The Commonwealth Foundation is accepting proposals from civil society organisations (CSOs) for its 2026 grant cycle. The objectives of this grant are to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration between civil society actors and government decision-makers, particularly in the realms of policy development and implementation.
Priority Themes
Applicant projects should align with one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Health Justice
Initiatives may address:- Equitable access to essential medicines
- Universal health coverage
- Realising the right to health (availability, accessibility, quality, participation, accountability)
- Targeted strategies to reach marginalised groups
- Systemic discrimination in health systems
- The social determinants of health
- Freedom of Expression
Eligible projects might involve:- Advocacy through arts and creative expression
- Legal reforms or regulatory protection for freedom of expression
- Strengthening freedom of information mechanisms
- Supporting independent media and transparency in governance
- Facilitating civil society engagement with national and international human rights processes
- Climate Justice
Possible focus areas include:- Mitigating harmful impacts of climate policies on vulnerable communities
- Ensuring inclusion of marginalised voices in climate decision-making
- Addressing root social, economic, and political causes of climate inequities
- Promoting accountability, access to remedy, and environmental justice
- Empowering youth, especially young women and men, in climate advocacy
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicant organisations must:
- Be non-profit civil society bodies registered in a Commonwealth Foundation Member State
- Have at least three years of demonstrable experience in advocacy or participatory governance
- Not be currently executing, or awaiting final payment from, an existing Commonwealth Foundation grant
- Design a project that enables constructive engagement with decision-makers through one or more of the priority themes
- Plan for the project’s start date to fall between August and September 2026
Application Process
- Applications open at 1:00 PM BST on 16 September 2025
- The closing time is 1:00 PM BST on 23 October 2025
- Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the project will build bridges between civil society and government institutions
- Selected grantees may receive funding up to £60,000
For more information or to submit an application, visit the Commonwealth Foundation Grants portal.https://grants.commonwealthfoundation.com/prog/september_2025_annual_grants_call_/
