They offer grants of up to £60,000 to civil society organisations in the Commonwealth.
This open call grants seek to facilitate constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, including civil society participation in policy development and implementation.
Applications must address one or more of our three priority themes. All applications are required to demonstrate how they will integrate gender considerations into their project design and implementation.
Applicants must check our eligibility criteria thoroughly and download the guidance documents from this page before applying.
Grant status
The grants call will open soon.
Deadline
The grants call will open on 16 September 2025.
What we fund
Applications must address one or more of our three priority themes and other funding considerations such as partnerships and exclusions. Suggested areas of focus under each theme and other important funding considerations are set out below:
Funding priorities
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Health Justice
Projects could support civil society to engage meaningfully with government on:
- Universal health coverage.
- Realising the right to health: better availability, accessibility, quality, participation and accountability in health services and delivery.
- Programmes and policies that focus on social determinants of health as part of the inclusive right to health.
- Challenging systemic discrimination in health systems and promoting equitable access to health services for marginalised groups and those with special needs.
- Promoting the participation of marginalised groups and those with special needs in decision-making processes.
- Promoting health and well-being by combating communicable and non-communicable diseases.
- Equitable access to essential medicines.
Examples of previous projects we’ve funded under this theme can be found here.
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list but rather a set of examples to demonstrate the range of possible areas of focus under this theme.
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Freedom of Expression
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Climate Justice
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Other important funding considerations
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Exclusions
Who we fund
Before you apply, please check if you are eligible.
Only applications meeting the eligibility criteria will be considered.
The applicant must be a not-for-profit civil society organisation (CSO) registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation Member State.
The applicant organisation must have a minimum of three years’ demonstrable experience working on participatory governance and advocacy within the area/theme(s) of the proposed project. Organisations that have been registered and operating for less than three years are not eligible.
Applicant organisations that are currently implementing, or that have recently completed, a Commonwealth Foundation Grant but have not received their final payment are not eligible to apply to this grant call.
The project must seek to facilitate change through constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, including civil society participation in policy development and decision-making, within one or more of the Foundation’s priority themes (see above).
Proposals must relate to projects that are expected to begin after the 1 August 2026 and before the end of September 2026.
To check your eligibility, please refer to the eligible countries map and complete the eligibility quiz.
Click HERE to Apply
