Deadline: 12 December 2016
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) is seeking applications for its program “Power and Accountability” to support people to create a world in which power is more equally shared, and in which powerful institutions are responsive and accountable to wider society and aligned with the long-term public interest.
In wider society, the way that power is concentrated, shared and used is changing as a result of globalisation, new technology, new channels of communication, extreme inequality and other factors. These changes bring increased risks of unaccountable power, but also new opportunities for interconnected, engaged and flourishing democracy.
Funding Priorities
- Strengthening corporate accountability
Large corporations have significant power, and checks and balances are inadequately developed, particularly for trans-national corporations. Funds will be provided towards work which:- develops and promotes mechanisms which increase the accountability and responsiveness of companies to shareholders, stakeholders, regulators and the long-term public interest, for example through improvements to corporate governance, corporate structures (including alternative corporate forms), company reporting or regulation
- develops and promotes mechanisms whereby those who suffer severely as a result of company actions, particularly marginalised groups, can gain access to justice.
- Strengthening democratic accountability
In a healthy democracy, government should be representative of the wider public and in touch with a wide range of groups, but not disproportionately influenced by any single interest. Funds will be provided towards work which:- develops and promotes mechanisms which ensure an accountable, transparent and proportionate relationship between the private sector and government
- develops and promotes mechanisms which enable civil society and the general public, including marginalised groups, to engage appropriately and effectively with government policy making
- encourages government, parliament and other statutory agencies to be more representative of the wider public they serve.
- Encouraging responsible media
The media is an important part of a healthy democracy, but media can itself be powerful and unaccountable. Funds will be provided towards work which:- encourages accurate and responsible media, with appropriate safeguards
- explores and promotes ways for all forms of media to play a constructive role in holding government, companies and other powerful actors to account.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Trust makes grants to a range of organisations and to individuals. It is not necessary to be a registered charity to apply to the Trust. However, the Trust can only support work which is legally charitable as defined in UK law.
- JRCT will consider applications for national work in the UK, or elsewhere in the EU for work at a pan-European level. JRCT consider applications aimed at increasing the accountability of the UK government and other UK bodies for the impact of the policies and practices that they pursue within global institutions.
How to Apply
- Applicants must submit the following additional documents:
- Narrative proposal
- Budgets Accounts
- Governing document (non-charities only)
- Closing report (existing grantees only)
- Applications must be submitted online via given website.
Eligible Country: United Kingdom
For more information, please visit Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.