The Global Fund for Children launches the ‘Addressing Root Causes (ARC) Initiative’

Deadline: 30-Apr-24

The Global Fund for Children (GFC) has launched the Addressing Root Causes (ARC) initiative to address the root causes of exploitation, especially those that affect children and youth in South Asia.

The grassroots organizations in this initiative are tackling complex and multifaceted issues including intergenerational poverty; harmful social and cultural norms; gender inequality; restricted access to education; and a lack of positive employment opportunities. In addition to addressing the root causes of exploitation, they are increasing the capacity of youth and communities to lead local interventions that reduce harm, as well as promoting children’s rights and empowerment.

They are thrilled to be working in partnership with six organizations across Bangladesh that are applying a community-led lens to their work. They are now seeking to expand the cohort of partners in India and Nepal that are committed to community-led change for children and youth in their countries. The organizations they select will already be carrying out intersectional and holistic activities focused on child and youth wellbeing.

This is a five-year initiative, with long-term grants that are renewable over the project period. Through flexible funding, partnership building, leadership training, and facilitated spaces, GFC will expand its regional network of organizations that play an active role in the reduction of exploitation and harm and in the promotion of rights and empowerment. They will support partners through a cohort-based approach that promotes learning and centers community participation and youth leadership.

GFC is providing these partner organizations with long-term flexible funding, alongside a wide range of capacity development services including partnership building and leadership training.

Ineligible Funding 

• They are not able to support:
  • Local offices, affiliates, or projects of large INGOs, governments, or intergovernmental organizations
  • Efforts to support or oppose candidates for public office
  • Evangelism or proselytizing, or programs that require adherence to or conversion to religious doctrine
  • Organizations that, in policy or in practice, discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation
  • Groups that conduct or support violent activities or violate criminal law

Eligibility Criteria

• They invite applications from community, nongovernmental, grassroots, and civil society organizations.
• They look for future partners that meet these criteria:
  • Know their community and live or work in the areas they serve.
  • Aim to improve the lives of children and youth.
  • Embrace discovery, learning, and getting better at what they do.
  • Appreciate that they can’t make change alone and see themselves as part of a larger system.
  • Have local nonprofit or charitable status and can accept international funds or have a fiscal sponsor that can.
  • Protect children and youth with a safeguarding policy or agree to implement one.

For more information, visit GFC.