Applications are now open for the 15th Round of United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) to support 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 other, more traditional work -- the work with Governments -- to strengthen democratic governance around the world.

Focus Areas

Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, with fewer than two per cent chosen for funding. Projects fall under one or more of eight main areas:

• Gender equality
• Community activism
• Rule of law and human rights
• Youth engagement
• Strengthening civil society interaction with Government
• Media and freedom of information
• Tools for knowledge
• Electoral processes

UNDEF will NOT give priority to project proposals which focus on the following:

• Initiatives which do not promote democracy
• Initiatives filling a funding gap for on-going/regular programs and activities
• Projects focused primarily on research
• Projects that will be co-financed with other donors.

Funding Information

• Grant allocations will be of a minimum of US$100,000 and not exceed US$300,000 for any given project. Applicants must request an amount within this range. The majority of projects are granted no more than $250,000.
• UNDEF grants will be allocated for projects with default duration of two years.

Eligible Beneficiaries

• UNDEF funds projects implemented by non-UN organizations, not individuals, profit-making or government entities. Eligible applicants must be duly constituted nationally or internationally and have legal status.
• At the project proposal stage, you will be required to indicate the type of organization applying for funding:
  • Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations engaged in promoting democracy
  • Independent and Constitutional Bodies,
  • Global and Regional inter-government bodies, organizations and associations other than the United Nations
• UNDEF’s priority is Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations. The organization must be legally constituted. UN accreditation is not a prerequisite to apply for UNDEF funding. UNDEF encourages local CSO’s to submit high quality project proposals.

Priority Countries and Regional Balance

Strong preference will be given to applicants 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 (as per the official classification of the UNOHRLLS), Low Income Countries (“Low Income Economies” as per the World Bank’s official classification based on Gross National Income per capita) and Middle Income Countries (“Lower and Upper Middle-income Economies”, idem).

Local and Global/Regional Projects

UNDEF will invite proposals for projects that either take place in one country only (local) or occur in several specified states of a region or sub-region (regional) or intend to operate at the global level (global). UNDEF will reserve at least 80% of its programmable resources in each funding round for projects taking place in one country and will allocate no more than 20% to global/regional projects.

Assessment Criteria

During the assessment process, project proposals will be assessed based on the following ten assessment criteria:

• The project promotes the objectives of UNDEF
• The project draws on the United Nations’ comparative advantage
• The project will have a significant impact
• The project will encourage inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups
• The project will enhance gender equality
• The project has strong prospects for successful implementation
• The applicant organization has a strong track record
• The project is technically sound in conception and presentation
• The project represents good value for money
• The project has strong prospects of sustainability beyond the project duration.

For more information, visit UNDEF.