Deadline: 31-Mar-25
DW Akademie (DWA) and the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD) are jointly implementing the European Union (EU)-funded project “Building Inclusive Democracy: Civil Society, Parliamentarians, Media, and Youth Strengthen Good Governance in Bhutan” (2024–2026).
This initiative aims to empower Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to actively participate in policy discussions and effectively advocate for inclusive development within their specific thematic areas. To support these efforts, a grant scheme has been established to fund CSOs’ research activities and the creation of thematic policy briefs. This support is designed to enhance CSOs’ analytical skills and strengthen their arguments, enabling more effective engagement with political stakeholders.
Objectives
- Overall Objective (OO): CSOs engage in open and well-informed dialogues with the parliamentarians, policy-makers, and relevant agencies/stakeholders.
- Specific Objective (SO): Bhutanese CSOs have a better understanding of key policy areas and their leverage in respective policy-making processes.
Focus Areas
- The Grant scheme will support CSO research activities and the production of policy documents in the areas of:
- Art, Culture and Recreation
- Education and Youth
- Environment and Climate Change
- Gender and Vulnerable Groups
- Good Governance, Media and Democracy
- Health and Sanitation
- Socio-economic Development and livelihood
- Wellbeing (Caregiving, Rehabilitation and Welfare)
Funding Information
- Applicants may apply for grants with a ceiling of EURO 8,000. The implementation period for grants shall be for a maximum period of 10 months.
What are the Ineligible Costs?
- Profit-generating projects.
- Scholarships to support educational opportunities or studies.
- Projects that support electoral campaigns of political parties and/or individuals.
- Projects that support religious activities.
- Other unrelated capital expenditures (e.g., vehicles, etc.).
- Costs already covered by other projects.
- Taxes.
- Contributions in kind.
- Provisions for future liabilities.
- Debts and debt‐service charges.
- Any credits to third parties.
- Fines, financial penalties, and any litigation costs.
- Personal expenses.
- Any additional fees and charges from the applicant’s staff and management for services such as overtime, holiday pay, vacation pay, gift reimbursement, unauthorised travel, and housing expenses.
Who can Apply?
- Registered Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
- Be duly registered with the CSO Authority.
- Is an active CSO in Bhutan.
- Does not have an ongoing project through this grant-making window.
- Contributes to the achievement of governance goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Has sound credentials in financial management.
- Possesses relevant experience in one of the key topics of interest.
For more information, visit BCMD.