Call for Grant Applications -United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
Application Deadline:
28 February 2025
About Organisation
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is dedicated to supporting projects that enhance democratic processes and strengthen civil society worldwide. Established to empower grassroots organizations, UNDEF focuses on initiatives that amplify the voices of marginalized communities, uphold human rights, and encourage civic participation in governance. With a commitment to fostering democracy in transitional and consolidating states, UNDEF prioritizes projects in emerging democracies, post-conflict societies, and low to middle-income nations. Through its competitive grant selection process, the fund provides financial aid to organizations that advocate for gender equality, youth engagement, electoral participation, media freedom, and legal reforms. UNDEF’s funding mechanism supports action-oriented initiatives, emphasizing practical democratic advancements over research-based projects.
About the Grant
UNDEF offers grants to projects that promote democracy, civil liberties, and active civic engagement. Funding is available to initiatives that encourage human rights advocacy, strengthen civil society interactions with government institutions, and enhance media and electoral processes. The grant duration is typically two years, though projects may be completed earlier. Priority is given to proposals from organizations in developing regions and nations undergoing political transitions. UNDEF’s rigorous selection process ensures that only the most impactful proposals receive funding, with less than two percent of applications being successful. The fund does not support projects solely focused on research, training, or ongoing activities seeking supplementary funding.
Who can Apply?
Eligible applicants include civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), independent constitutional bodies, and inter-governmental organizations working on democracy-related initiatives. The primary beneficiaries are local NGOs promoting democratic values and civic engagement. Organizations must be legally registered and capable of managing administrative and financial reporting. Formal networks of NGOs can apply, while informal networks must designate a lead NGO as the primary applicant. Multiple proposals can be submitted per funding round, but it is rare for UNDEF to fund more than one project per organization. While applications from high-income countries are accepted, preference is given to projects from regions transitioning towards democracy, post-conflict societies, and low to middle-income nations.
How to Apply?
Applicants must submit proposals through UNDEF’s online portal during the designated application window. The submission should include project objectives, expected impact, and a clear implementation plan. Organizations are encouraged to prepare in advance by reviewing UNDEF’s guidelines and requirements.
Application Deadline
Applications open from February 1, 2025, and must be submitted by February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Last Date to Apply
February 28, 2025, is the final deadline, with no extensions allowed.
Grant Amount
Eligible applicants can request funding between $100,000 and $200,000 per project.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
