The NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN), in partnership with the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN), is inviting project proposals from civil society organization (CSO) networks and federations under the EU-supported Civic Space Project (CSP). The grants provide up to NPR 500,000 for projects lasting up to three months that strengthen civic engagement, policy advocacy, collaboration, and organizational capacity across Nepal.

Civic Space Project (CSP) Grants Overview

The Civic Space Project (CSP) is a grant initiative designed to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs), networks, and federations in Nepal.

Implemented by the NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) in partnership with the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN), the project is supported by the European Union to promote democratic participation, civic space, and inclusive policy engagement.

Purpose of the Civic Space Project

The programme aims to strengthen Nepal’s civil society by supporting initiatives that:

• Promote democratic participation
• Strengthen civic space
• Encourage collaboration among CSOs
• Improve policy advocacy through evidence-based research
• Build stronger and more sustainable civil society networks
• Enhance organizational governance and management

Objectives of the Programme

The Civic Space Project supports CSO networks and federations in four key areas.

Foster Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Projects may include:

• Collaborative platforms for CSOs
• Knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Joint advocacy campaigns
• Public awareness activities
• Policy dialogue among civil society organizations

Expand Regional and Thematic Reach

The programme encourages broader engagement with:

• Women
• Dalit communities
• Sexual and gender minorities
• Children
• Youth
• Government representatives
• Think tanks
• Research institutions
• Media organizations
• Private sector stakeholders
• Communities across different regions of Nepal

Promote Evidence-Based Policy Dialogue and Advocacy

Funding may support:

• Policy research
• Data collection
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Policy recommendations
• Research partnerships
• Advocacy campaigns based on evidence

Enhance Organizational Capacity

Projects may strengthen:

• Internal governance systems
• Financial management
• Monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
• Advocacy skills
• Institutional development
• Network management

Funding Information

• Maximum grant amount: NPR 500,000
• Project implementation period: Up to 3 months
• Implementation timeline: August 2026 – October 2026

Who is Eligible?

The funding is intended for:

• Civil society organization (CSO) networks
• Civil society federations
• Collaborative civil society alliances working in Nepal

Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement proposed activities within the available budget and timeframe.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed using several key criteria.

Relevance

Projects should:

• Align with Civic Space Project objectives
• Strengthen civic engagement
• Support democratic participation
• Promote the rights of citizens and marginalized communities

Feasibility

Projects should:

• Be realistic and achievable
• Match the available budget
• Be completed within the three-month implementation period

Impact

Projects should demonstrate:

• Clear benefits for target communities
• Positive social outcomes
• Measurable improvements in civic engagement or advocacy

Sustainability

Applicants should explain:

• How activities will continue after grant completion
• Long-term benefits
• Future partnerships or follow-up plans

Organizational Capacity

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong governance
• Financial management capacity
• Project implementation experience
• Effective monitoring systems

Collaboration, Inclusion, and Diversity

Successful proposals should:

• Build partnerships among CSOs
• Encourage collaboration
• Promote inclusion
• Respect diversity
• Foster joint action toward common civic objectives

How the Grant Programme Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify the Project Idea

Develop a project that strengthens civic space, democratic participation, or policy advocacy.

Step 2: Align with Programme Objectives

Ensure the proposal addresses one or more of the programme objectives, such as collaboration, evidence-based advocacy, organizational development, or inclusion.

Step 3: Develop the Project Plan

Prepare:

• Project objectives
• Activity plan
• Timeline
• Expected outcomes
• Budget
• Monitoring approach

Step 4: Demonstrate Organizational Capacity

Provide evidence of:

• Previous experience
• Governance structure
• Financial management systems
• Capacity to deliver the project

Step 5: Submit the Proposal

Ensure the proposal clearly demonstrates relevance, feasibility, impact, sustainability, and collaboration.

Step 6: Project Implementation

Successful applicants implement activities between August 2026 and October 2026.

Why This Grant Matters

The Civic Space Project strengthens Nepal’s civil society by:

• Supporting democratic governance
• Expanding civic participation
• Empowering marginalized communities
• Improving public policy dialogue
• Encouraging collaboration among civil society organizations
• Building stronger institutional capacity
• Promoting evidence-based advocacy

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing activities unrelated to civic engagement
• Submitting unrealistic work plans
• Providing weak evidence of organizational capacity
• Failing to demonstrate sustainability
• Ignoring collaboration and partnership opportunities
• Presenting unclear budgets or timelines
• Not addressing inclusion and diversity

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Clearly explain the civic challenge being addressed
• Demonstrate measurable community impact
• Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders
• Include evidence-based advocacy strategies
• Present a realistic three-month implementation plan
• Show strong organizational governance and financial systems
• Highlight inclusion of marginalized communities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the Civic Space Project grants?

Civil society organization networks and federations operating in Nepal are eligible to submit proposals.

2. How much funding is available?

Successful applicants can receive up to NPR 500,000.

3. How long can projects run?

Projects may be implemented for up to three months, from August 2026 to October 2026.

4. What types of projects are supported?

Projects that strengthen civic engagement, policy advocacy, collaboration, organizational capacity, and democratic participation.

5. How are proposals evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on relevance, feasibility, impact, sustainability, organizational capacity, and collaboration.

6. Are partnerships encouraged?

Yes. The programme strongly encourages collaboration among CSOs, research institutions, government stakeholders, media, and other partners.

7. Why is sustainability important?

Applicants should demonstrate how project benefits and activities will continue beyond the grant period to create lasting impact.

Conclusion

The Civic Space Project provides valuable funding for CSO networks and federations in Nepal to strengthen civic participation, democratic governance, and evidence-based advocacy. Through support for collaboration, organizational development, and inclusive policy dialogue, the programme helps civil society organizations expand their impact and build stronger partnerships.

By investing in sustainable, community-driven initiatives, the project contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and participatory civic environment across Nepal.