Commonwealth Foundation- Open Grants Call

Commonwealth Foundation- Open Grants Call

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Commonwealth Foundation
Amount: £15,000 - £30,000
Last Updated: September 19, 2025

Summary

The Commonwealth Foundation's Open Grants Call invites proposals from registered not-for-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) in eligible Commonwealth member countries. This initiative supports projects that engage civil society in governance, focusing on three priority themes: Health Justice, Freedom of Expression, and Climate Justice. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches that integrate gender considerations and promote partnerships, particularly involving young people and small, vulnerable states. Grants range from £15,000 to £30,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

Overview

About Us The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organization established by Heads of Government in support of the belief that the Commonwealth is as much an association of peoples as it is of governments. It is the Commonwealth agency for civil society; a unique, stand-alone organization established by, funded by, and reporting to governments. The Foundation is dedicated to strengthening people’s participation in all aspects of public dialogue, to act together and learn from each other to build democratic societies. Ultimately, the Foundation seeks to ensure that policy and government institutions are more effective contributors to development through the influence of civic voices. Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme As one of the three intergovernmental pillars of the Commonwealth, the Foundation operates within that critical space between government and the people. The Foundation works to bring the voice of civil society into all aspects of governance, supporting civil society engagement in shaping the policies and decisions that affect people’s lives. The Foundation’s Strategic Plan 2021-2026 is strongly linked to the Commonwealth Charter and its values and aspirations, and it identifies three thematic areas of focus. Civil society projects that aim to advance these themes will be supported through this open grants call. Focus Areas Applications must address one or more of our three priority themes and other funding considerations such as partnerships and exclusions. Suggested areas of focus under each theme and other important funding considerations are set out below: Health Justice Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on:Universal health coverageRealising the right to health: better availability, accessibility, quality, participation and accountability in health services and deliveryProgrammes and policies that focus on social determinants of health as part of the inclusive right to healthChallenging systemic discrimination in health systems and promoting equitable access to health services for marginalised groups and those with special needsPromoting the participation of marginalised groups and those with special needs in decision-making processesPromoting health and well-being by combating communicable and non-communicable diseasesEquitable access to essential medicines Freedom of Expression Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on: Advancing a legal and regulatory environment that protects and upholds freedom of expression for all. Advancing a legal and regulatory environment that promotes the freedom, growth, and vibrancy of civil society. Promoting access to information and transparency in governance, including through a free and independent press, robust freedom of information laws and their practical application. Advancing civil society engagement in national, regional and/or international mechanisms and processes to promote freedom of expression (e.g., national human rights institutions; Universal Periodic Reviews). Promoting art and creativity as means of advocating for and raising awareness of freedom of expression. Climate Justice Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on:Ensuring representation, inclusion, and protecting the rights of those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Addressing the social, political, and economic root causes of climate injustice. Strengthening the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis in multilateral and national spaces.  Ensuring that the voice, agency, and leadership of young women and men are at the centre of policy discussions and decision-making at all levels. Advocating for corrective justice for environmental harm, including compensation mechanisms, access to justice and effective remedy, and legal empowerment. Ensuring accountability and effective remedy for human rights harms caused by climate change.  Developing, reviewing, improving, and monitoring laws, policies and practices promoting climate justice.  Exposing and addressing the factors that contribute to the increased vulnerability of social groups to the consequences of climate change. Exposing and addressing negative social and distributional outcomes of climate change mitigation policies and/or encourage support for the development of pro-poor mitigation approaches. (iii) Freedom of expression Other important funding considerations The Foundation’s three themes overlap and connect in myriad ways. For example, freedom of expression and protection of the free flow of information are critical to ensuring meaningful progress on health justice and climate justice. Applicants are encouraged to explore the intersections between our three themes when developing their proposals and, where appropriate, to consider addressing more than one. For example, a project could focus on using freedom of information legislation to ensure access to reliable information on the state of the environment or to promote government accountability in relation to climate laws and policies. Another project might focus on the links between climate change and health and how these can be addressed at the national level in ways that make a difference to vulnerable groups. Gender We recognize that social structures and systems are shaped by gendered power dynamics that often reflect and perpetuate inequality and discrimination. We ask all applicants to demonstrate an understanding of how gender operates within their chosen theme/s and show how they will integrate that understanding into their project. Partnerships The Foundation understands our limits to fund worthwhile initiatives and we encourage applicants to carefully consider how they can leverage partnerships to further enhance their work. Participation of young people Young people are central to the Foundation’s mission and vision. Applications are encouraged from CSOs working to support and advance the involvement of young people in their own governance, as well as from CSOs that include young people in their structure. Small and vulnerable member states The Commonwealth is a champion of small states and carries a special duty to support and advocate for the interests of small and vulnerable states. Applications from eligible small and vulnerable states are strongly encouraged. Capacity Strengthening This call is for specific project proposals. It means that the budget which is submitted must relate to the costs that will be incurred in implementing the proposed project. The Foundation does appreciate the importance of strengthening organisational capacity. Those applicants whose projects are shortlisted will therefore be invited to propose capacity-strengthening initiatives as part of their project’s budget, at up to 5% of the grant amount requested. These funds can be used to cover organisational needs that are distinct from the project, but that help to enhance broader organisational effectiveness.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligibility for grant funding under this call depends on the following criteria:The applicant is a registered not-for-profit civil society organization (CSO).The applicant is registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country and the proposed project will be implemented in the country of registration.Projects can be implemented in one or more eligible Commonwealth Foundation member countries can have a national, sub-national, regional or international remit).In multi-country projects, the Foundation encourages collaboration with partners in each involved country.The applicant has documented experience, over at least two years, working on participatory governance and advocacy within the proposed area/theme(s).The total grant amount requested must be between £15,000 and £30,000 per year for a maximum of two years.The requested grant amount should not exceed 70% of the applicant organization's total annual income.The average of the applicant organization's total annual income over the past two years must be less than £2m.Provided the average annual income of the applicant organization is less than £2 million, the income of a nominated partner is not relevant. The project proposal must address at least one of the priority themes and demonstrate appropriate and meaningful integration of gender considerations.The Foundation funds projects. This means that your budget should relate to the costs that will be incurred in implementing the proposed project.Note that the eligibility criteria set out above apply to the applicant organization and not to any partners they are proposing to work with. The Foundation appreciates that CSOs interested in applying for a grant may already be doing significant work that falls within the parameters of this grants call and that would benefit from support for its expansion and/or continuation. We are therefore happy to consider supporting initiatives that are not ‘new’ but an additional component or extension of an existing initiative. Two or more organizations can submit an application for funding. However, one organization must be nominated as the applicant organization and the other(s) must be identified as partner(s). The applicant organization will conclude the grant agreement with the Commonwealth Foundation and will accrue rights and responsibilities under that agreement.Previous grantees may apply for a grant under this call.

Ineligibility

The Commonwealth Foundation will not fund:Attendance at training courses, workshops, and conferences unless as part of a larger project funded by the grant.Academic study or research unless as part of a larger project funded by the grant.Publication of books and films, unless they are part of a larger project applied for under the grant(note that this provision does not apply to a creative element of any grant, as detailed below).Exchanges between developed countries.Activities that are solely targeted at building the capacity of government officials and/or the private sector. If the project requires activities such as training of government officials, funding for such components should be separately sourced.Projects that focus on service delivery (e.g., the Foundation will not fund activities such as the distribution of medicines).If an organization is currently a grants partner with the Foundation, they are ineligible to apply unless the project has come to an end (including all project reports submitted and approved) by the time of submission.