Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call 2026–2027: Grants of up to £30,000 Per Year for Civil Society Organizations. Applications are open for eligible civil society organizations, creative organizations, networks and coalitions working on social, cultural and political change.
Background & Job Description
The Commonwealth Foundation has opened its 2026–2027 Open Grants Call to support civil society across Commonwealth countries.
The programme supports projects that promote meaningful social, cultural and political change through constructive engagement with governments and other decision-makers, as well as creative advocacy.
The application deadline is 1 pm GMT on October 26, 2026.
Funding Available
There are two grant streams:
- Individual Organisation Grants: £15,000–£30,000 per year for up to two years.
- Collective Action Grants: £15,000–£20,000 per year for up to two years.
Projects must address at least one of the Foundation’s three funding priorities: climate and environmental justice, economic inclusion, or freedom of expression. Gender and intersectionality must also be considered in project design and implementation.
Tasks
Funded projects may involve activities such as:
- Advocacy and constructive engagement with decision-makers
- Promoting climate and environmental justice
- Supporting economic inclusion
- Protecting freedom of expression
- Creative advocacy and public engagement
- Increasing participation of affected communities in policy and decision-making
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants must be eligible civil society organisations, creative organisations, networks, coalitions, alliances or platforms, depending on the grant stream.
Experience
For Individual Organisation Grants, organisations must generally have been registered and operating for at least three years, with at least three years of relevant experience. The organisation’s average annual income over the previous two years must be below £2.5 million.
Projects should be implemented in the applicant’s country of registration, although eligible multi-country projects are possible with strong local participation.
Additional Information
Projects are expected to begin between August 1 and September 30, 2027. Applicants should first check the eligible-country requirements and complete the Foundation’s eligibility quiz.
Applications are submitted online after registering through the Foundation’s application system. Applicants are also expected to provide the required supporting documentation.
Deadline: October 26, 2026, at 1 pm GMT.
Official application: Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call
FAQ
What is the Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call 2026–2027?
It is an annual funding programme supporting eligible civil society and creative organisations, as well as eligible networks and collectives, across the Commonwealth.
How much funding is available?
Individual Organisation Grants range from £15,000 to £30,000 per year, while Collective Action Grants range from £15,000 to £20,000 per year.
What areas does the Foundation fund?
The three priorities are climate and environmental justice, economic inclusion, and freedom of expression.
When is the deadline?
Applications close at 1 pm GMT on October 26, 2026.
Can newly registered organisations apply?
No. Organisations, networks, coalitions or collectives registered and operating for less than three years are not eligible under the stated criteria.
Final Thoughts
The Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call 2026–2027 provides funding opportunities for eligible civil society organisations and collective networks working on its strategic priorities. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application guidance before submitting their proposals.
Keywords: Commonwealth Foundation grants 2026, Commonwealth Foundation Open Grants Call 2026–2027, civil society grants, NGO grants 2026, grants for NGOs, Commonwealth grants, civil society funding, climate justice grants, economic inclusion grants, freedom of expression grants
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