Press release
Minister Fleming invites applications to Civil Society Fund
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming, seeks applications to Irish Aid’s 2024 Civil Society Fund competition and announced an increase in the maximum available annual grant. The Fund supports NGOs to implement projects in countries which are eligible for overseas development assistance.
Inviting applications, Minister Fleming said:
"The Civil Society Fund supports NGOs to carry out development projects in over forty countries around the world. Their work, in areas like education, health, human rights and peacebuilding, is helping those most in need to build better lives.
"I am particularly pleased to announce today that the maximum available annual Civil Society Fund grant will double to €800,000. In addition, the maximum project duration will increase from three to five years.
"During my recent visits overseas, I have seen first-hand the challenges experienced by our NGO partners, who are working in increasingly complex situations. In order to effectively address these issues, more long-term, predictable funding is necessary. As such, I am confident that these changes to the Civil Society Fund will support the vital work of relevant international NGOs to help them make sustainable improvements to the lives of the most vulnerable."
Minister Fleming added:
"I look forward to yet again receiving high quality applications for funding which will help us continue to address the needs of those furthest behind."
The call for proposals to the 2024 Civil Society Fund opens today. The closing date for receipt of Eligibility Forms is 2 October 2023.
Notifications of eligibility will issue in late-October 2023, with application forms to follow by email to eligible organisations. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1 December 2023.
Ireland’s Overseas Development Assistance Programme is managed by the Development Cooperation and Africa Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs. For further information see www.irishaid.ie
Ireland’s international development policy, ‘A Better World’, is guided by an overarching commitment to reaching the furthest behind first, with a focus on: prioritising gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action, and strengthening governance. Further information can be found at www.irishaid.ie
The Civil Society Fund (CSF) primarily supports Irish NGOs – mainly small to medium sized organisations - to carry out specific development projects overseas. A limited number of international NGOs working on human rights are also invited to apply. The total allocation for the fund in 2023 was €6 million and the maximum available grant for successful applicants was €400,000.
The new initiatives announced today will see the maximum available CSF grant increase to €800,000 per annum from 2024 and the multi-annual timeframe will also increase from three to five years. The changes will ensure there is greater alignment between the CSF and the department’s scheme for larger development NGOs Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World (ICSP).