Irish Aid: Civil Society Fund 2016 for NGOs engaged in Development Work in World’s Poorest Regions

Deadline: 9 October 2015

Irish Aid is currently inviting applications from the NGOs for its Civil Society Fund (CSF) 2016.  This grant enables NGOs to undertake innovative development projects in a range of areas including human rights, health, education, gender, water and sanitation, and food security.

Irish Aid has a long history of supporting Irish Civil Society Organisations working in the developing world to fight poverty, achieve sustainable development, promote human rights and contribute to good governance.

Grants Available

Grants are allocated for projects and the maximum ceiling is €200,000 per year for up to 3 years. All proposals need to have a strong focus on results for individuals and communities in the poorest parts of the world.

Areas of Interest

• Strengthening of the voice of communities and civil society organisations to influence policy and
• its implementation, at local national and international levels;
• Reducing global hunger and malnutrition;
• Improving livelihood security and the inclusion and participation of poor people in economic growth and job creation;
• Improving access to essential services, such as education, health care and programmes of HIV prevention, care and support;
• Improving access and control of resources for marginalised people and communities;
• Promoting and realising human rights;
• Promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality, including initiatives to tackle gender based violence;
• Promoting environmental sustainability and initiatives that mitigate the impact of climate change and build people’s resilience to natural and other disasters.

Key Dates

• Eligibility Criteria Form submission: 9 October 2015
• Notification of Eligible status: 15 October 2015
• The closing date for receipt of the Grant Application Form: 12 November 2015

Eligibility Criteria

• The CSF scheme is open to Irish-based organisations and invited International organisations only.
• Organisations which do not meet the deadline of 9th October 2015 for submitting an Eligibility Criteria Form will not be considered in the round.
• The applicant organisation must be either Irish-based, or a non-Irish based organisation which has received an invitation to apply for funding
• The applicant must be a non-governmental, non-profit, civil society organisation with legal status. It must have charitable status exemption from the Irish Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
• Applicants must have a formal decision-making structure (e.g. a board of trustees) which can take legal responsibility for the administration and use of Irish Aid funds. (All Irish applicants must have such a structure legally recognized in Ireland).
• Applicants must submit annual accounts comprising at a minimum the Balance Sheet, the Income and Expenditure Statement, and Cash Flow statement for the two financial years prior to application
• Income received from Irish Aid, either directly or indirectly, must not exceed 60% of the overall organisational income of the applicant. This should be calculated based on an average of the last two years accounts.
• In 2016, applications will not be accepted from any organisation which is currently in receipt of funds from the Civil Society Fund or from the Programme Grant operated by the Civil Society Section, Irish Aid. Applicant organisations that are due to receive a payment from the Civil Society Fund in 2016 or 2017 under an existing contract are ineligible to apply.
• Organisations who work with children and young adults under the age of 18 must have child protection policies in place that are in compliance with policy guidelines, Children First Guidance, launched by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in July 2011. An equivalent policy is required for non-Irish organisations.

Application Process

Applicants must send the completed eligibility Criteria Form by email. All applicants will be notified of their eligibility status by the 15th October 2015. If applicants are eligible, then proceed to complete the CSF 2016 application form.

For more information, please visit Irish Aid CSF.