The Commonwealth Foundation has opened its 2025–2026 grant call, inviting eligible civil society organisations (CSOs) to apply for funding of up to £60,000 per project.
This funding aims to strengthen constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, with a focus on policy development, implementation, and inclusive governance. All proposals must address at least one of the Foundation’s three priority themes and integrate gender considerations in both design and implementation.
Grant details
Maximum grant amount: £60,000
Application deadline: 23 October 2025 at 13:00 BST
Project start window: Between 1 August and 30 September 2026
Funding priorities
Projects must focus on one or more of the following themes:
1. Health Justice
Universal health coverage
Equitable access for marginalised groups
Social determinants of health
Rights-based approaches to health
Access to essential medicines
Participation in health decision-making
2. Freedom of Expression
Legal protection for free expression
Vibrant civil society and independent media
Access to information and transparency
Use of art and creativity for advocacy
Civil society participation in regional/global mechanisms
3. Climate Justice
Representation of vulnerable groups
Social and economic root causes of climate injustice
Corrective justice and legal remedies
Inclusion of youth and marginalised communities in decision-making
Gender and equity in climate policy
Applicants are encouraged to explore intersections between themes and propose multi-thematic projects where appropriate.
Cross-cutting priorities
Gender: Required integration into project design, with specific analysis of power dynamics and intersectionality.
Youth: Participation of youth-led or youth-focused organisations is strongly encouraged.
Small and vulnerable states: Applications from these countries will receive additional consideration.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must:
Be a not-for-profit CSO registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation Member State (see Africa list below)
Have at least three years of demonstrable experience in participatory governance and advocacy
Propose a project that facilitates constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers
Submit all required documents as specified in the guidelines
Projects must not focus solely on:
Service delivery
Capacity-building of government or private sector
Academic research, book/film publishing, or exchange programmes between developed countries
Eligible African countries
Botswana, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Kingdom of Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania
Partnerships
Partnerships are welcomed but not required. Only the lead applicant must meet the eligibility criteria. Partners may include informal groups, artists, or unregistered collectives. Registered partner organisations must provide their registration documents.
Creativity and art for change
Projects using creative advocacy or artistic expression to influence policy are encouraged under any theme.
For more information check the Commonwealth Foundation website.
Your funding experts
InterArts Funding offers its expertise to assist you in applying for grant opportunities (including this one), leveraging our extensive experience to enhance your chances of securing the grant. It is important to clarify that InterArts Funding is an independent entity and is not affiliated with any specific funding organisation. While we have a commendable track record of success, we cannot guarantee the approval of your application. Grant outcomes depend on various factors beyond our control.