[May 2026]
Explore a curated collection of grants, awards, and open calls designed to support individuals, organizations, and changemakers working to create lasting social impact worldwide. These opportunities aim to empower innovative ideas, strengthen community-led efforts, and support initiatives driving meaningful change across diverse contexts.
Call for Nominations: The Ginetta Sagan Award
Deadline: 01-June-2026
The Ginetta Sagan Award honors women who are courageously defending the liberty, safety, and human rights of women and children in regions affected by serious abuses. The award provides $20,000 directly to the recipient, with unrestricted use…[more]
Open Call: AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility
Deadline: 30-June-2026
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility recognizes individuals and organizations advancing scientific integrity, human rights, and ethical responsibility…[more]
2026 Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism
Deadline: 14-June-2026
The Kurt Schork Memorial Fund (KSMF) Awards celebrate journalists who deliver courageous and impactful reporting on underreported global issues…[more]
Call to Support Human Rights Defense in Development Contexts
Deadline: 20-May-2026
The Community Resource Exchange (CRE) Collaboration Grants support community-led initiatives across Asia-Pacific, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus to defend human rights in energy-related development projects…[more]
Call for Proposals: Spaces of Culture 2026
Deadline: 21-June-2026
The Spaces of Culture 2026 call, launched by EUNIC (EU National Institutes for Culture), is now open for innovative cultural relations projects in Sub-Saharan Africa…[more]
Entries open for Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon
Deadline: 28-May-2026
The Democracy’s Firewall Hackathon invites multidisciplinary teams to create innovative solutions to combat online disinformation while protecting democratic values and freedom of expression…[more]
Entries open for Community Action Fund
Deadline: 16-October-2026
The Community Action Fund supports Indigenous-led initiatives focused on urgent, non-violent direct action and community organizing. It is designed to strengthen grassroots efforts that defend Indigenous rights and protect land, water, air, and natural resources across Indigenous territories in North America and related Island Nations…[more]
Apply Now: Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism
Deadline: 31-July-2026
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism honours high-quality investigative and in-depth journalism that defends and promotes the foundational values of the European Union. It was established to support press freedom and recognize journalists who contribute to democratic accountability and human rights protection…[more]
Call for Applications: Due Diligence Fund Program
Deadline: 15-June-2026
The Due Diligence Fund is inviting applications to strengthen corporate human rights and environmental due diligence in global agricultural supply chains through targeted funding and multi-stakeholder collaboration…[more]
CFAs: Human Rights Democracy and CSO Support in Sri Lanka and Maldives
Deadline: 25-May-2026
The European Commission has launched a €2.78 million funding call to strengthen human rights, democracy, civil society, and climate action in Sri Lanka and the Maldives…[more]
CFPs: Strengthen Civic Participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Deadline: 27-May-2026
The European Commission is inviting proposals to strengthen participatory democracy, protect human rights, and support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration process…[more]
Funding Opportunities for CSOs Advancing Democracy and Human Rights (Panama)
Deadline: 05-June-2026
The European Commission invites applications for grants to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders as independent actors in governance, democracy, and sustainable development…[more]
Civic Engagement for Social Change Funding Opportunity (Canada)
Deadline: 02-June-2026
Civic Engagement for Social Change funding by the Catherine Donnelly Foundation supports initiatives that strengthen democracy, advance equity, and empower communities through education, advocacy, and collective action…[more]
Project Grants to Strengthen Civil Society and Democracy (Slovakia)
Deadline: 31-May-2026
The EEA Civil Society Fund in Slovakia has launched Open Call No. 2 for Project Grants to support Slovak civil society organisations (CSOs) working on democracy, human rights, social inclusion, media literacy, refugee integration, gender equality, LGBTIQ+ rights, Roma inclusion, and climate action…[more]
