Document status: current. Last source check: 4 Nov 2026, 09:59 UTC. Extracts below retain the donor’s source wording.
Countries and scope
Venezuela · Colombia · Mexico · Haiti · Cuba
Allocation round 9 – Venezuela
Source document ↗Allocation round 7 – Colombia
Source document ↗Allocation round 3 – Central America and Mexico
Source document ↗Allocation round 4 - Haiti
Source document ↗Allocation round 8 – Cuba
Source document ↗
Funding priorities
Actions supported by DG ECHO will be guided by the following priorities which are further developed in the Technical Annex of this HIP and which may be amended if the humanitarian context varies along the implementation year:
Response strategy ↗1. Response to ongoing complex crises in affected countries;
Response strategy ↗2. Response to regional forced displacement resulting from such crises; and
Response strategy ↗In the case of sudden unforeseen emergencies, ReliefEU funding (former Emergency Toolbox) can be activated (see 6.2 below). The humanitarian response shall be compliant with the EU’s thematic policies and guidelines that are described in detail in the HIP policy annex.
Response strategy ↗Actions should have the potential to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action including cash assistance, quality funding and locally led initiatives. In line with its localisation priority, DG ECHO promotes an increased cooperation with local actors and the submission of proposals with a strong localisation angle, including actions on capacity building, locally-led response and increased funding transferred directly to local actors.
Response strategy ↗Interventions in the sectors of education in emergencies or Disaster Preparedness, as well as actions for which the continuity leads to a demonstrated added value in terms of impact and efficiency, may benefit from multi-year funding.
Response strategy ↗Under the HIP 2026, DG ECHO will continue to support ongoing programmatic partnerships and could consider new ones if partners – INGOs with a DG ECHO programmatic partnership certificate, UN agencies and the Red Cross/Crescent family and Member States’ Specialised Agencies – demonstrate the strategic and/or innovative character of the action and the added value of a longer-term partnership. A programmatic partnership can be implemented through multi-year funding (initial funding allocation for 24 months or more) or through a staged approach, where funding is allocated annually.
Response strategy ↗DG ECHO will prioritise the most vulnerable populations in humanitarian hotspots affected by Venezuela’s protracted humanitarian crisis. Key focus areas will include protection, health, nutrition, education in emergencies and DP, while food assistance, WASH and shelter will function as support sectors. Priority will be given to multisectoral or integrated interventions designed to provide comprehensive responses in humanitarian hotspots. Programming will follow a flexible, integrated, and needs-based approach, with emphasis on underserved areas and populations. DG ECHO will support interventions that can adapt to evolving conditions
Response strategy ↗and emergency situations while ensuring staff safety and principled access. Coordination and information management activities at both field and capital levels may also be funded.
Response strategy ↗DG ECHO will support humanitarian response prioritising areas of multiple and high vulnerabilities with limited institutional response. This will include intersectoral and integrated interventions to respond to recent displacements and confinements. Flexible and agile approaches should be promoted to align with the changing needs and to provide a timely and relevant response. The interventions should support effective coordination, be in line with IHL and enhance the protection of the most vulnerable, including children in armed conflict and survivors of gender-based violence.
Response strategy ↗Operations will focus on addressing the humanitarian consequences of rising violence in the country's most affected provinces. It places a special emphasis on generating evidence, ensuring effective coordination and responding to the acute humanitarian needs, with complementary and where possible integrated approaches in protection, health, education and shelter.
Response strategy ↗The strategy for CAM tackles the humanitarian consequences of Other Situations of Violence (OSV), forced displacement and food insecurity in areas affected by multiple hazards and where DG ECHO’s funding represents a clear added value in response to acute needs and an opportunity to gather evidence and advocate for ongoing crises. Intersectoral and integrated approaches should be promoted among prioritized sectors while building synergies with other development actions. In Mexico, DG ECHO will focus on addressing the humanitarian consequences of OSV in the country's most violent hotspots with special emphasis on the
Response strategy ↗southern and northern borders, where efforts should be integrated with ongoing actions addressing the humanitarian needs of forcibly displaced people. This includes a particular focus on protection, Education in Emergencies (EiE), MPCT and Health.
Response strategy ↗DG ECHO aims to respond to the humanitarian needs of most vulnerable people affected by violences (war-wounded, GBV survivors, displaced and deported people, forcibly recruited children, non-accompanied minors, pregnant women, newborns and children under five, persons with disabilities, discriminated communities and the most acute food insecure population (IPC Phase 4+) and to uphold the humanitarian principles. Priority will be given to areas affected and prone to violence, with unmet needs and disrupted basic services, high level of food insecurity and severe access constraints. Protection should be central to the proposed response.
Response strategy ↗The focus should be on the provision of life saving response to the most acute needs.
