OGP’s Helen Darbishire Fund for Civil Society 2025-27

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) has launched the Helen Darbishire Fund for Civil Society (HDFCS) to support open government processes and reforms in OGP member countries. This initiative is named in honor of Helen Darbishire, a dedicated advocate for human rights and access to information, and a former member of the OGP Steering Committee. The fund is intended to bolster the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at sustaining and advancing OGP processes. It emerges as a strategic response to recent declines in funding availability for the OGP community due to cuts in bilateral aid and other financial streams. The 2025 call for applications under this fund seeks to provide targeted financial support to civil society initiatives that directly contribute to OGP’s core processes. The grants will focus on projects that can achieve significant outcomes over a 6- to 18-month period. OGP anticipates awarding between eight and ten grants, with funding amounts generally ranging from 10,000 USD to 25,000 USD. In exceptional cases, grants of up to 50,000 USD may be awarded. The exact number of grants will depend on available resources. Eligible applicants include legally registered, not-for-profit civil society organizations operating within OGP’s 74 member countries, particularly in contexts where financial support for OGP processes is limited or at risk. CSOs from countries with open cases under the OGP Response Policy or Rapid Response Protocol, or those failing the OGP Values Check, are not eligible. CSOs applying must demonstrate an established track record of contributing to their country’s OGP national action plan or participating actively in their OGP multi-stakeholder forum (MSF). Consortia of domestic CSOs, led by a designated organization, are also eligible, with the stipulation that only one grant will be awarded per country. Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of support from their national MSF, an OGP Point of Contact, or a high-level government lead. Preference will be given to applications with such endorsements. The fund’s primary aim is to support and sustain OGP processes in financially constrained environments, particularly where there is a risk of losing key reform opportunities. Proposals should articulate the potential impact of the grant on sustaining or advancing OGP processes, outline the applicant’s implementation capacity, and present a viable sustainability strategy. Applications must be submitted in English, Spanish, or French using the online application form by July 6, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. Questions or requests for clarification can be directed to hdfcsfund@opengovpartnership.org by June 20, 2025. Funding decisions will be communicated by mid to late August 2025. Selected projects may begin as early as September 2025 and will be implemented over a period ranging from six to eighteen months. The selection process will prioritize projects that enhance collaboration in the co-creation and implementation of national action plans, foster inclusivity, and promote responsiveness to citizen needs.

Preference is given to applications with support letters and to organizations that can convene stakeholders and strengthen OGP action plans.