Apply Now: Advancing Accountable Governance and Democracy in Thailand
Deadline: 29-May-2026
The European Commission invites civil society organisations to submit proposals that strengthen democratic governance, human rights, and inclusive participation in Thailand…[more]
Call for Proposals: Human Rights and Civil Society Programs (Togo)
Deadline: 26-May-2026
The European Commission’s 2026 Call for Proposals in Togo supports human rights, gender equality, and civil society strengthening…[more]
CFPs: Grants for Human Rights Protection and International Justice Initiatives (Ukraine)
Deadline: 20-May-2026
The Netherlands Helsinki Committee Ukraine human rights accountability grants is a targeted funding initiative by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee…[more]
Sociological Initiatives Foundation’s Research Grants (United States)
Deadline: 14-August-2026
The Sociological Initiatives Foundation funds research-driven projects in the United States that address systemic inequalities and influence policy and community outcomes…[more]
Strengthening Civil Society Through the BFJ “Values” Program (Bulgaria)
Deadline: 08-June-2026
The Bulgarian Fund for Women “Values” Program provides up to €60,000 to support civil society organizations promoting human rights, democracy, and EU values in Bulgaria…[more]
CFPs: Promotion of Human Rights and Strengthening of CSOs in Morocco
Deadline: 02-June-2026
The European Commission has launched a €5.8 million funding call in Morocco to strengthen civil society, human rights, and democratic governance…[more]
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy’s Domestic Grants
Deadline: 25-June-2026
The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy domestic grant supports NGOs, academic institutions, and think tanks in promoting democracy and human rights through research, education, forums, and international engagement…[more]
Funding Available to Support Local Development Projects in Jamaica
Deadline: 05-June-2026
The High Commission of Canada in Jamaica has launched its annual call for proposals under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)…[more]
RFPs: Support to Human Rights, Democracy and Civil Society (Jordan)
Deadline: 14-June-2026
The European Commission has launched a restricted 2026 call for proposals to strengthen human rights, democracy, and civil society engagement in Jordan…[more]
Public Call for Civil Society Project Proposals under ReLOaD3 Programme (Serbia)
Deadline: 29-May-2026
The City of Vranje, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, has launched a funding call under the ReLOaD3 to support civil society projects…[more]
EU Call: Civil Society, Human Rights and ESG (South Africa)
Deadline: 23-July-2026
The European Commission is offering grants up to €1.2 million to support civil society organisations in South Africa working on human rights, ESG accountability, and inclusive governance…[more]
Opportunity Fund Grants for Arts, Social and Economic Justice (US)
Deadline: 15-July-2026
The Opportunity Fund is a grant program that supports organizations working in arts and social justice within the Greater Pittsburgh community…[more]
Call for Entries: EU Prize for Journalism (Georgia)
Deadline: 25-September-2026
The EU Prize for Journalism aims to strengthen professionalism and ethical standards in Georgian media. It encourages journalists to produce high-quality content that reflects democratic values and supports public interest reporting…[more]
Call for Applications: Social Justice Small Grants Programme (UK)
Deadline: 05-June-2026
The Social Justice Small Grants Programme supports community groups in Northern Ireland working on human rights, equality, and social justice initiatives…[more]
CFAs: Sustainable Restoration and Revitalization of Cultural Heritage (Slovak Republic)
Deadline: 05-October-2026
Applicants are now invited to submit applications to support projects aimed at the sustainable renewal and revitalization of cultural monuments through adaptive reuse and participatory approaches that respond to local needs…[more]
Call for Applications: BHR Grant Programme (Türkiye)
Deadline: 14-August-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting civil society organisations in Türkiye to strengthen the Business and Human Rights (BHR) framework through advocacy, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder cooperation…[more]
Open Programme Grants for Human Rights and Justice Initiatives (UK)
Deadline: 31-July-2026
The Open Programme provides flexible multi-year funding to organisations in the United Kingdom working to uphold human dignity and advance the rights of marginalised and excluded communities…[more]