Commonwealth Foundation Grant 2026 to 2027

Applications are open for the Commonwealth Foundation Grant 2026 to 2027, a funding opportunity supporting civil society organisations, grassroots communities, creative organisations, networks, coalitions, alliances and collectives across eligible Commonwealth countries. The programme supports projects that aim to contribute to meaningful social, cultural and political change through constructive engagement with governments and other decision makers or through creative advocacy.

The 2026 to 2027 grant call introduces two funding streams. The Individual Organisation Grant supports eligible not for profit civil society and creative organisations delivering standalone projects, while the Collective Action Grant supports networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms and creative collectives working together to strengthen participation and collective action.

Projects must address at least one of the Commonwealth Foundation’s three strategic impact areas: climate and environmental justice, economic inclusion, or freedom of expression. Applicants must also demonstrate how gender and intersectionality have been considered in project design and implementation. Projects are expected to begin between August 1 and September 30, 2027.

About the Commonwealth Foundation Grant

The Commonwealth Foundation is expanding its grants programme under its new strategic plan to create additional opportunities for civil society networks and collective action, while continuing support for individual civil society and creative organisations.

The programme is designed for organisations with experience in advocacy, civic participation, community engagement, constructive engagement with decision makers, or creative practices that influence public discussion, policy, behaviour or decision making.

Individual Organisation Grants provide between £15,000 and £30,000 per year for a maximum of two years. Collective Action Grants provide between £15,000 and £20,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

The Foundation encourages projects that meaningfully involve young people and welcomes applications from organisations in Commonwealth small states. Creative organisations may use creative advocacy as a central approach to advancing social, cultural or political change.

Grant Benefits

• Individual Organisation Grants of £15,000 to £30,000 per year

• Collective Action Grants of £15,000 to £20,000 per year

• Funding for projects lasting up to two years

• Support for civil society advocacy and constructive engagement

• Support for creative advocacy and creative organisations

• Opportunities for networks, coalitions, alliances and collectives

• Support for projects addressing climate and environmental justice

• Support for projects promoting economic inclusion

• Support for projects advancing freedom of expression

• Opportunities to strengthen youth participation and leadership

Programme Areas

Climate and Environmental Justice

Projects may address climate and environmental injustice, participation in climate decision making, environmental policies, clean energy transitions, Indigenous and local knowledge, environmental accountability and access to justice.

Economic Inclusion

Projects may focus on reducing socioeconomic inequality, strengthening labour rights, promoting participation by women and young people, sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, decent employment, health and wellbeing, creative industries and youth led economic initiatives.

Freedom of Expression

Projects may promote freedom of expression, association and assembly, access to information, independent media, transparency, digital rights, civic participation, open dialogue and protection from online violence.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be not for profit civil society or creative organisations registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation member country for the Individual Organisation Grant.

• Collective Action Grant applicants must be eligible not for profit networks, coalitions, alliances, platforms, community based organisations, groups, creative actors or creative collectives.

• An unregistered collective must have an eligible registered member organisation act as the lead applicant.

• Individual applicants must have been registered and operating for at least three years.

• Applicants must have at least three years of relevant experience connected to the proposed project and strategic impact areas.

• Applicants should have significant experience working with the communities where the project will take place.

• The project must be implemented at minimum in the applicant’s country of registration.

• Multi country projects must demonstrate strong local participation in each country.

• Average annual income over the previous two years must be below £2.5 million.

• The requested grant must not exceed 70 percent of the applicant’s average annual income over the previous two years.

• Applicants currently implementing a Commonwealth Foundation grant, or awaiting final payment from a recently completed grant, are not eligible.

• Projects must advance at least one of the three strategic impact areas.

• Projects must demonstrate how gender and intersectionality will be integrated throughout implementation.

• Projects must be expected to begin between August 1 and September 30, 2027.

Eligible Countries

Eligible countries include:

• Ghana

• Kenya

• The Gambia

• Botswana

• Eswatini

• Lesotho

• Mauritius

• Mozambique

• Namibia

• Rwanda

• Seychelles

• Sierra Leone

• South Africa

• Uganda

• Zambia

• Bangladesh

• Brunei Darussalam

• India

• Malaysia

• Maldives

• Pakistan

• Sri Lanka

• Cyprus

• Malta

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Bahamas

• Barbados

• Belize

• Grenada

• Guyana

• Jamaica

• St Kitts and Nevis

• St Lucia

• Kiribati

• Papua New Guinea

• Samoa

• Solomon Islands

• Vanuatu

Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom may participate as partners but organisations registered in these countries cannot apply as lead applicants under this call.

Required Application Materials

• Completed online application form

• Project logic model using the Foundation’s template

• Applicant or lead applicant registration certificate

• Evidence of not for profit status where this is not clear from the registration certificate

• Board or trustee information including names, roles, responsibilities and contact details

• Financial accounts according to the grant amount and Foundation requirements

• Collective structure, governance arrangements, secretariat information and current membership list for Collective Action Grant applicants

• Examples of previous or current creative work for creative applicants

• Certified translation of original organisational documents where required for shortlisted applicants.

How to Apply

1. Review the Commonwealth Foundation eligibility criteria and confirm that your organisation or collective is based in an eligible country.
2. Complete the Foundation’s eligibility quiz before beginning the application.
3. Register for an account on the Commonwealth Foundation’s online application platform.
4. Select the appropriate Individual Organisation Grant or Collective Action Grant stream.
5. Complete the online application form and prepare the required supporting documents.
6. Upload the logic model, registration documents, governance information, financial documents and any required creative work samples.
7. Review the complete application carefully and submit it through the online application system.
8. Ensure that the application has been successfully submitted and that you receive the submission acknowledgement.