United Nations Democracy Fund Grant 2016 (Funding Up to $300,000)

Posted by Opportunity Desk On November 21, 2016 0 Comment

Deadline: December 18, 2016

The United Nations Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for project funding. UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations. In this way, UNDEF plays a distinct role in complementing the UN’s other work – the work with Governments – to strengthen democratic governance around the world.

UNDEF invites project proposals covering one or more of seven main areas:

Women’s rights and empowerment / Gender equality;
Community activism;
Rule of law and human rights;
Youth engagement;
Strengthening civil society capacity for interaction with Government;
Media and freedom of information;
Tools for knowledge.

Grants

Applicants can request a grant of a minimum of 100,000 US dollars and a maximum of 300,000 US dollars per project.

Eligibility

The following institutions are eligible for UNDEF grant funding:

Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations, engaged in promoting democracy. These are anticipated to receive the bulk of the funding.
Independent and Constitutional Bodies, including Election Commissions, Ombudsman Institutions, National Human Rights Institutions and other independent governance bodies, for project proposals facilitating the inclusion of the voice of civil society.
Global and Regional inter-government bodies, organizations and associations other than the United Nations, for project proposals which strengthen the voice of civil society.

More detailed information on funding priorities and on how to submit project proposals is available in the UNDEF Project Proposal Guidelines.

UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations — both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization.

Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, with fewer than two per cent chosen for funding. Projects fall under one or more of seven main areas: