Deadline: 07-Aug-2026
The AMPING (Advocacy Microgrants for Participation and Inclusive Governance) program provides PHP 100,000 microgrants to women-led and rights-based civil society organizations in the Philippines. Implemented under the Sama-Sama Project by CECI and CONCERN Inc. with support from Global Affairs Canada, the program funds community-led advocacy projects that strengthen gender equality, inclusive governance, accountability, and the political participation of women and marginalized communities.
AMPING Advocacy Microgrants 2026
The AMPING (Advocacy Microgrants for Participation and Inclusive Governance) program supports grassroots advocacy initiatives that empower women and marginalized groups to influence public policies and strengthen accountable, inclusive governance.
Unlike service delivery grants, AMPING focuses on advocacy efforts that shift decision-making power toward communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in governance and policy processes.
About the Programme
AMPING is a microgrant initiative under the Sama-Sama Project, implemented by CECI and CONCERN Inc. in the Philippines with financial support from Global Affairs Canada.
The program helps community organizations design and implement advocacy campaigns that address issues affecting women and marginalized populations while promoting human rights, accountability, and civic participation.
Funding Details
Successful applicants will receive:
- Grant amount: PHP 100,000 per organization
- Project duration: Up to 6 months
The funding is intended for advocacy and policy engagement activities rather than direct service delivery or livelihood assistance.
Programme Objectives
The AMPING program aims to:
- Strengthen women-led advocacy initiatives.
- Promote inclusive and participatory governance.
- Increase women’s participation in decision-making.
- Advance gender equality and social inclusion.
- Support accountability and human rights.
- Strengthen community ownership of advocacy efforts.
- Encourage policy engagement at the local level.
- Address barriers faced by marginalized communities.
Focus Areas
Projects may focus on:
- Gender equality
- Women’s political participation
- Inclusive governance
- Human rights
- Civic engagement
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
- Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in politics
- Accountability
- Representation of women and marginalized groups
- Socio-economic rights
- Feminist leadership
- Intersectionality
- Community participation
- Policy advocacy
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Civil society organizations (CSOs)
- Community-based organizations (CBOs)
- Grassroots organizations
- Women-led organizations
- Rights-based organizations
Applicants must operate in one of the following locations:
- Cebu City
- Mandaue City
- Lapu-Lapu City
- Eastern Samar
- Iligan
- Cagayan de Oro
- Marawi
Organizations do not need to be legally registered. However, unregistered groups must:
- Demonstrate strong community roots.
- Submit a written agreement identifying the bank account that will receive the grant.
Priority Groups
Priority will be given to organizations led by or representing:
- Indigenous women and girls
- Informal economy workers
- Informal settler families
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
- Communities in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA)
- Youth
- LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse communities
- Persons with disabilities
Eligible Activities
Grant funding may support activities such as:
- Community consultations
- Focus group discussions
- Community assemblies
- Planning workshops
- Policy dialogues with local government units
- Public forums
- Advocacy campaigns
- Community research
- Issue mapping
- Petitions
- Position paper development
- Printing advocacy materials
- Transportation
- Venue rental
- Food for participants
- Honoraria for resource persons
- Internet support
- Communication and awareness materials
All funded activities must contribute to:
- Policy engagement
- Political participation
- Public accountability
Ineligible Expenses
Funding cannot be used for:
- Personal salaries
- Construction or infrastructure
- Computers, cameras, or expensive equipment
- Political campaign activities
- Religious activities
- Loans or personal financial assistance
- Direct livelihood distribution
- Activities outside the approved advocacy plan
Volunteer or facilitator stipends are allowed up to PHP 1,000 per day.
Guiding Principles
Supported initiatives are expected to embrace:
- Intersectionality
- Feminist leadership
- Gender equality
- Meaningful participation
- Community ownership
- Accountability
- Solidarity
- Human rights
- Do No Harm principles
Why This Grant Matters
Women and marginalized communities often face barriers to participating in governance and influencing public policy.
The AMPING program provides flexible funding that enables grassroots organizations to amplify community voices, advocate for policy change, strengthen democratic participation, and promote inclusive governance at the local level.
How to Apply
Follow these steps:
- Confirm your organization’s eligibility.
- Identify an advocacy issue affecting your community.
- Develop a six-month advocacy project.
- Clearly explain how the project will influence policy, governance, or accountability.
- Prepare a realistic project budget.
- If unregistered, provide documentation demonstrating community roots and a written agreement identifying the grant-receiving bank account.
- Submit the application according to the program guidelines before the deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your chances:
- Focus on advocacy rather than service delivery.
- Demonstrate strong community participation.
- Clearly identify the policy or governance issue.
- Explain expected advocacy outcomes.
- Show how marginalized groups will actively participate.
- Present a practical and realistic implementation plan.
- Ensure your budget aligns with advocacy activities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Proposing direct service delivery instead of advocacy.
- Including ineligible expenses such as equipment purchases.
- Failing to demonstrate community ownership.
- Submitting unclear advocacy objectives.
- Omitting required documentation.
- Designing activities that fall outside the approved advocacy scope.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AMPING Advocacy Microgrants Program?
It is a microgrant initiative supporting women-led and rights-based organizations that implement community advocacy projects promoting inclusive governance and accountability in the Philippines.
How much funding is available?
Each selected organization will receive PHP 100,000.
How long can projects run?
Projects may be implemented for up to six months.
Can unregistered organizations apply?
Yes. Community-based organizations that are not legally registered may apply if they demonstrate community roots and provide the required written agreement for grant management.
Which organizations receive priority?
Priority is given to organizations representing Indigenous communities, youth, LGBTQIA+ communities, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, informal workers, informal settler families, and communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
What types of activities are funded?
Eligible activities include policy dialogues, community consultations, advocacy campaigns, public forums, research, issue mapping, position papers, and other advocacy initiatives that strengthen participation and accountability.
What activities are not eligible?
The grant does not support political campaigning, infrastructure projects, expensive equipment purchases, personal salaries, direct livelihood assistance, religious activities, or loans.
Conclusion
The AMPING Advocacy Microgrants 2026 provide grassroots organizations in the Philippines with an opportunity to strengthen women-led advocacy, promote inclusive governance, and influence policy through community-driven action. With PHP 100,000 available per project, the program empowers local organizations to advance gender equality, human rights, civic participation, and accountability while ensuring that marginalized communities have a stronger voice in public decision-making.
For more information, visit CONCERN Inc.
