Deadline: 16-Feb-2026
The ATscale Small Grants Programme for World Day for Assistive Technology supports awareness and visibility activities on assistive technology across Latin America around 4 June 2026.
Hosted by UNOPS in Geneva, the call invites eligible organizations to manage and distribute small grants of up to USD 15,000 to Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to advance health, education, and inclusion goals.
Program Overview
The ATscale Secretariat, hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Geneva, Switzerland, has launched a call for proposals for the Provision of a Small Grants Programme for World Day for Assistive Technology in Latin America.
The programme is designed to increase awareness, visibility, and understanding of assistive technology and its critical role in improving health, education, independence, and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
Activities supported under this call will take place on or around World Day for Assistive Technology, observed annually on 4 June.
Strategic Objectives and Alignment
The programme aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global disability inclusion priorities.
Primary focus areas include:
• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
• Quality Education (SDG 4)
• Reduced Inequality (SDG 10)
Through these focus areas, the initiative aims to strengthen national and community-level engagement around assistive technology as a driver of inclusive development.
What the Programme Supports
The Small Grants Programme supports awareness-raising and visibility activities related to assistive technology.
Supported activities may include:
• Public awareness campaigns on assistive technology
• Community outreach and engagement events
• Advocacy and visibility initiatives led by OPDs
• Educational activities highlighting the benefits of assistive technology
• National or local observance events linked to World Day for Assistive Technology
All supported activities must clearly promote understanding, access, and inclusion related to assistive technology.
Grant Structure and Funding Details
Overall Grant Model
Rather than funding individual OPDs directly, ATscale will select one primary grantee to manage the Small Grants Programme.
The selected organization will:
• Design and manage the small grants mechanism
• Distribute grants to OPDs across eligible countries
• Provide oversight and coordination of funded activities
• Support OPDs in planning and implementation
Grant Amount
• Maximum budget per small grant: USD 15,000
• Currency: United States Dollars (USD)
Grant sizes should be appropriate for awareness and visibility activities at national or community level.
Role of the Selected Grantee
The successful applicant will act as the programme manager for the region.
Key responsibilities include:
• Developing transparent grant selection and management processes
• Issuing calls or invitations to OPDs
• Providing guidance and light-touch support to OPD grantees
• Monitoring implementation of activities
• Reporting on outcomes and regional impact to ATscale
Strong experience in grants management and disability inclusion is essential.
Eligible Countries
The Small Grants Programme will cover the following Latin American and Caribbean countries:
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay
• Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Activities must take place within one or more of these eligible countries.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible Lead Applicants
Organizations eligible to apply as the Small Grants Programme manager include:
• Academic institutions
• Research institutions
• National non-governmental organizations
• Community-based organizations
• United Nations entities
Applicants must meet all eligibility and compliance requirements outlined in the official call for proposals.
Beneficiaries
• Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)
• Disability-led and community-based disability organizations
OPDs will be the primary recipients of the sub-grants managed by the selected lead organization.
Why This Programme Matters
Assistive technology plays a vital role in enabling participation, independence, and equality.
This programme matters because it:
• Amplifies the voices of persons with disabilities
• Strengthens OPD leadership and visibility
• Promotes inclusive health and education systems
• Raises public awareness of assistive technology gaps and solutions
• Advances disability inclusion at national and community levels
By focusing on World Day for Assistive Technology, the initiative creates a coordinated regional moment for impact and advocacy.
How the Application Process Works
Step 1: Review the Call for Proposals
Eligible organizations review the detailed call issued by ATscale and UNOPS.
Step 2: Prepare a Programme Management Proposal
Applicants develop a proposal outlining:
• Experience in grants or programme management
• Approach to supporting OPDs
• Strategy for regional coordination and outreach
• Proposed monitoring and reporting framework
• Budget for managing and distributing small grants
Step 3: Submit the Proposal
Applications must be submitted in accordance with UNOPS procurement and grant submission guidelines.
Step 4: Selection and Implementation
• ATscale selects one organization as the programme manager
• The selected organization launches the small grants mechanism
• OPDs implement awareness activities around 4 June 2026
Tips for a Competitive Application
• Demonstrate strong experience working with OPDs or disability inclusion
• Clearly explain how grants will be distributed transparently and fairly
• Show regional reach or partnerships in Latin America
• Emphasize accessibility, inclusion, and rights-based approaches
• Propose realistic timelines aligned with World Day for Assistive Technology
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Proposing direct service delivery instead of grants management
• Weak or unclear plans for supporting OPDs
• Overly complex grant mechanisms for small-scale activities
• Insufficient regional knowledge or partnerships
• Budgets that do not align with the USD 15,000 per-grant limit
Avoiding these issues improves proposal clarity and competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this call for proposals?
To select an organization to manage a Small Grants Programme supporting OPD-led awareness activities for World Day for Assistive Technology.
How much funding is available per small grant?
Each small grant can be up to USD 15,000.
Who will receive the small grants?
Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in eligible Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Can OPDs apply directly to ATscale?
No. OPDs will apply through the small grants mechanism managed by the selected lead organization.
When should activities take place?
Activities should occur on or around 4 June 2026.
Which SDGs does the programme support?
SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality).
Who administers the programme?
The programme is led by the ATscale Secretariat, hosted by UNOPS in Geneva.
Conclusion
The ATscale Small Grants Programme for World Day for Assistive Technology offers a strategic opportunity to amplify disability inclusion across Latin America through coordinated awareness and visibility efforts.
By empowering a lead organization to support OPDs at the national and community level, the programme strengthens understanding of assistive technology and advances health, education, and equality for persons with disabilities throughout the region.
For more information, visit UNOPS.
