Call for Proposals: Empowering Civil Society Partners in SIDS and LDCs to Defend and Expand Civic Space

The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) is inviting proposals for the call “Empowering Civil Society Partners in SIDS and LDCs to Defend and Expand Civic Space”, offering grants of up to USD 20,000 for civil society organisations (CSOs) working in selected Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The call supports projects that strengthen an enabling environment for civic action by advancing legal and policy reforms, building civil society resilience, and engaging multilateral mechanisms to protect and expand civic space (freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, expression, and public participation). Projects may focus on a single eligible country or multiple eligible countries, with all activities to be completed by 1 October 2026. Applications are accepted by email until 28 February 2026 and may be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish.​

ICNL seeks initiatives led by local CSOs that address concrete challenges to civic space such as restrictive laws, regulatory barriers, or pressure on activists by promoting reforms, equipping civil society with tools and networks to navigate constraints, and using regional or international forums to highlight issues and drive change. Proposals must clearly articulate the local context, theory of change, activities, partners, target audiences (e.g. state institutions, multilateral bodies, communities), expected outputs (e.g. trainings, toolkits, advocacy campaigns), and anticipated impact on civic space. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong experience on civic space issues and the capacity to manage funds responsibly, report on progress, and deliver feasible activities within the grant period.​

Eligible countries

Applicants must be CSOs based in one of the following countries, and project activities must focus on one or more of these countries:​

• Africa: Angola, Cabo Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia
• Asia/Pacific: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu
• Latin America & Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Jamaica

Key dates

• Applications accepted: On a rolling basis up to 28 February 2026​
• Project end date: All activities must be completed by 1 October 2026​

Funding amounts

• Grant size: Up to USD 20,000 per project (line‑item budget not to exceed this amount)​

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Type of organisation: Civil society organisations (CSOs) including non-profit, non‑state, non‑partisan, non‑violent, self‑governing organisations; may be formally registered or informal associations with a defined structure and activities.​
• Location: CSOs based in one of the eligible SIDS/LDCs listed above, with activities implemented in one or more of those countries.​
• Focus: Strong track record or clear commitment in defending and expanding civic space (association, assembly, expression, public participation).​
• Compliance: Must follow application instructions and demonstrate capacity for responsible financial stewardship and impact.​

Thematic / activity focus

Projects should defend and expand civic space in eligible SIDS and LDCs through one or more of the following activity streams:​

• Advocacy for enabling reforms
  • Promoting adoption, revision, or implementation of laws, policies, and administrative measures that remove restrictions and facilitate civic freedoms and public participation.​
• Civil society resilience-building
  • Developing resources, training programmes, and networks that strengthen CSO capacity to understand and navigate legal, regulatory, and practical constraints; enhancing security, coordination, and effective engagement.​
• Multilateral engagement
  • Engaging regional or international mechanisms and processes (e.g. UN or regional human rights and governance forums) to promote open civic space in SIDS and LDCs and highlight country-specific or cross-country challenges.​

Proposals can focus on one country or multiple countries and are encouraged to combine advocacy, resilience, and multilateral engagement where relevant.​

Application requirements

Applicants must submit the following by email (in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish):​

• Proposal (maximum 5 pages) including:
  • Context and need related to civic space in the target country(ies)
  • Project objectives and anticipated impact
  • Detailed description of activities and how they contribute to objectives
  • Key partners (e.g. activists, CSOs, journalists, community groups, academics, lawyers)
  • Target actors to be influenced (e.g. ministries, regulators, law enforcement, courts, multilateral institutions, CSOs, public)
  • Expected outputs (meetings, trainings, reports, toolkits, media campaigns, policy proposals, etc.)
  • Timeline for implementation (ensuring completion by 1 October 2026)
• Line‑item budget up to USD 20,000​
• CVs / resumés of the key person(s) responsible for the project​

In the cover email, applicants should state:​

• Name of the organisation
• Country where the organisation is based
• Location(s) where project activities will take place
• Project point of contact (name, position, email, telephone)

Selection criteria include:​

• Eligibility and adherence to instructions
• Likelihood of impact on civic space in the target context
• Quality, clarity, and feasibility of activities and timeline
• Budget realism and value for money
• Relevant experience and expertise
• Capacity for responsible grant and project management

Grant recipients must submit progress reports and a final report on activities and outcomes before receiving the final disbursement.​

Contact details for the opportunity

• Primary contact person: Global Programs Team, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)​
• Email address of the primary contact person: global@icnl.org

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