The objective of the NGO fund within the framework of the EEA Financial Mechanism was to strengthen civil society in Romania by supporting projects under five components within the priority sectors of the EEA FM.
- Consolidating democracy
- Children and youth opportunities for community involvement
- Social inclusion and access to social services
- Environment
- Cultural heritage

The NGO Fund was part of the financial support Romania received through the Financial Mechanism from the member states of the EEA and CEFTA (European Free Trade Area): Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein.
The Financial Mechanism is dedicated to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and to help new EEA members to become fully integrated in the Internal Market.
The general objective of the NGO Fund was to strengthen the Romanian civil society by supporting projects in the five priority areas listed above.

The coordinator of the NGO Fund in Romania was the Civil Society Development Foundation together with its partners: the Environmental Partnership Foundation and the Carpathian Foundation - FDEC Romania, appointed following a tender organized by the EEA Financial Mechanism.

The Environmental Partnership Foundation was in charge of implementing the Small Grants Scheme of the environmental component during the period 2008 to 2011.

The total budget of this component was 400,000 EUR.