UNDEF

27 Nov
by sofia
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12th UNDEF Project Grant: Inviting Civil Society Organizations for Funding Projects to Advance & Support Democracy

https://www.un.org/democracyfund/apply-funding

 

Countries: Proposals from all countries as well as regional and global initiatives will be considered. However, strong preference will be given to applicants from countries and regions that are in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization, in particular countries emerging from conflict, new and restored democracies, least developed countries and low or middle income countries.

Application language: English or French

Deadline: 20 December 2017

Grant size: Minimum of US $100,000 and maximum of US $300,000 (the majority of projects are granted no more than $250,000). UNDEF projects have a duration of two years.

 

DESCRIPTION

The United Nations Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for funding for projects to advance and support democracy during the annual proposal window. 

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 eight main areas:      

  • Gender equality 
  • Community activism 
  • Rule of law and human rights 
  • Youth engagement 
  • Strengthening civil society interaction with Government 
  • Media and freedom of information 
  • Tools for knowledge 
  • Electoral processes 

In this Round, UNDEF particularly welcomes proposals in the areas of gender; rule of law; media; or electoral processes focusing on elections scheduled for 2020 at the earliest. 

 

ELIGIBILITY

Local and Global/Regional Projects

  • UNDEF will invite proposals for projects that either take place in one country only (local), or occur in several specified states of a region or sub-region (regional) or intend to operate at the global level (global).
  • UNDEF will reserve at least 80% of its programmable resources in each funding round for projects taking place in one country and will allocate no more than 20% to global/regional projects.

Eligible Beneficiaries

  • UNDEF funds projects implemented by non UN organizations, not individuals, profit-making or government entities. Eligible applicants must be duly constituted nationally or internationally and have legal status.
  • At the project proposal stage, you will be required to indicate the type of organization applying for funding:
    • Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations engaged in promoting democracy
    • Independent and Constitutional Bodies,
    • Global and Regional inter-government bodies, organizations and associations other than the United Nations

UNDEF’s priority is Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations. The organization must be legally constituted. UN accreditation is not a prerequisite to apply for UNDEF funding. UNDEF encourages local CSO’s to submit high quality project proposals.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants must apply online via given website.

The on-line project proposal system can be accessed at the UNDEF website at www.un.org/democracyfund, only during the annual window. Please read the following documents: project proposal guidelines, lessons learned for applicants, frequently asked questions, blank project proposal form, and summaries of existing projects. The on-line proposal form is fairly short and simple, as you are not expected at this stage to draft a full project document.