Deadline: 31-Jul-25
The Microgrants Initiative, supported by the International Disability Alliance from 2021 to 2026, aims to address critical gaps in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Southern Africa.
Implemented under the project titled “Upholding diversity and inclusion of all: advancing universal economic, social and cultural rights to leave no persons with disabilities behind in Southern Africa, in a world challenged by multiple crises,” this initiative provides essential financial and technical support to grassroots organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs).
By offering small-scale grants, the initiative empowers OPDs to lead transformative, community-driven projects that uphold the economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) of persons with disabilities.
These grants enable organizations to build internal capacity, enhance advocacy efforts, foster peer learning, and produce evidence-based knowledge that aligns with the IDA’s strategic goals of strengthening the movement, advocating globally, and generating knowledge.
The initiative focuses on helping both emerging and national OPDs strengthen their advocacy roles. It encourages them to design and implement localized, innovative projects that produce tangible results in the realm of ESCR.
It also supports capacity building in advocacy and technical skills, with particular emphasis on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and emerging human rights areas.
One of the key objectives is to promote the inclusion of underrepresented groups of persons with disabilities—such as those experiencing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination—through focused advocacy.
The initiative also aims to generate new knowledge and evidence that can guide national and regional advocacy efforts.
Projects must align with at least one priority theme, such as health equity and inclusive health systems, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health and rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities, access to inclusive education, cultural participation including inclusive tourism, community inclusion, and economic empowerment.
Economic empowerment may include employment and disability-inclusive trade.
Each grant under the Microgrants Initiative is valued at USD 6,500, with a six-month implementation period. Eligible applicants must be national or sub-national OPDs legally registered in one of the target countries.
They must qualify as organizations of persons with disabilities, as defined in General Comment No. 7 of the CRPD Committee, and possess a basic organizational structure and financial oversight. Applicants must also commit to participating in learning activities and fulfilling reporting requirements.
Proposals will be evaluated based on several key criteria, with a maximum score of 100 points.
These include relevance to the CRPD and SDGs, and alignment with the program’s thematic priorities.
Projects must demonstrate strong potential to bring about positive, meaningful change for persons with disabilities.
Proposals that promote the active inclusion of underrepresented groups—such as women, persons with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, and people from marginalized communities—will be prioritized.
The feasibility of the project, including realistic goals, timelines, and budgets, will also be closely assessed.
Additionally, the organization’s capacity to effectively implement the project, including the experience and readiness of its team, will be reviewed.
A commitment to documenting and sharing lessons learned will be essential to contribute to broader knowledge within the disability movement.
For more information, visit IDAIDA or download thisdocument.
