Before diving into your application, it’s important to make sure your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
The Commonwealth Foundation only considers applications that fit the criteria, so taking a moment to double-check could save you time.
Who Can Apply
This grant is designed for not-for-profit civil society organisations (CSOs).
To qualify, your organisation must be officially registered in one of the Commonwealth Foundation’s eligible member states.
Experience Matters
Your organisation should have at least three years of proven work in areas like participatory governance and advocacy.
This means your team needs to demonstrate a track record of engaging communities, amplifying voices, and influencing decision-making.
If your organisation has been operating for less than three years, unfortunately, you won’t be eligible for this round.
Restrictions for Current Grantees
If your organisation is already running a Commonwealth Foundation project or has just finished one but hasn’t yet received the final payment, you’ll need to sit this round out.
The Foundation wants to ensure fair access to new applicants.
The Type of Projects We’re Looking For
The focus is on projects that create meaningful change through dialogue and collaboration.
Specifically, your proposal should show how civil society will engage with policymakers and play an active role in shaping policy and decision-making.
The project must fall within the Foundation’s priority themes.
Project Timeline
Timing is crucial. Your project should be set to start anytime between 1 August 2026 and the end of September 2026.
Anything outside this window won’t be considered.
How to Check Your Eligibility
Not sure if your organisation fits the bill? The Commonwealth Foundation provides an eligible countries map and an eligibility quiz to guide you.
It’s a quick way to confirm if you’re good to go before submitting your proposal.
What’s Next?
Once you’ve reviewed the criteria and confirmed eligibility, you’ll be ready to move forward with your application.