Response strategy ↗DG ECHO’s humanitarian efforts in the Caribbean will focus on responding to critical humanitarian crises in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and across the region (including Trinidad and Guyana) where stateless, refugees and displaced populations are present. DG ECHO will support actions that address urgent needs in protection, health, WASH and food and nutrition. In protection-sensitive situations, DG ECHO prioritizes lifesaving assistance and comprehensive services to reduce the impact of forced displacement. In Cuba where the fast deterioration of the health services is critical, priority must go to ensuring access to lifesaving
Response strategy ↗health services for mothers, vulnerable pregnant women and children. In the Dominican Republic (where both Haitian stateless and at risk of deportation and refugee and asylum seekers need protection), priority will be given to actions ensuring protection services, child
Response strategy ↗protection, education in emergencies and quality maternal, infant, and mental health services, as well as comprehensive care for survivors of sexual violence based on context analysis and severity of needs.
Response strategy ↗6.1.2 Response to the regional forced displacement crisis
Response strategy ↗Complementing the specific response to complex crisis outlined above, DG ECHO will prioritise integrated actions targeting the most vulnerable people on the move regardless of their nationality and status. Focus will be given to people in transit or stranded along the displacement routes in places where minimal conditions are not met and risks are higher.
Response strategy ↗Given the uncertain dynamics of displacement flows, flexibility of the response will be paramount. Operations adaptable to changes in the displacement patterns during the implementation will be prioritised. Legal support will need to be justified based on its relevance to addressing acute protection needs in each context.
Response strategy ↗Operations will be adapted to the local contexts, but partners are expected to apply a route- based approach, looking to the whole route from origin to destination beyond the specific country of implementation. In transit areas affected by other humanitarian crises, the response is expected to be provided in an integrated manner, tackling jointly the different threats and affectations to which displaced and host populations are exposed.
Response strategy ↗Coordination and information management will be supported, when and if, contribute to joint mechanisms and avoid duplications. In this sense, DG ECHO welcomes the submission of proposals aiming at rationalizing or adapting coordination mechanisms to the new context in terms of needs, availability of resources, and ensuring the implementation of recommendations provided by the Review of regional coordination mechanisms in response to mixed movements in the LAC region funded by ECHO and AECID.
Response strategy ↗6.1.3. Disaster Preparedness and early and anticipatory action
Response strategy ↗In 2026, DG ECHO’s disaster preparedness efforts will target areas with high exposure to multiple hazards and climate-related fragility in South America, including Colombia and Venezuela. In accordance with DG ECHO’s biannual budget cycle for DP no dedicated DP funding is foreseen in 2026 for Central America, Mexico, Haiti, and the wider Caribbean. Partners are expected to sustain and build on ongoing preparedness activities. Crucially, a disaster preparedness approach must be integrated into all humanitarian proposals submitted under this HIP across the region.
Response strategy ↗Projects will ensure that vulnerable groups are protected through inclusive disaster risk management actions at all levels. Efforts will continue to strengthen local preparedness systems, especially in conflict-affected and fragile settings, emphasizing anticipation and early action. Climate- and environment-sensitive programming will be systematically integrated through a multi-hazard, multi-sector lens that prioritizes the most vulnerable, marginalized, and in-need populations.
Response strategy ↗Thematic priorities include, among others, supporting anticipatory action and shock-responsive social protection systems. Targeted investments in preparedness related to population movements will be pursued where based on solid assessments and showing a clear added value, contributing to broader multi-stakeholder planning. In contexts marked by violence and instability, emphasis will be placed on reaching those with limited access to services and higher protection risks, through strategies embedded within local systems.
Response strategy ↗All preparedness and response actions should integrate environmental sustainability, and whenever possible promote nature-based solutions to reduce risks. In areas where environmental degradation, deforestation, and unsustainable land use exacerbate the impacts of disasters and climate change, key interventions should ensure that humanitarian outcomes contribute to both community and environmental resilience.
Response strategy ↗
Partner eligibility
Only ECHO partners are eligible to submit a project for funding58;
Eligibility criteria ↗No award will be made to NGO partner organisations which have not complied with their obligations concerning the submission of audited financial statements (i.e., which would not have submitted those in due time to the Commission without a proper justification) or which would appear not to offer sufficient guarantee as to their financial capacity to implement the proposed actions (in light of their liquidity and solvency ratios as appearing from their latest available annual statutory accounts certified by an approved external auditor).
Eligibility criteria ↗All awards made using EU Funds must respect the Conditionality Measures59 issued under any Council Implementing Decision adopted in accordance with Article 6 of EU Regulation 2020/2092 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget60 (“Conditionality Decision”).
