The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) is a grantmaking program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). Since 2007, it has supported civil society organizations, independent media, and civic initiatives across the wider Black Sea region. For Ukrainian NGOs, BST is one of the most accessible US-backed donors: proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis, grants start at $5,000, and Ukraine-specific thematic priorities are clearly stated on the program’s website.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, BST has significantly expanded its work with Ukraine. The fund launched several targeted calls for Ukrainian CSOs and media, financed projects supporting displaced teachers, frontline volunteer rehabilitation, and assistance for women from Nagorno-Karabakh who relocated to Ukraine. BST’s current strategy combines long-term democratic development support with direct crisis response.
This article covers who BST is, what it funds, how much you can apply for, and what is currently open for Ukrainian organizations.
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Who is BST and why it matters for Ukraine
BST operates as a program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, an American think tank founded in 1972 as a symbol of gratitude for the Marshall Plan. GMF is not a government body, but its key donors include USAID and the European Commission.
BST was established in 2007 with support from USAID, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Government of Romania, and the Latvian Ministry of Defense. Its geography covers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine, as well as Central and Eastern European and Baltic countries.
BST’s mission is to build civil society as the foundation of democratic progress, social development, and conflict resolution. In practice, that means funding NGOs, independent media, think tanks, and civic initiatives that advance government transparency, citizen participation, and regional dialogue.
For Ukraine, BST’s stated priorities are: accountability of elected and appointed officials, anti-corruption work, civil society cohesion at the national level, think tanks and public policy analysis, and support for independent media.
What BST funds: 2 core programs
BST accepts proposals on a rolling basis under two standing programs. Thematic Calls for Applications open separately with their own deadlines.
Civic Participation
This program funds in-country projects. For Ukraine, it specifically targets: accountability of officials and MPs, anti-corruption initiatives, think tanks and public policy analysis, support for independent media, and projects that strengthen national-level civil society cohesion. Organizations outside the capital are equally eligible.
Regional Programs
Focused on international cooperation. This stream supports projects that bring together organizations from different countries across the Black Sea region and Central and Eastern Europe: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Poland, Slovakia, and others. Funded activities include regional dialogues, governance best-practice exchanges, and international networks.
Beyond these two standing programs, BST regularly launches thematic calls. Recent examples include targeted support for Ukrainian CSOs and media during wartime, regional humanitarian response programs, countering disinformation in Moldova, women’s rights in Azerbaijan, and Bulgarian civil society resilience during the pandemic.
How much can you receive and who is eligible
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum grant | $5,000 USD |
| Maximum grant | $60,000 USD |
| Average grant | $25,000 USD |
| Project duration | 3 to 12 months (unless otherwise stated in a specific call) |
| Eligible applicants | NGOs registered in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine; EU-based CSOs (under Regional Program); informal groups in exceptional cases |
| Partners | NGOs, universities, media outlets; government and commercial entities may participate as partners without a financial share |
| Co-funding | Not required, but strongly encouraged |
| Deadline (core programs) | Applications accepted on an ongoing basis |
| Application language | English only |
| Contact | BlackSeaTrust@gmfus.org |
| Official page | gmfus.org/bst-grantmaking |
Open opportunities: BST and Transatlantic Foundation in 2025-2026
BST’s core programs accept proposals on an ongoing basis. In parallel, BST implements joint projects with the Transatlantic Foundation (TF) under the EU-funded ERICS-EaP program (Enhancing the Resilience of Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership). Two active calls are currently open under this partnership.
Networking Grants for EaP CSOs
Transatlantic Foundation and BST offer grants of 30,000 euros to civil society organizations from Eastern Partnership countries. The program supports regional collaboration and network-building involving organizations from multiple countries. Priority areas include democracy, civic engagement, human rights, media integrity, countering disinformation, and rule of law. Project duration is up to 12 months. Deadline: 13 March 2026.
Individual Travel Grants for CSO representatives
Under the same program, BST and TF award individual travel grants of up to 1,500 euros to cover costs for participating in regional networking events. Grants go to CSO representatives, civic activists, and leaders of informal groups from six Eastern Partnership countries. The program awards 50 grants in total. Applications must be submitted at least one month before the event. Next award period: 15 September to 15 October 2026.
Official page for BST and TF calls: gmfus.org/bst-grantmaking. Send proposals for the core programs directly to BlackSeaTrust@gmfus.org.
How to apply: practical steps
BST has clear procedural rules. Failing to follow them removes a proposal from consideration automatically. Here is what to know before submitting.
Use only BST forms. BST accepts proposals written exclusively on its own templates: a narrative form and a budget form. Download them at the Application Forms page. Any other format is rejected.
English only. Proposals in any other language are not reviewed.
No additional documents needed. BST does not require statutes, registration certificates, or CVs upfront. If needed, BST staff will request them separately.
Confirmation within one week. After sending your application, expect a receipt confirmation within 7 business days.
Not sure your idea fits? BST allows submitting a concept note before a full application. Send a short description of your project idea to BlackSeaTrust@gmfus.org for an initial fit assessment.
One active grant per organization. BST does not fund two simultaneous projects from the same organization. If your NGO is already implementing a BST grant, a new application will not be accepted until the current project concludes.
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