The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is partnering with HIVOS and Oxfam on methods to effectively empower and give voice to marginalized and discriminated people in low- and lower-middle income countries of Africa and Asia. The thematic areas include one for improved governance and access to productive resources (e.g., land and water) and employment. The priority countries are Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Tanzania, and Uganda. Voice hopes to stimulate learning about the most successful methods of building community empowerment. Applications are invited from legally registered nonprofit civil society organizations and community groups. The applicant (or a consortium member) must be based in Africa or Asia, and operate in one or more of the focus countries. Grants range from €25 thousand to €500 thousand for up to three years. The application deadline is 15 September 2017. Link
community projects
FRIDA — Climate and Environmental Justice for Women
FRIDA announces a special grant round for young feminist and young women-led groups focused on climate and environmental justice in targeted regions and countries. Grants of up to US$5 thousand for one year (renewable) will be made to groups founded or led by young women or trans youth (under 30 years) that are committed to advancing and defending women’s rights from a feminist perspective; working towards climate and/or environmental justice; and that meet other defined criteria. Eligibility extends to women’s groups formed in the past few years (2011-2017) in specified countries and territories of the Pacific Islands; Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; Latin America; and Georgia. The deadline for applications (English, Spanish) is 23 July 2017. Link
Human Development Innovation Fund — Grassroots Projects in Tanzania
The Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF) is funded by the UK government to create social impact in education, health and water, and sanitation and hygiene (WASH) across Tanzania. In Round 3, HDIF welcomes funding applications for pilot and scale-up projects between £500 thousand and £1 million for projects up to three years. Eligibility extends to non-state organizations such as for‐profit businesses; social enterprises; civil society organisations; public-private partnerships; NGOs; charities or societies; faith‐based organizations; community‐based organizations; academic institutions; and research institutes involved in solutions to improve services for the poor. Lead applicants should have proof of registration in Tanzania. The application deadline is 08 September 2017. Link
European Commission — Transboundary Conservation Areas in Africa
The EC will make grants to support livelihoods development and benefit sharing for communities living in or near transboundary conservation areas in order to promote ecosystem management and wildlife conservation. The geographical scope is eastern and southern Africa, and the Indian Ocean. Eligibility for grants extends to nonprofit organizations in the EU, the ACP countries, and various other country affiliations — as well as to international organizations. The participation of co-applicants is mandatory. Grants will range from €0.8 million to €1.2 million, varying with cost shares. The application deadline for concept notes is 27 July 2017. Link
Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Voice for the Marginalized
“Voice” is a new grant program financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and implemented by a consortium between Oxfam Novib and Hivos. Voice aims to support the most marginalized and discriminated people in ten low- and lower-middle income countries of Africa and Asia. The program operates through five target groups and four grant types, explained on the website. Grants may address practically any development issue of importance to the most marginal members of a community. This may include (for example) problems of access to natural resources by indigenous groups, disadvantaged women, etc. Voice currently calls for proposals focusing on Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, and Tanzania. The timing of when applications are reviewed depends on the grant type and country (check carefully). However, proposals for most grants are accepted continuously through the end of 2017 or 2019. Link
Global Affairs Canada — Climate and Agriculture in Senegal
The “Program of Development and Adaptation to Climate Change of Irrigated Crops in Senegal” calls for proposals. The program aims to improve the socio‑economic well-being and resilience of farming households, with a particular emphasis on women and young people. Applications are invited from experienced and qualified Canadian organizations and consortia that may include Canadian with non-Canadian organizations. Preference will be given to projects in partnership with one or more Senegalese organizations. Grants are CAD$13 million to CAD$18 million for projects of five years. The deadline for applications (English, French) is 31 August 2017. Link
U.S. Department of State — Environmental Funding for Pacific Islands
The U.S. Department of State announces environmental awards up to US$25 thousand to support local and regional small-scale environmental projects in eligible countries of the Pacific Islands region. Subject areas are agriculture and fisheries; sustainable economic development; adaptation to changing environmental conditions, e.g., coastal management; waste management, including marine litter; air quality; biodiversity and healthy ecosystems; marine protected areas; environment or health-related education; capacity building for scientific research on environmental issues; and deployment of new technology for application to environmental issues. Projects may propose activities in Fiji; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Nauru; Palau; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; or Vanuatu. Applications are invited from NGOs; public international organizations; institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations and businesses. Funding Opportunity 2017-EAP-SUVAREO. The application deadline is 15 July 2017. Link
Phoenix Zoo — Funding for Wildlife Conservation and Science
The Phoenix Zoo (Arizona, USA) makes small grants to support wildlife conservation and science worldwide. Grants are limited to US$3 thousand for one year. Priority is for practical projects that help build capacity, and that involve local communities. The application period for preproposals is 01 August through 01 October each year. Link
Wuppertal Institute — Projects and Knowledge Exchange in Sustainable Energy
WISIONS of Sustainability is an initiatives of the Wuppertal Institute to nurture innovative energy projects and to foster knowledge exchanges between practitioners. The supporting scheme SEPS (Sustainable Energy Project Support) has launched its first call for proposals in 2017 to focus on projects and knowledge exchanges for the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Southern and Southeast Asia. The deadline for applications is 23 June 2017. Link
U.S. Agency for International Development — Management of Indigenous Lands in Brazil
USAID announces funding to support territorial and environmental management of indigenous lands in selected areas of Maranhao, Rondonia, and Roraima in Brazil’s Amazon region. The program aims to enhance biodiversity conservation, and to strengthen Brazil’s national policy for land and environmental management on indigenous lands. USAID welcomes applications from many different types of organizations, U.S. and non-U.S., public and private, either in consortia or individually. USAID aims to make up to four awards. Funding Opportunity APS-512-17-000002. The application deadline is 17 November 2017. Link