Eligibility criteria ↗The Commission hereby notifies applicants under this HIP/TA of the following Conditionality Decision (valid at the date of publication of this HIP/TA):
Eligibility criteria ↗58 Lists of DG ECHO Partners are available here:[Humanitarian partners - European Commission](https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/partnerships/humanitarian-partners_en).
Eligibility criteria ↗For programmatic partnerships, see eligible DG ECHO Partners in the Guidance to DG ECHO Partners Programmatic Partnerships 2024 available here:[https://www.dgecho-partners-helpdesk.eu/reference-documents-ngo](https://www.dgecho-partners-helpdesk.eu/reference-documents-ngo).
Eligibility criteria ↗59 Conditionality Measures against a Concerned Entity, may, for example, include, amongst others, the requirement to:suspend payments or the implementation of the legal commitment to/with the Concerned Entity; and/or terminate the legal commitment with the Concerned Entity; and/or prohibit entering into new legal commitments with the Concerned Entity. Conditionality Decisions and Measures issued under Council Implementing Decisions may impact the implementation of grants, contributions and procurement contracts awarded, as the Commission is required to ensure the application of these Conditionality Decisions
Eligibility criteria ↗and Measures in the implementation of the EU budget via both direct and indirect management. implementation of grants, contributions and procurement contracts awarded, as the Commission is required to ensure the application of these Conditionality Decisions and Measures in the implementation of the EU budget via both direct and indirect management.
Eligibility criteria ↗60 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget OJ L 433I , 22.12.2020, p. 1–10
Eligibility criteria ↗62 Act IX of 2021 on public interest trust foundations with a public service mission (entry into force 01/01/2023).
Eligibility criteria ↗63 Available (in Hungarian) at:[https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2021-9-00-00](https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2021-9-00-00)
Eligibility criteria ↗Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506 of 15 December 2022 on measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary61.
Eligibility criteria ↗This Conditionality Decision, in particular its Article 2.2, prohibits legal commitments under direct and indirect management with any public interest trust established by Hungarian Act IX of 202162, including those entities listed in Annex I to Hungarian Act IX of 202163 and other affiliated entities maintained by them (“Concerned Entities”). The Commission will further notify when the above-mentioned Conditionality Measures are lifted.
Eligibility criteria ↗
Apply the round-specific restrictions below together with the complete partner and award conditions.
Allocation rounds and submission dates
Allocation round 1 - Venezuela
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 09/02/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners7: All DG ECHO Partners.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 2 – Colombia
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 09/02/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners13: All DG ECHO Partners.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 3 – Central America and Mexico
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 26/01/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners19: All DG ECHO Partners.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 4 - Haiti
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 27/01/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners25: All DG ECHO Partners. For programmatic partnerships, see eligible DG ECHO Partners in the Guidance to DG ECHO Partners Programmatic Partnerships 2024 available here:[https://www.dgecho-partners-helpdesk.eu/reference-documents-ngo](https://www.dgecho-partners-helpdesk.eu/reference-documents-ngo). 26 Single Forms will be submitted to DG ECHO using APPEL. 27 The Commission reserves the right to consider Single Forms transmitted after this date, especially in case certain needs/ priorities are not covered by the received Single Forms. 28 The eligibility date of the Action is not linked to the date of receipt of the Single Form. It is either the eligibility date set in the Single form or the eligibility date of the HIP, whatever occurs latest. In case of amendments to existing agreements, the eligible date will however be the eligible date set in the initial agreement. 29 Maximum duration of an action is 48 months. 30 See the factsheet on EU Humanitarian Aid Mult
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 5 – South America
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 09/02/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners31: All DG ECHO Partners.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 6 - Caribbean
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 27/01/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners37: All DG ECHO Partners.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 7 – Colombia
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: by 01/07/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners43: based on presence in the affected areas, access capacity, on-going response and priority sectors, the following partners have been pre-identified: NRC-NO.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 8 – Cuba
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: - - - - - Modification requests by 20/07/2026 - - - New requests by 20/07/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners49: Based on the need to reinforce ongoing actions, the following partners have been pre-identified: PAHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, UNDP, CARE, HI (for an indicative amount EUR 8 million). Other ECHO partners with access to affected areas and relevant expertise in priority sectors (for an indicative amount EUR 2 million).
Read the source wording
Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information:
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Allocation round 9 – Venezuela
Indicative date has passed
- Published date / wording
- Indicative date for receipt of the above requested information: 17/08/2026
- Potential or pre-selected partners
- Potential partners55: ECHO certified partners operating in affected areas.
Dates are indicative and remain in their published context. A date shown here does not certify that new applications are being accepted. Confirm the exact cutoff time and applicable instructions.
Official documents and versions
- HIP version 5 ↗ Version 5 · document read · 4 Nov 2026, 09:59 UTC
- Technical annex version 5 ↗ Version 5 · document read · 4 Nov 2026, 09:59 UTC