from citizens. Although this may seem a lot, we know how to help you!

Indicative questions:

  • How to organise your volunteers?

  • How to reach a wide audience and activate citizens in support of your mission?

  • How to solicit citizens; concerns and recommendations, concerning your EU related mission?

Any other enquiries on how to make a successful citizen engagement campaign? We are here to help. Just let us know of your specific question below!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

Do you want to develop a strategy for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in your organisation? Have you already taken steps towards it, and wish to enhance and broaden your practices? 

We can support you on this journey of developing and preserving a culture of inclusivity in your organisation. 

Indicative questions:

  • How can you make your events more accessible?
  • Are you engaging marginalised and underrepresented communities in an effective way?
  • How to ensure gender equality and non-discrimination in projects?
Implementing Training Activities

Are you planning to implement a training activity? Do you want your activity to have a strong impact and a multiplier effect? The Civil Society Accelerator is here to support you!

Indicative questions:

How to map the training needs of your target audience?

Face to face, hybrid or online?

How to ensure effective evaluation of your training activities?

What is your specific question? *
Do not hesitate to let us know if you want your consultation in a different language than English. Our available languages are English, French, Italian, Bulgarian, and Greek.
Do you prefer to receive a response through an e-mail or through a 15-minute meeting with the expert? *
Availability (in case you want your consultation in a meeting)
Choose one of the weekday slots below that works best for you and our expert will contact you to set up a meeting as soon as available.
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I agree for my data to be stored and managed under the context of the CSA service. *
The data collected as part of this form will be used for the sole purpose of the mentoring service. Your data will not be used for any other purposes. Please note that we are only collecting data that is strictly necessary. Personal data collected as part of the application form will be destroyed as soon as they are no longer needed. However, you have the right to request that ECAS erase your personal data before the end of the project. To do so, please email info@ecas.org
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I share the European values (listed) as articulated in article 2 TEU and the Charter of fundamental Rights. *
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This service is offered under the project EURECA
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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