The Open Society Foundations give out thousands of grants every year for organizations working in different countries on important topics. They form a global network of entities and programs committed to local knowledge and national expertise. The network includes national and regional foundations, as well as programs with regional or global reach, active in more than 120 countries.
The focus of the work is on promoting justice, transparency, and open debate. The foundations also engage in strategic human rights litigation and impact investing, while incubating new ideas and engaging directly with governments and policymakers through advocacy to advance positive change.
There are regular calls for applications for specific regions and specific topics. Currently, the Open Society Foundations have an open call for Eastern Africa within the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa.
What can be funded?
The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa wants to encourage an open, informed dialogue on issues of importance in Eastern Africa. They do not only fund projects, but also implement them themselves and have a strong focus on advocacy. OSIEA wants to support and amplify the voices of pro-democracy organizations and individuals in the region and to strengthen their capacity to hold their governments accountable. This includes efforts to defend and support rights activists and pro-democracy advocates who come under attack for their work.
OSIEA supports projects in the following programmatic areas:
- Democratic governance and rule of law
- Economic governance
- Health and rights
- Equality and non-discrimination
How to apply?
To apply, applicants need to fill out a concept note form that can be found for download on the website and summarize their project in under 500 words. The focus should be on the planned results and the changes that will happen for project participants. The concept note needs to be sent by email to the indicated address.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full proposal.
The grants can range from a few thousand to several hundred thousand dollars.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Don´t miss this article on how to write a winning concept note.
Also check out our: The Concept Note: A Resource Guide [eBook]
This Guide aims to:
- Provide a holistic understanding of the grant application process, the purpose of the concept notes and their parts, and tips on writing the concept note.
- Assist international development workers in applying for grants from institutional donors, including private foundations, government embassies, and development agencies.
- Increase the quality of grant applications for projects around the world.