What is UNDEF?

UNDEF

UNDEF was established by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world. UNDEF funding projects include empowering civil society, promoting human rights, and encouraging the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The main funding areas of UNDEF are community development, media, rule of law and human rights, tools for democratization, women, and youth.

What is the grant range?

Grants range from US$100,000 to US$300,000. The funding areas are:

  • Support for Electoral Processes
  • Women’s Empowerment
  • Media and Freedom of Information
  • Rule of Law and Human Rights
  • Strengthening Civil Society Interaction with Government
  • Youth Engagement

Who can apply?

The following institutions are eligible for UNDEF grant funding:

  • Civil society organizations and Non-Governmental organizations are engaged in promoting democracy. These are anticipated to receive the bulk of the funding.
  • Independent and Constitutional Bodies, including Election Commissions, Ombudsman Institutions, National Human Rights Institutions, and other independent governance bodies, for project proposals facilitating the inclusion of the voice of civil society.
  • Global and regional inter-government bodies, organizations, and associations other than the United Nations for project proposals that strengthen the voice of civil society.

UNDEF’s priority is civil society organizations and Non-Governmental organizations, and the majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations, both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. The organization must be legally constituted.

Check the proposal guidelines here.

What are my chances?

UNDEF receives an average of about 2,000-3,000 proposals a year and only some 50 are selected.

In March 2023, UNDEF received 1,872 project proposals from organizations in 133 countries. Short-listed -34 projects for the 17th Round of funding totaling over $8 million. Proposals originated from Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa, adding further to the growth the Fund has experienced since its creation in 2005 and bringing the total number of projects supported by the Fund to more than 970. Projects fall under one or more of six areas: the rule of law and human rights, youth engagement, women’s empowerment, support to electoral processes, strengthening civil society‘s capacity for interaction with government, and media and freedom of information.

How much is the grant funding?

NGOs can apply for funds ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 in size. The average project is $250,000. However, in the grants database, project funding ranges from $50,000 to $500,000. The likely explanation for this is that grant sizes can be negotiated after the acceptance stage. This does not mean applicants should initially ask for more or less money than the range listed on the application page.

How should I apply?

Online only!

Project proposals submitted by e-mail, regular post, facsimile, diplomatic or UN pouch, hand or courier delivery, or any other channel will NOT be considered. Neither will project proposals in any language other than English or French.

When should I submit?

Check the deadlines on the UNDEF Funding program. The funding call starts from November to December every year. Visit here to learn more: https://www.un.org/democracyfund/apply-for-funding

When will I hear if I made it?

The long lists produced by the team of independent assessors are examined by the Fund’s Programme Consultative Group which is later reviewed by the UNDEF Advisory Board. The final shortlist is submitted to the UN Secretary-General for approval. Usually in April or May, the final shortlisted are announced. A grantee should negotiate a contract that ends in August at the earliest.

UNDEF projects

To view summaries of existing UNDEF projects, go to: http://www.un.org/democracyfund/projects 

Things to remember!

UNDEF funds projects, not organizations. Your project proposal should be reasonably innovative and distinct from the activity you already conduct. Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process. Projects fall under one or more of six main areas: 

  • Women empowerment 
  • Rule of law and human rights 
  • Youth engagement 
  • Strengthening civil society interaction with the Government
  • Media and freedom of information 
  • Electoral processes (focusing on elections scheduled for 2024 at the earliest)

Final Tips

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 the field shortlists the project so if you know them, it may help.

Not likely to be very confrontational with the government.

If in New York you can sometimes visit UNDEF.

Good luck!

Check out the UNDEF sample proposal here and increase your chance of getting fund: https://proposalsforngos.com/sample/sample-proposal-united-nations-democracy-fund-undef/