The United Nations Democracy Fund Grants

Deadline: 31 December 2011
Open to: NGOs working for the promotion of democracy, civil society empowerment, including empowerment of women, civic education
Grant: $50,000 up to $500,000 depending on the project

Description

UNDEF was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world. UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations — both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. In this way, UNDEF plays a novel and unique role in complementing the UN’s traditional work — the work with Governments — to strengthen democratic governance around the world. UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments; in 2010, it surpassed 110 million dollars in contributions and now counts 39 countries as donors, including many middle- and low-income States in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In four Rounds of Funding so far, UNDEF has supported a total of more than 330 projects in more than 110 countries. UNDEF projects are two years long and fall under one or more of six main areas:

· Community development
· Rule of law and human rights
· Tools for democratization
· Women
· Youth
· Media

Grant

UNDEF grants range from US$50,000 to US$500,000 and it is offered usually for the period of 2 years. Applications are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, as UNDEF receives an average of about 2,000 applications a year and only some 60-70 are selected. Besides, UNDEF allocates 70% of its programmable resources in each funding round for projects that take place in one country while the rest of the 30% is for global/regional projects. This means that local NGOs have better chances of receiving grants for their projects than international organizations working in different regions.

Eligibility

Eligible are NGOs working for the promotion of democracy, civil society empowerment, including empowerment of women, civic education and voter registration, citizen’s access to information, participation rights and the rule of law in support of civil society and transparency and integrity. NGOs, civil society organizations, independent and constitutional bodies and global and regional inter-government bodies, organizations and associations (other than the United Nations) are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

Applicants from all countries can submit project proposals, but UNDEF will give strong preference to proposals submitted from countries and regions where the challenges of democracy are more critical, such as countries emerging from conflict, new and restored democracies, the Least Developed Countries, Low Income Countries and Middle Income Countries.

How to apply?

In order to apply successfully, you need to have a project proposal explaining why you are the eligible one to receive a grant (in order to download the project proposal guidelines, please click here). To display the website dedicated to application process, please click here.

UNDEF has developed a robust selection process which is highly rigorous and competitive. The various further stages of the selection process include:
1. Online Project Proposal System (OPPS)
The Online Project Proposal System (OPPS) is an on-line system that allows prospective grantees to submit their applications to UNDEF electronically. The OPPS can be accessed at the UNDEF website at www.un.org/democracyfund. Applications can only be submitted through our OPPS during the appliation period in the Fall. All applications must be completed in English or French. Applications submitted by e-mail, regular post, facsimile, diplomatic or UN pouch, hand or courier delivery or any other channel will NOT be considered.
2. “Long” Short-List
Proposals are subjected to a thorough process of assessment, quality control and due diligence. The UNDEF team then narrows down the list to 200-300 of the highest scoring projects. In doing so, the global and regional projects is considered separately from the various national project proposals and are considered within the respective global and regional baskets.

3. Short-List
This list is then be examined by the Fund’s Programme Consultative Group — comprising the Department of Political Affairs, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Development Programme, the UN Development Fund for Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime — in consultation with United Nations Resident Coordinators in each country concerned were invited.
4. Secretary-General
The Secretary-General, assisted by the Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, takes the final decision on the basis of recommendations from the Advisory Board.
5. Project Document
Decisions on the selection of projects to be funded are considered “approvals in principle”. Final approval depends upon successful finalisation of a full project document. The project document must be completed within 6 weeks of the notification of the “approval in principle”. Failure of the applicant to comply with this deadline may result in UNDEF not going ahead with the grant. Extended deadlines may be granted on an exceptional basis to especially complex projects by UNDEF Office.

By early June, all successful short-listed applicants are notified at the electronic address indicated in their application, unless otherwise advised on the UNDEF website. UNDEF does not have the resources to individually advise unsuccessful applicants.

In order to apply, please click here. The deadline for all the application is 31 December 2011.

Contacts

The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
1 United Nations Plaza, Room DC1-1300
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: +1 212 963 3399
Tel: +1 917 367 8062
Fax: +1 212 963 1486
Email: democracyfund@un.org     

The Official Website