Apply Now: Commonwealth Foundation £30,000 Grants Programme

Deadline: October 24, 2024

The Commonwealth Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2024 Grants Programme. This initiative seeks to fund projects that promote meaningful collaboration between civil society and government, particularly in areas where civil society can actively participate in policy development and decision-making processes.

Priority Themes:
To qualify for funding, projects must address one or more of the following key themes:

1. Health Justice
2. Freedom of Expression
3. Climate Justice

In addition, applicants must take into account factors such as partnerships and exclusions.

As a vital pillar of the Commonwealth’s intergovernmental framework, the Commonwealth Foundation works to amplify the voice of civil society, ensuring its engagement in governance and policy shaping to improve people’s lives.

Grant Amount:
The total grant requested must range between £15,000 and £30,000 per year, with funding available for up to two years.

Eligibility Criteria:
To be considered for the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a registered not-for-profit civil society organization (CSO) based in a Commonwealth Foundation member country.
• Newly established organizations (those less than three years old) are not eligible.
• The proposed project must be implemented within the country of registration or in another eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country. The project can have a national, sub-national, or international scope, but strong local involvement is required.
• The project should aim to create change through engagement between civil society and decision-makers, addressing one of the priority themes mentioned above.
• The organization must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience working in governance or advocacy in the proposed area or theme.
• The requested grant amount should not exceed 70% of the organization’s average annual income over the past two years.
• The organization’s average annual income over the past two years must be less than £2.5 million.
• The proposal must include considerations of gender equality.
• Organizations currently implementing or recently completing a Commonwealth Foundation Grant that has not received its final payment are not eligible.
• The project should begin between August 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025.

Application Process:
Interested organizations must submit an online application via SurveyMonkey Apply, along with the following documents:

• A logic model using the provided template.
• A copy of the organization’s registration certificate.
• Most recent audited accounts or annual financial statements, depending on the grant amount requested.
• Organizations in India must comply with the Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA).

For more details and to apply, visit the Commonwealth Foundation’s official Grants Programme page.

This is a fantastic opportunity for civil society organizations to receive funding and support for projects that foster constructive dialogue between governments and communities. By applying, you can help shape the policies that impact people’s lives, advance human rights, and address pressing global issues such as health, climate justice, and freedom of expression.