Overview of Responsive Grants Scheme

One of the ways in which the Commonwealth Foundation works to fulfil its mission and objectives is by making grants to civil society organisations in Commonwealth Foundation member countries. This section of the website provides information about the Foundation's civil society responsive grants programme. It sets out what activities the Foundation can and cannot support, what the current priorities of the programme are, and how to apply for a grant.

Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. The deadlines for receiving grant applications are 30 June, 30 September, 31 December and 31 March.


About the Commonwealth Foundation

The Commonwealth Foundation is an inter-governmental organisation resourced by and reporting to Commonwealth governments. Its mission is to promote and strengthen civil society's role in sustainable development and democracy in the Commonwealth.

The Vision of the Commonwealth Foundation is as follows:

Commonwealth civil society contributing to national and international goals for democracy, sustainable development and cultural diversity for the benefit of all people

In this context the Mission Statement of the Commonwealth Foundation is:

"We work to enhance the role of civil society organisations in governance, democracy, sustainable development and culture by strengthening their institutional and human capacity, and creating opportunity and space for partnership, participation, advice and leadership, thereby achieving lasting improvements in the lives of Commonwealth people."

One way in which the Foundation achieves its aims is through providing grants that enable people from the Commonwealth to participate in activities such as short training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, cultural festivals, exchanges and study visits in other Commonwealth countries.

Programmes of work and grant making principles

The Commonwealth Foundation's projects are divided into three areas: Governance and Democracy; Sustainable Development; and Culture and Diversity. Grants are awarded under each of the programmes. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how the activity for which funding is being sought meets the priorities of one of the Foundation's programmes. Reference should be made to the Foundation's Annual Workplan and Strategic Plan (available in the Downloadable Publications section of the Foundation's website).

The Foundation's objectives under each of the programmes are to:

Governance and Democracy

  • contribute to the development of knowledge and skills on good governance.
  • improve the institutional framework, space and operating environment of civil society organisations in the Commonwealth
  • provide support for networks and regional, national and pan-Commonwealth coalitions working to influence policy and practice.
  • strengthen and support civil society advocacy on issues and themes around Commonwealth ministerial meetings and global governmental processes
  • strengthen civil society capacity to participate in and influence debates on trade and debt relief

Sustainable Development
  • promote civil society-led networking and multi-sectoral initiatives in the aimed at halting and minimising the impact of HIV/AIDS in the Commonwealth;
  • expand access to primary and secondary education for girls across the Commonwealth;
  • increase awareness and engagement of Commonwealth citizens in policy and actions aimed at adapting to the imminent impacts of climate change and disaster

Culture and Diversity
  • increase understanding and appreciation of and between different cultures;
  • recognise talents and increase exposure of cultural practitioners;
  • support the increased use of cultural actions towards development and governance; and
  • strengthen the capacity of cultural organisations 

Gender and youth

All applicants will be expected to demonstrate that the activity for which they are applying for funding, and the organisation which will benefit, will address issues of gender and youth. Gender and youth dimensions are understood to encompass:

  • equitable participation in the activity for which funding is being sought;
  • activities addressing a gender or youth issue, or which include a component which addresses a gender or youth issue;
  • participation in the governance of the organisation

Voter education activities

Applicants applying for funding for activities focused on the provision of education and information for voters in local and national elections will be expected to complete a second application form.  This form is available as a Word document, or as part of the web-based application form.