Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The Friends of Liberia Small Grants Program provides up to USD 3,000 to support community-led development projects designed and implemented by local communities in Liberia. The program prioritises locally driven solutions in areas such as education, healthcare, economic development, environmental sustainability, and support for underserved populations.
The Friends of Liberia Small Grants Program is a funding initiative that empowers Liberian communities to identify, design, and implement projects that address their own development priorities.
By supporting locally led initiatives, the program strengthens community ownership, builds local capacity, and promotes sustainable development outcomes across Liberia.
What Is the Friends of Liberia Small Grants Program?
The Small Grants Program provides targeted funding to community-driven development projects that respond directly to local needs.
The program is built on the principle that communities are best positioned to define their own priorities and implement solutions that are culturally relevant, practical, and sustainable.
Funded projects must demonstrate strong local leadership, meaningful community engagement, and a clear pathway to positive social impact.
Focus Areas and Objectives
Projects must align with one or more of the program’s focus areas, including:
• Community-led development and local empowerment
• Education and youth development
• Healthcare access and community wellbeing
• Economic development and livelihoods
• Environmental sustainability and conservation
• Capacity building and leadership development
• Strengthening self-reliance and resilience
• Support for underserved and marginalised populations
Priority populations include:
• Women and girls
• Children and youth
• Older persons
• People with disabilities
• Rural and hard-to-reach communities
Grant Amount and Funding Scope
• Maximum grant amount: USD 3,000 per project
• Grants support project-specific costs only
• Funding cannot be used for general operational or administrative expenses
• Grants cannot be the sole source of funding for the implementing organisation
Projects must demonstrate additional support, partnerships, or in-kind contributions where possible.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible Organisations
Applicants must be:
• Nonprofit organisations or NGOs
• Officially registered in Liberia
• Able to provide proof of legal registration
Preference is given to:
• Liberian-led organisations
• Organisations with a proven track record in community development
• Groups with experience working directly with target communities
Peace Corps Partnership Support
Friends of Liberia also supports the Peace Corps Partnership Program.
• Currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers in Liberia may receive small grants
• Grants must support community-identified and community-led projects
Why This Program Matters
The Friends of Liberia Small Grants Program:
• Strengthens community ownership of development initiatives
• Supports locally driven solutions rather than external interventions
• Builds leadership and organisational capacity
• Improves access to essential services
• Reaches underserved and marginalised populations
• Encourages sustainable, long-term development impact
The program reinforces self-reliance and locally grounded development.
How the Application Process Works
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organisation is legally registered in Liberia and that the proposed project aligns with the program’s focus areas.
Step 2: Develop a Community-Led Project Proposal
Projects should be:
• Identified and prioritised by the community
• Designed with meaningful community participation
• Feasible, realistic, and impact-focused
Step 3: Prepare Required Application Materials
Completed applications must include:
• Organisational background information
• Detailed project proposal
• Organisational or professional references
• Itemised project budget
• Proof of organisational registration
Step 4: Submit the Application
Applications must be complete and clearly demonstrate community leadership, local relevance, and project feasibility.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are reviewed using a structured scoring rubric with ratings from 1 to 5.
Evaluation criteria include:
• Responsiveness to pressing local needs
• Reach and benefit to underserved populations
• Quality and clarity of the project design
• Feasibility and realism of the implementation plan
• Alignment with community priorities
• Depth of community engagement and leadership
Strong applications clearly articulate the local context and demonstrate practical pathways to impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Proposing projects not driven by community priorities
• Requesting funding for operational or administrative costs
• Submitting incomplete budgets or missing documents
• Applying without proof of legal registration
• Presenting unrealistic timelines or outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much funding can we apply for?
Applicants may request up to USD 3,000 per project.
Can the grant cover staff salaries or office costs?
No. The program does not fund operational or administrative expenses.
Are international NGOs eligible to apply?
Only nonprofit organisations and NGOs registered in Liberia are eligible.
Can the grant be our organisation’s only source of funding?
No. Grants cannot serve as the sole source of organisational support.
Are Peace Corps Volunteers eligible?
Yes. Currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers may receive small grants through the Peace Corps Partnership Program.
How are applications scored?
Applications are evaluated using a 1–5 rubric based on relevance, community impact, feasibility, and alignment with local priorities.
Conclusion
The Friends of Liberia Small Grants Program offers critical support to community-led initiatives that promote sustainable development, empowerment, and inclusion across Liberia.
By prioritising local leadership, underserved populations, and practical solutions, the program helps communities turn their own ideas into meaningful, lasting change.
For more information, visit Friends of Liberia (FOL).
