£723,000 granted to support innovative projects globally

A new call for grant applications will be launched on 1 October. Grants totalling £723,000 have been awarded so far this year to civil society across the Commonwealth to support innovation in the governance sector.

‘Successful applicants are showing how civil society is encouraging dialogue between citizens on development issues as well with institutions shaping people’s lives,’ said Commonwealth Director Vijay Krishnarayan. ‘The results of the projects will be fascinating to see as they progress.’ 

Launched in 2012, the Foundation’s new grants scheme supports organisations promoting effective, responsive and accountable governance within the Commonwealth.

Applicants come from a mix of sectors including agriculture, health, law and peace building and projects focus on active citizenship and the capacity of civil society to participate in decision-making processes.

‘Innovation, sustainability and knowledge management are key for successful grant applications,’ said Comfort Osilaja, Commonwealth Foundation Grants Manager. ‘Any proposal should be thoroughly informed by the local context.’

‘The projects show that participatory governance can be interpreted in all sorts of ways, for example, using radio as a tool for dialogue or connecting rural communities directly with policy makers,’ she said. 

Organisations are offered up to £30,000 per year for up to three years, for new projects delivered in Commonwealth Foundation member countries. All grant recipients will share project outputs via blogs, social media, as well as formal reporting processes. From Autumn 2013 there will be two calls per year and the next call will be announced in mid-September.

Grants have been awarded to projects in Bangladesh, Ghana, Grenada, India, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, St Lucia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kingdom of eSwatini and Tonga. See the awarded grants page on our website for more information about the projects.

More information about the grant application process together with supporting information will be available on the website from 1 October.