CSCF Civil Society Challenge Fund

Overview

Since 1997 DFID has focused its development effort on the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals to eradicate poverty. In order to achieve this, the Department has been engaging directly with a wider range of organisations across civil society both in the UK and in the developing world. It supports them in their role of helping poor and excluded people to enhance their capacity to organise and get their voice heard, and to demand better services and better access to them.

The CSCF is open to any not-for-profit UK-based organisation or network, which shares DFID’s overall goal of poverty eradication. Applicants do not have to be organisations whose primary purpose is international development.

To be eligible to apply for funding you must demonstrate that your organisation or network:

• Has an established and effective relationship with your partner organisation overseas. This link must be more than just a channel for transferring DFID or other UK funds. It must demonstrably add value to the achievement of the project outcomes.
• Has the necessary skills and experience to manage its inputs to the activities proposed;
• Has the capability to account properly for the total project costs

Civil Society Groups and Organisations

• Non-government organisations: The majority of the existing initiatives funded engage primarily with community-based organisations and non-governmental development organisations and these organisations continue to play an important role in the eradication of poverty.
• Membership groups:Some community groups and non-government organisations are democratic membership groups, which can play a specific role in development.
• Faith based groups: Poor people often trust and regard faith based organisations as the most important organisations in local development and we are keen to include such groups within the CSCF.
• Trade Unions: Trade unions are often key democratic organisations and, through securing better conditions for their members, play an important role in tackling the conditions in which poverty thrives.
• Other segments of civil society: There are other important groupings within civil society, such as professional groups, that can play a role in development.

The CSCF supports activities that:

• Improve the capacity of Southern civil society to engage in the local decision-making processes.
• Improve the capacity of Southern civil society to engage in national decision making processes
• Improve national linkages through global advocacy
• Provide inovative service delivery
• Provide service delivery in difficult environments

100% funding up to £500,000 for a maximum of 5 years is available.

How to Apply

There are 2 steps in the application process. Your first step is to submit a Concept Note. If the concept note is approved you will then be invited to move on to Step 2 and submit a Proposal.

Concept Notes: Concept Notes can be submitted by 31 May each year.

Proposals: Proposals must be received no later than 31 July in order to be considered for funding starting the following April.

GT Team - 6 April 2011From DFID Website

Following a ten year evaluation of the Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF), Ministers have considered options for the future of the fund. The Secretary of State has decided that there will be no further funding rounds under this fund. The CSCF will close in 2015 after the completion of ongoing projects. Decisions on the applications for the 2011 funding round will be announced shortly.

DFID is currently reviewing future funding options for the types of work previously funded through the CSCF. The CSCF Evaluation Report and an up-date on funding will be made available on the DFID website shortly.