Deadline: 17-Jul-2026
The NORFIL Foundation’s Building Effective Networks (BEN) Programme is a five-year disability inclusion initiative that supports organizations working with children and youth with disabilities and their families in the Philippines. It provides grant funding, technical assistance, and long-term capacity building to strengthen inclusive community-based development systems across selected regions.
What Is the BEN Programme?
The Building Effective Networks (BEN) Programme is a long-term strategic initiative implemented by the NORFIL Foundation to strengthen disability-inclusive community development. It focuses on improving access to essential services and opportunities for children and youth with disabilities, while also supporting their families and caregivers.
The programme works by building partnerships with legally registered organizations that implement community-based disability inclusion initiatives. These partnerships are designed to strengthen local systems, improve service delivery, and promote long-term sustainability in inclusive development.
Unlike short-term projects, BEN is structured as a five-year programme, allowing for deeper impact, continuous learning, and stronger institutional collaboration.
Core Objectives of the Programme
The BEN Programme is designed to achieve several interconnected development goals:
- Improve the quality of life of children and youth with disabilities
- Strengthen inclusive community systems and local service networks
- Promote equal access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities
- Support social protection systems for persons with disabilities
- Encourage active participation and inclusion in community life
- Build long-term partnerships between disability-focused organizations
- Strengthen sustainability of inclusive development initiatives
- Enhance local capacity for disability-responsive programming
The programme emphasizes both service delivery and systemic change to ensure long-term inclusion.
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports a wide range of disability-inclusive development activities across multiple sectors.
Community Development and Inclusion
- Strengthening community-based disability support systems
- Building inclusive local governance and participation structures
- Supporting family-centered development approaches
- Promoting awareness of disability rights and inclusion
Education and Learning Support
- Access to inclusive education systems
- Learning assistance for children with disabilities
- Teacher training and school inclusion programs
- Support for alternative and non-formal education pathways
Health and Rehabilitation
- Improved access to healthcare services
- Rehabilitation support including therapy and assistive services
- Early identification and intervention programs
- Community-based rehabilitation initiatives
Livelihood and Economic Empowerment
- Skills training and vocational education
- Income-generating activities for families and caregivers
- Employment readiness and job placement support
- Financial inclusion and economic empowerment programs
Social Protection and Rights-Based Inclusion
- Access to government welfare and social protection programs
- Advocacy for disability rights and inclusion
- Community awareness and sensitization activities
- Strengthening participation in decision-making processes
Geographic Coverage
The BEN Programme focuses on selected priority areas in the Philippines where disability inclusion needs are significant:
- Quezon City
- Rizal Province
- Metro Manila (NCR)
- Sorsogon
- Albay
- Camarines Sur
- Negros Island Region
Organizations working in these areas are strongly encouraged to apply, as local presence and contextual understanding are important for programme success.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to legally registered organizations with experience or interest in disability inclusion and community development.
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-government organizations (NGOs)
- Community-based organizations (CBOs)
- Faith-based organizations (FBOs)
- Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
- Foundations and associations
- Rehabilitation service providers
- Education and training institutions
- Other civil society organizations working in related fields
Applicants should demonstrate commitment to inclusive development and community engagement.
Programme Support for Selected Partners
Organizations selected under the BEN Programme receive a combination of financial and non-financial support designed to strengthen both implementation and long-term capacity.
Grant Funding
- Financial support for implementing approved projects
- Budget allocations aligned with project scope and impact
Technical Assistance and Mentoring
- Guidance on disability-inclusive programming
- Support in project design and implementation
- Mentorship from experienced development practitioners
Capacity Strengthening
- Organizational development support
- Training in inclusive development approaches
- Systems strengthening for sustainability
Learning and Networking Opportunities
- Peer learning among partner organizations
- Knowledge-sharing sessions and workshops
- Collaboration with other disability-focused stakeholders
These components ensure that partners not only implement projects but also strengthen institutional capacity.
Proposal Requirements
Applicants are required to submit comprehensive proposals that demonstrate both need and feasibility. Proposals should include:
- Detailed organizational profile and background
- Description of relevant experience and expertise
- Identification of community needs and challenges
- Proposed interventions and implementation approach
- Expected outcomes and impact indicators
- Target beneficiaries and geographic coverage
- Existing partnerships and stakeholder engagement plans
- Sustainability strategy beyond project funding
- Detailed budget summary
- Proposed project duration and timeline
Strong proposals clearly show alignment with disability inclusion goals and community needs.
Selection and Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on multiple factors, including:
- Relevance to disability inclusion priorities
- Clarity and feasibility of proposed interventions
- Organizational capacity and experience
- Potential community impact and reach
- Sustainability and long-term outcomes
- Strength of partnerships and collaboration approach
- Alignment with local development needs
Preference is given to organizations that demonstrate strong community engagement and inclusive development expertise.
Programme Approach and Philosophy
The BEN Programme is built on a community-based inclusive development (CBID) approach, which emphasizes:
- Local ownership of development initiatives
- Participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making
- Integration of disability inclusion in community systems
- Long-term sustainability rather than short-term aid
- Strengthening local institutions and networks
This approach ensures that inclusion becomes part of everyday community systems rather than a standalone intervention.
Programme Duration and Structure
- Total programme duration: 5 years
- Implementation model: Multi-partner community-based projects
- Approach: Long-term capacity building and systems strengthening
- Funding structure: Grant-based with technical support
The extended timeframe allows for gradual development, monitoring, and sustained impact.
Importance of the BEN Programme
The BEN Programme is significant because it:
- Strengthens disability-inclusive development systems in underserved areas
- Improves access to essential services for children and youth with disabilities
- Builds capacity of local organizations working in inclusion
- Promotes equal participation in education, health, and livelihoods
- Encourages collaboration across civil society and community groups
- Supports long-term, sustainable development outcomes
- Enhances awareness of disability rights and inclusion
Conclusion
The NORFIL Foundation’s Building Effective Networks (BEN) Programme is a comprehensive five-year initiative that strengthens disability-inclusive community development in the Philippines. By combining grant funding, technical assistance, and capacity-building support, the programme empowers local organizations to improve education, health, livelihood, and social inclusion outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families, while building stronger and more sustainable community support systems.
For more information, visit NORFIL Foundation.