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Applications are open for the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme 2024. Under this call, the Foundation is looking to support projects that seek to facilitate constructive engagement between civil society and government, including civil society participation in policy development and decision making. Apply now!
Opportunity Details
Applications must address one or more of the three priority themes and other funding considerations such as partnerships and exclusions.
1. Health justice
Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on:
Examples of previous projects we’ve funded under this theme can be found here.
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list but rather a set of examples to demonstrate the range of possible areasof focus under this theme.
2. Freedom of expression
Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on:
Examples of previous projects we’ve funded under this theme can be found here.
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list but rather a set of examples to demonstrate the range of possible areasof focus under this theme.
3. Climate justice
Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on:
Examples of previous projects we’ve funded under this theme can be found here.
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list but rather a set of examples to demonstrate the range of possible areasof focus under this theme.
4. Other 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 as a cross-cutting theme
The Foundation’s commitment to supporting the constructive participation of citizens in their governance, and to nurturing the growth of vibrant and free civil societies is informed by a recognition that social structures and systems are not neutral. Rather, they operate in and are shaped by power dynamics that too often reflect and perpetuate inequality and discrimination. We understand that gender inequality is a major challenge to our vision of a Commonwealth of equal, just, and inclusive societies and are committed to integrating gender considerations across our work and the work we support. To that end, 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.
For example, a persuasive project proposal that seeks to promote free access to healthcare for workers in the informal sector would likely demonstrate an understanding of how gender affects access and what this means in terms of different needs and priorities. That same proposal would also likely demonstrate an understanding of how gender in this setting intersects with other forms of discrimination (e.g., how race or age impacts on the hurdles facing women workers seeking to access healthcare services) that are different from those faced by other female informal workers; and how that understanding informs the project.
Partnerships
The Foundation welcomes partnerships to enhance the scale, depth, and breadth of the proposed work. Only the lead applicant organisation, and not the partner(s), needs to satisfy the core eligibility criteria. Partners might be informal groups, social movements, individual artists or advocates whose contribution to the project will increase its impact. If any proposed partners are registered organisations in the country of implementation, their registration certificates should also be provided as part of the application.
Creativity for change
The Foundation believes art can create meaningful social change. This year we welcome applications from organisations that use art and creative advocacy to achieve policy change.
Participation of young people
While not a formal cross-cutting theme, young people are central to the Foundation’s mission and its vision for a future Commonwealth of equal, just, and inclusive societies. Applications are encouraged from youth-led organisations working on constructive engagement.
Small and vulnerable Member States
The Commonwealth Charter explicitly affirms the role of the Commonwealth as a champion of small states and a special duty on the Commonwealth to support and advocate for the interests of small states as well as those that are otherwise vulnerable. Applications from civil society organisations in small and vulnerable states that are members of the Foundation are strongly encouraged.
Note that applicants from small and vulnerable states whose projects are not selected under this open call may be contacted to discuss other potential funding opportunities.
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.
5. Exclusions
The Commonwealth Foundation will not fund:
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.
Learn everything you need to know about Commonwealth Scholarships here.
Before you apply, please check if you are eligible.
Only applications meeting the eligibility criteria will be considered.
The applicant must be a not-for-profit civil society organisation (CSO) registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation Member State.
The applicant organisation must have a minimum of three years’ demonstrable experience working on participatory governance and advocacy within the area/theme(s) of the proposed project. Organisations that have been registered and operating for less than three years are not eligible.
Applicant organisations that are currently implementing, or that have recently completed, a Commonwealth Foundation Grant but have not received their final payment, are not eligible to apply to this grant call.
The project must seek to facilitate change through constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, including civil society participation in policy development and decision-making, within one or more of the Foundation’s priority themes (see above).
Proposals must relate to projects that are expected to begin after the 1 August 2025 and before the end of September 2025.
To check your eligibility, please refer to the eligible countries map and complete the eligibility quiz on the website.
Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application guidance documents
Download the documentation you need to apply for this grants call
Apply for Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme