Deadline: 30-Nov-23

Civil society organisations around the world are invited to apply for grants of up to US$ 200,000 for 2-year projects that increase civic space, empower the civil societypromote human rights and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.

LIMITED PLACES!

Register now for our webinar on understanding donor and investor scenarios!

Tuesday, 14th November 2023 | 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM GMTRESERVE YOUR PLACE

The vast majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organisations - both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratisation. In this way, UNDEF plays a new and unique role in complementing the UN's other more traditional work - working with governments - to strengthen democratic governance around the world.

UNDEF Projects and Priority Areas

• This year, UNDEF particularly welcomes projects that promote civic engagement for climate action.
• UNDEF always encourages proposals that promote gender equality and empowerment of young people.
• Remember that UNDEF funds projects, not organisations. Your project proposal should be reasonably innovative and distinct from the activity you already carry out.
• They encourage proposals to include innovative methods, practical tools and creative approaches, rather than traditional capacity-building measures.
• Proposals are subjected to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, with less than two per cent chosen for funding.

Themes and audiences

• The projects fall under one or more of the six main themes:
  • Rule of law and human rights
  • Media and freedom of information
  • Woman Leadership
  • Engaging young people
  • Strengthening the interaction between civil society and public authorities
  • Electoral processes (elections scheduled for mid-2025 at the earliest)
• And in one or more of the following constituencies at risk of being left behind:
  • Woman
  • Youth
  • Journalists and media organisations
  • Minorities: ethnic, religious and other groups at risk of being left behind
  • People with disabilities
  • Civil society actors and community of practice

Information on financing

• In principle, UNDEF grants will be awarded to projects with a default duration of two years. However, it is acceptable to UNDEF if a successful applicant completes a project in less than two years. Grants will not necessarily correspond to the total amounts requested. Applicants must request an amount within a range of 100,000 USD and 200,000 USD for any proposal.
• Once the implementation period is over, the beneficiaries will have to return the unspent funds to UNDEF.

Priority Countries and Regional Balance

• Strong preference will be given to candidates from countries and regions where the challenges of the democracy are more critical, such as emerging conflicts, new and restored democracies, Least Developed Countries (according to the official UNOHRLLS classification), Low Income Countries ("Low Income Economies", according to the official World Bank classification based on Gross National Income per capita) and Middle Income Countries ("Lower and Middle Income Economies", idem).
• UNDEF aspires to a satisfactory regional balance when awarding grants and will analyse each individual proposal on its own merits.

Eligibility Criteria

• Local and Global/Regional Projects
  • UNDEF will invite proposals for projects that take place in only one country (local) or take place in several specific states within a region or sub-region (regional) or that intend to operate at a global level (global). The UNDEF will reserve at least 80% of its programmable resources in each funding round for projects taking place in one country and will not allocate more than 20% to global/regional projects.
• Types of candidates
  • UNDEF finances projects implemented by non-UN organisations, non-individuals, profit-making entities or governmental entities. Eligible applicants must be duly constituted at national or international level and have legal status.
  • At the project proposal stage, you will be asked to indicate the type of organisation applying for funding:
    • Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations engaged in democracy promotion
    • Independent and Constitutional Bodies,
    • Global and regional intergovernmental bodies, organisations and associations other than the United Nations
  • UNDEF prioritises Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations. The organisation must be legally constituted.

For more information, visit UNDEF.