Funding Sources for Cultural Initiatives in ACP Countries

Who can receive a grant?In order to be considered for grants under the Commonwealth Associations Grants Programme, anAssociation must:Be accredited to the CommonwealthHave membership in at least 25 Commonwealth countries and in all regions (Caribbean andCanada, Europe, East and Southern Africa, West Africa, Asia and Pacific) of theCommonwealthHave representatives from Commonwealth countries in at least three different regions on itsgoverning bodyBe run according to accepted standards of good governance, including meeting therequirements of its constitutionHave a membership fee/journal subscription income of €125,000 (£110,000) or less(calculated as an average over the three years prior to the application)Types of grant supportThere are two types of Commonwealth Association Grants: Core funding is available to support the running of your organisation. Activity funding is available for activities that involve the participation of people andorganisations from more than one developing Commonwealth Foundation member country.We can pay for the costs of supporting participants or resource people in activities. This oftenincludes the cost of airfares, accommodation and subsistence, though we will also contributetowards the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of an activity.Grant sizeAround 20 associations accredited to the Commonwealth benefit each year from funding in the formof annual grants. These grants are designed to support those professional membership associationswhich have limited financial resources.The maximum total grant that can be applied for in any one financial year is €30,000 (£25,000). Withinthis, the maximum core funding amount that can be applied for is €15,000 (£12,500).Examples of recent grantsIn 2010, €23,000 was awarded to Commonwealth Broadcasting Association for the Travel Bursary Programme for Broadcasters Development Journalism: Sports Reporting Workshop at the Commonwealth Games, NewDelhi, India Conference on the Media and Social Justice - what role in the Commonwealth?,Johannesburg, South AfricaIn 2009, 39 projects received funding. The amount of the grants ranged from €6,000 (£5,000) to€12,000 (£10,000).Application procedureAll applicants must complete the application form. Applications must be submitted by email to Ms.Shabinah Ossman, Grants Administrator, at s.ossman@commonwealth.int.Please note that if necessary for assessment, Foundation staff may request Operational and StrategicPlans.RestrictionsWe cannot support associations which: Have membership income exceeding £100,000 Do not have membership in all five regions of the Commonwealth Do not have at least three Commonwealth regions represented on their governing body.15