Call for Grant Proposals: Advancing Civic Freedoms and Strengthening Participation – Apply Before 23 February 2026

This is a request for proposals from eligible civil society organisations for small grants of up to USD $30,000. These grants aim to support initiatives that advance civic freedoms and strengthen civic participation, particularly in relation to the implementation of the Public Benefit Organisations (PBO) Act in Kenya.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 23 February 2026, or until funds are depleted. All funded activities must be completed by 30 November 2026.

Background and Context

Across Africa, civic space continues to face pressure due to restrictive legislation and security-driven regulatory frameworks. However, emerging reforms also present opportunities to enhance civil society engagement in governance and socio-economic development.

In Kenya, the operationalization of the PBO Act presents a critical opportunity to improve the enabling environment and financial sustainability of civil society. If implemented in a rights-respecting manner, the Act could serve as a model for the continent. At the same time, efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight in line with Financial Action Task Force standards require careful monitoring to ensure that counterterrorism and anti-money laundering measures do not inadvertently restrict civic participation.

In this context, ICNL seeks to support locally led, forward-looking initiatives that promote positive implementation of the PBO Act and strengthen civil society’s ability to exercise civic freedoms and participate meaningfully in national and county-level processes.

Grant Objectives

Proposed projects should align with one or more of the following objectives:

• Monitor implementation of the PBO Act and related regulations, and engage in evidence-based advocacy at county, national, or regional levels.
• Respond to restrictive implementation practices or instances of legal harassment affecting civil society.
• Strengthen civil society engagement with state actors to promote civic space and inclusive participation.

Prioritizing initiatives that:

• Demonstrate innovation and forward-thinking approaches.
• Advance the rights and interests of women and young people.
• Integrate digital technology where appropriate.
• Show potential for sustainability beyond the grant period.

Illustrative Activities

Applicants may propose a range of relevant activities, including but not limited to:

• Monitoring, documenting, and responding to both positive and restrictive implementation of the PBO Act.
• Advocating for rights-respecting implementation through dialogue, policy engagement, or public campaigns.
• Engaging state institutions in the finalization and implementation of PBO Act regulations.
• Training CSOs on compliance and operational requirements under the Act.
• Developing toolkits, multimedia materials, and public awareness campaigns.
• Facilitating peer learning workshops, exchanges, or communities of practice, including targeted initiatives for women-led organisations or youth groups.

Eligibility

The call is open to:

• Non-profit organizations based in Kenya, including:
  • Civil society organizations (CSOs)
  • Community-based organizations (CBOs)
  • Women’s rights organizations
  • Youth-led groups
  • Digital rights defenders

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents in English:

• A proposal (maximum five pages).
• A line-item budget (maximum USD $30,000) using the provided template.
  • Budgets must include the cost of a mandatory project-specific audit.
• CVs of staff engaged in the project.
• Background information about the organisation (e.g., website or organisational profile).

Proposal Content

The proposal (maximum five pages) should clearly address:

• The civic space challenge or opportunity being addressed and its relevance to the PBO Act.
• Project objectives, activities, and anticipated outcomes.
• How the initiative will strengthen civic freedoms, enabling environment reform, or civil society resilience.
• Sustainability plans beyond the grant period.
• Organizational experience and relevant partnerships.
• A detailed activity plan and timeline (all activities must conclude by 30 November 2026).
• Indicators or methods for measuring progress and impact.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Compliance with eligibility and submission requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving civic space.
• Quality, feasibility, and clarity of the proposed methodology.
• Likelihood of meaningful impact on civic freedoms and participation.
• Innovation, digital integration, and sustainability.
• Budget justification and value for money.
• Inclusion of realistic and measurable success indicators.

This grant opportunity represents a strategic investment in strengthening Kenya’s civic space, promoting accountable governance, and enhancing inclusive participation through effective implementation of the PBO Act.

 A ready-to-use package to strengthen your proposal, improve compliance, and adapt content to local context. Includes planning/compliance tools, Kobo-ready data collection files, analysis and reporting templates, and a validation workshop presentation. 

To request a support: https://srd.edu.jo/doc-shop/product/pspack26e

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the funding. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.