Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call 2026-2027: Civil Society & Creative Advocacy Funding

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

People Also Checked: King's College London Chevening Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded UK Master's and PhD (Fully Funded)

Overview

The Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call 2026-2027 provides funding to civil society organisations and creative actors across the Commonwealth to advance meaningful social, cultural, and political change. This year’s call introduces a new Collective Action Grants stream alongside the established Individual Organisation Grants, expanding opportunities for networks, coalitions, and alliances.

The Foundation supports projects that seek change through constructive engagement with governments and decision-makers, or through creative advocacy—the intentional use of creative practices to influence public discourse, policy, behaviours, or decision-making.

People Also Checked: University of Strathclyde Fully Funded PhD Positions 2026: 12 Research Programs in Scotland (Fully Funded)

Funding Streams

Individual Organisation Grants

For eligible not-for-profit civil society organisations, including creative organisations, delivering standalone projects:

• Grant amount: £15,000 to £30,000 per year
• Duration: Up to two years
• Total maximum: £60,000 over two years

Collective Action Grants

For eligible networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms, and creative collectives working together to strengthen participation and collective action:

People Also Checked: Jack Hirst Scholarship 2027: Full Funding for Nigerian Chemistry Master's Students at Imperial College London (Fully Funded)

• Grant amount: £15,000 to £20,000 per year
• Duration: Up to two years
• Total maximum: £40,000 over two years

Funding Priorities

Applications must address one or more of three strategic impact areas:

Climate and Environmental Justice

Projects addressing root causes of climate injustice, promoting participation of affected communities in climate policy, supporting just energy transitions, promoting indigenous knowledge, and ensuring accountability for environmental harms.

Economic Inclusion

Projects reducing socio-economic inequalities, strengthening labour rights, promoting participation of women and youth in economic decision-making, advancing sustainable livelihoods, and supporting creative industries for economic growth.

Freedom of Expression

Projects protecting freedom of expression, association, and access to information; promoting digital rights; reducing online violence against women and youth; and ensuring public decision-making is based on credible information.

Cross-Cutting Priorities

All applications must demonstrate integration of:

• Gender and intersectionality: Consideration of how overlapping inequalities affect participation and outcomes
• Small states: Applications from Commonwealth small states are strongly encouraged
• Youth participation: Meaningful involvement of young people in leadership roles is welcomed

Eligibility Requirements

For Individual Organisation Grants

• Not-for-profit civil society or creative organisation registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country
• Minimum three years registered and operating
• Minimum three years’ relevant experience in constructive engagement or creative advocacy
• Significant experience working in target communities
• Average annual income under £2.5 million over past two years
• Requested grant not exceeding 70% of average annual income
• Not currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant or awaiting final payment

For Collective Action Grants

• Not-for-profit network, coalition, alliance, or platform of civil society actors, including creative collectives
• If unregistered, a registered member organisation must act as lead applicant
• Minimum three years’ relevant experience
• Same income and grant percentage limits as Individual Organisation Grants

Eligible Countries (Africa)

Botswana, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia.

Note: Zimbabwe is not currently listed as eligible. The Foundation’s arrears policy restricts eligibility to member countries in good financial standing.

Project Requirements

• Must be implemented at minimum in the applicant’s country of registration
• May include additional eligible Commonwealth countries with strong local participation
• Expected start date: Between 1 August 2027 and 30 September 2027
• Must advance at least one strategic impact area

What the Foundation Will Not Fund

• Exchanges between developed countries
• Activities solely targeting government official capacity building
• Service delivery projects (medicine distribution, construction, water pumps)
• Creative projects without social or political change aims
• Activities promoting hatred, discrimination, or violence
• Electioneering or partisan political communications
• Activities generating private profit without clear public interest

Application Process

1. Check eligibility: Complete the online eligibility quiz and verify your country is eligible
2. Register with SurveyMonkey Apply: Create an account at the Foundation’s application portal
3. Complete online application: Submit through the platform; email or postal applications are not accepted
4. Submit required documents: Include all mandatory supporting documentation
5. Confirm submission: Click the submit button and await confirmation email

Required Documents

• Completed online application form
• Logic model (using Foundation template)
• Clear copy of registration certificate (and not-for-profit evidence if not stated)
• Document listing board members/trustees with roles and contact details
• Financial accounts (see specific requirements below)
• For Collective Action Grants: collective structure, governance, and full member list
• For creative applicants: portfolio of previous/current work (max 6 images, 5 min video/audio, or 5 pages writing)

Financial Documentation

• Grants of exactly £15,000/year: Latest audited accounts OR most recent annual accounts (signed, not older than December 2024)
• Grants exceeding £15,000/year: Most recent audited accounts with external auditor’s opinion (signed, not older than December 2024)

Indian applicants must comply with Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) or demonstrate preparations to obtain registration.

Key Dates

• Applications open: 12pm GMT, 23 September 2026
• Applications close: 1pm GMT, 26 October 2026
• Shortlisting notification: By end of February 2027
• Final decisions: By end of June 2027
• Project implementation begins: August-September 2027

Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed against:

• Meeting all eligibility criteria
• Track record of advocacy work
• Clear problem description and proposed solution
• Evidence of beneficiary consultation
• Timeliness, relevance, and feasibility of approach
• Organisational capacity to complete the project
• Commitment to gender equality

Monitoring and Reporting

Successful applicants develop a monitoring plan using Results Based Management and Outcome Harvesting methodologies. Reporting requirements:

• One-year projects: End-of-project narrative and financial report
• Two-year projects: Annual report with financial report, plus end-of-project narrative and financial report

Capacity Strengthening

Shortlisted Individual Organisation Grant applicants may propose capacity strengthening initiatives at up to 5% of the grant amount. Collective Action Grant applicants may also suggest capacity strengthening for collective action work. These proposals are submitted at the shortlisting stage, not in the initial application.

Official scholarship page: https://commonwealthfoundation.com/grants/annual/

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships