Deadline: 10-Oct-22
The Civil Society Fund accepts applications annually from Irish and invited international civil society organisations for grants for development projects of between one and three years duration.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a long and proud history of supporting Irish international civil society organisations. The Civil Society Fund (CSF) supports overseas development projects which have the potential to contribute to the priorities and commitments in A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development (2019).
Funding Information
- The minimum annual grant is €50,000 and maximum annual grant is €400,000, subject to the limit of 60% dependency on the Department.
Eligibility Criteria
The following eligibility criteria apply:
- Country of Registration: The applicant organisation must be either Irish, or a non-Irish organisation which has received an invitation to apply for funding.
- Charitable Status: Irish applicant organisations must hold a Registered Charity Number for a minimum of two years as of 10 October 2022 and be compliant with the Irish Charities Regulatory Authority annual reporting requirements. International NGOs must be in receipt of a relevant invitation from the Civil Society Fund, registered as charities in the countries of their headquarters for a minimum of two years as of 10 October 2022 and be compliant with the relevant charities regulatory authority (or equivalent) reporting requirements.
- Organisation Focus: Irish applicant organisations must have ongoing operations in Ireland that relate to the direct management and oversight of overseas development projects. International NGOs must have HQ operations that include responsibilities for the direct management and/or oversight of overseas development projects. Missionary organisations and religious orders are not eligible to apply and should instead contact Misean Cara.
- Independence and Added Value: If the organisation is part of a larger international family, it must have its own constitution or governance document and an independent board of trustees (i.e. the board must be locally appointed and be free and able to make independent decisions on strategic and operational issues).
- Tax Clearance Certificate: Irish organisations must submit a Tax Clearance Certificate with the Eligibility Form. Non-Irish organisations must provide an equivalent
- Funding Status: Applications cannot be accepted from any organisations which have been approved by the Department to receive a grant in 2023 from either the Department of Foreign Affairs Civil Society Fund or Ireland’s Partnership for a Better World (previously the Programme Grant).
- Focus of Work: The areas of intervention by the organisation must meet the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) definition of Official Development Assistance and take place in a country or countries classified by the OECD DAC as eligible for assistance.
- Accounts: The Eligibility Form should be accompanied by full audited accounts for the two financial years prior to application. Accounts must also be available on the organisation’s website prior to the Deadline.
- Record of Compliance: Applicants with a record of non-compliance with the terms of Department contract(s) may not be considered for funding.
For more information, visit https://www.irishaid.ie/what-we-do/who-we-work-with/civil-society/civil-society-fund/