Call for Applications: Open Programme Grants (UK)

The AB Charitable Trust (ABCT) Open Programme provides grants to organisations working in human rights-related areas, including access to justice, criminal legal system reform, penal reform, and support for migrants and refugees. Eligible organisations can receive £10,000 to £40,000 per year for one to three years, with unrestricted funding provided wherever possible.

Overview of the AB Charitable Trust Open Programme

The AB Charitable Trust Open Programme supports organisations working to protect human rights and address social justice challenges through advocacy, services, research, and community-based activities.

The programme provides flexible financial support to organisations whose work aligns with ABCT’s strategic funding priorities. The Trust aims to provide unrestricted funding wherever possible, allowing organisations to use grants where they are most needed.

Funding supports organisations working across key human rights areas, including:

Human rights protection.
Access to justice.
Criminal legal system reform.
Penal reform.
Support for migrants and refugees.

Purpose of the ABCT Open Programme

The programme aims to strengthen organisations that address inequality, protect vulnerable communities, and promote fair access to rights and justice.

ABCT recognises that organisations working in human rights often require flexible funding to:

Continue essential services.
Build organisational capacity.
Respond to emerging challenges.
Strengthen advocacy efforts.
Develop long-term solutions.

ABCT Funding Priorities

The Open Programme focuses on four major areas.

Human Rights Framework

Funding supports organisations working to:

Protect fundamental rights.
Challenge human rights violations.
Promote equality and dignity.
Strengthen rights-based approaches.

Access to Justice

The programme supports initiatives that improve:

Legal support.
Access to legal information.
Fair treatment within justice systems.
Support for people facing barriers to justice.

Criminal Legal System and Penal Reform

Eligible organisations may work on:

Criminal justice reform.
Prison reform.
Reducing inequalities within legal systems.
Improving outcomes for affected communities.

Migrants and Refugees

Funding supports organisations working with:

Migrant communities.
Refugees.
People seeking protection.
Communities experiencing barriers due to migration status.

Grant Amount and Duration

ABCT Open Programme grants are generally awarded at:

£10,000 to £40,000 per year

Grant duration:

Minimum: 1 year
Maximum: 3 years

The Trust prioritises unrestricted funding, meaning successful organisations may have flexibility in using funds to support their core work and organisational needs.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be:

Organisations working in ABCT’s priority funding areas.
Organisations whose activities align with the Trust’s human rights and social justice objectives.
Organisations able to complete the online application process.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Clear human rights impact.
Alignment with ABCT priorities.
Organisational ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.
The importance of their work for affected communities.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Organisations that do not work within ABCT’s priority areas may not be eligible.

Applicants should review the full eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

Why This Funding Matters

Human rights organisations often work with communities facing complex social, legal, and economic challenges.

Flexible funding from ABCT helps organisations:

Maintain critical programmes.
Support vulnerable populations.
Strengthen advocacy campaigns.
Improve access to justice.
Respond to changing community needs.
Build sustainable operations.

Unrestricted grants are particularly valuable because they allow organisations to allocate resources where they have the greatest impact.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, organisations should confirm that:

Their work matches ABCT funding priorities.
Their activities focus on human rights-related issues.
They meet application requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Application Information

Applicants should provide information about:

Organisation background.
Mission and objectives.
Human rights work.
Target communities.
Funding requirements.
Expected impact.

Step 3: Submit Online Application

Applications must be submitted through ABCT’s online application form.

Applicants who experience difficulties with the online process may request alternative support options.

Step 4: Participate in Review Process

Selected applicants may be contacted for:

Additional information.
Phone discussions.
Meetings with the Trust team.

Application Review Process

ABCT follows a multi-stage assessment process.

Eligibility Review

After the application deadline, applications are reviewed to confirm eligibility.

Longlisting Assessment

Eligible applications are assessed against ABCT’s strategic framework through a two-stage review process conducted by the ABCT team.

Shortlisting Review

Applications that progress are reviewed during a shortlisting meeting involving:

ABCT Board Members.
ABCT team members.

Final Assessment

The final review may include:

Additional questions.
Phone calls.
Meetings with applicants.

Final funding decisions are made by the ABCT Grants Committee.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

Clearly explaining their human rights impact.
Showing alignment with ABCT priorities.
Describing the communities they support.
Explaining why flexible funding is important.
Providing evidence of previous achievements.
Demonstrating organisational sustainability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying for activities outside ABCT priority areas.
Providing unclear descriptions of their work.
Failing to explain community impact.
Submitting incomplete applications.
Ignoring eligibility requirements.
Focusing only on activities without explaining outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AB Charitable Trust Open Programme?

The AB Charitable Trust Open Programme provides grants to organisations working in human rights-related fields, including justice, criminal legal reform, and support for migrants and refugees.

How much funding can organisations receive?

Eligible organisations can generally receive between £10,000 and £40,000 per year for a period of one to three years.

Does ABCT provide unrestricted funding?

Yes. ABCT aims to provide unrestricted funding wherever possible, allowing organisations flexibility in using grant funds.

Who can apply for ABCT Open Programme grants?

Organisations working within ABCT’s priority areas, including human rights, access to justice, criminal legal reform, penal reform, and migrant and refugee support, can apply.

What areas does ABCT prioritise?

ABCT prioritises organisations working on human rights frameworks, access to justice, criminal legal system reform, penal reform, and issues affecting migrants and refugees.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are reviewed through eligibility checks, strategic assessment, longlisting, shortlisting, and final review by the ABCT Grants Committee.

Can organisations receive multi-year funding?

Yes. Grants may be awarded for one to three years depending on the organisation, proposal, and funding decision.

Conclusion

The AB Charitable Trust Open Programme provides flexible financial support for organisations advancing human rights and social justice. By funding organisations working on access to justice, criminal legal reform, and support for migrants and refugees, ABCT helps strengthen efforts to protect rights and create fairer communities. Eligible organisations aligned with ABCT’s priorities are encouraged to apply through the online application process.