Irish Aid: Seeking Applications for 2018 Civil Society Fund (CSF)

Deadline: 1 December 2017

Irish Aid is seeking applications for its 2018 Civil Society Fund (CSF). Irish Aid’s support to civil society is informed by the Sustainable Development Goals, the Framework for Action associated with Ireland’s Policy for International Development, One World, One Future and the Irish Aid Civil Society Policy.

The Civil Society Fund (CSF) is Irish Aid’s main competitive project funding scheme. Applications are accepted on an annual basis from Irish and invited international civil society organisations to carry out development projects relevant to Irish Aid’s policy priorities. Projects must be between one and three years in duration and priority is given to projects in Sub Saharan Africa.

Grant Information

Subject to the limit of 60% dependency on Irish Aid, the maximum available grant per year is:

€400,000 per year for Irish organisations
€200,000 per year for international organisations

Eligibility Criteria

Country of Registration: The applicant organisation must be either Irish-based, or a non-Irish based organisation which has received an invitation to apply for funding.
Organisational Status: The applicant must be a non-governmental, non-profit, civil society organisation with legal status. It must be the holder of a Registered Charity Number (RCN) for a minimum of two years prior to the date of application. An equivalent exemption will be required for non-Irish based organisations.
Governance: Applicants must have a formal decision-making structure (e.g. a board of trustees/directors) which can take legal responsibility for the administration and use of Irish Aid funds (all Irish applicants must have such a structure legally recognised in Ireland).
Accounts: Applicants must submit annual accounts comprising at a minimum the Balance Sheet, the Income and Expenditure Statement, and Cash Flow statement for the two financial years prior to application. If the applicant organisation has an annual income above €100,000, these accounts must be externally and independently audited. Annual accounts (audited if applicable) must be available on the organisation’s website by the eligibility deadline.
Funding Status: Applications will not be accepted from any organisation which is has been approved to receive a grant in 2018 from either the Civil Society Fund or the Programme Grant.
Focus of Work: The areas of intervention by the organisation must meet the OECD DAC definition of Official Development Assistance and take place in a country classified as eligible for assistance.
Record of Compliance: Applicants previously in receipt of Irish Aid funds must have a record of compliance in terms of the administration and use of such funds. Applicants with a record of noncompliance with the terms of Irish Aid contract(s) may not be considered for funding.
Child Protection: Organisations which work with children and young adults must have child protection policies in place that are in compliance with the Children First Act 2015. Proposed partner organisations must also have relevant policies in place.