Irish Aid Grants
Overview
Civil Society Fund
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a long and proud history of supporting Irish international civil society organisations. The Civil Society Fund (CSF) supports overseas development projects which have the potential to contribute to the priorities and in A Better World: Ireland's Policy for International Development A Better World outlines Ireland’s vision of a more equal, peaceful and sustainable world. It charts a clear way forward to achieve this vision, shaping and protecting stability, prosperity, shared interests and common future.
Applications are accepted on an annual basis from Irish and invited international civil society organisations to carry out projects of between one and three years in duration. The process is highly competitive and not all applications will be successful. Interested organisations will firstly need to submit an Eligibility Form. The Department will subsequently inform organisations of their eligibility to apply and eligible organisations will receive the application form.
Their focus is on prioritising gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance. They will focus on areas where Ireland has proven expertise and can make a real difference, including in conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian action, agriculture and nutrition, health, social protection and education.
Development assistance is very broad and complex and it is clear that a multifaceted approach is crucial in assisting the poorest countries in the world. Each grant type is clearly focused on different aspects of development, all of which combine to offer a comprehensive response to the needs of the poorest people and countries in the world.
Funding Priorities
- Ending Poverty
- Gender Equality
- Health
- Governance and Human Rights
- Water and Sanitation
- Hunger
- Environment and Climate Change
- HIV & Aids
- Education
- Trade and Economic Growth
Grant Limits
60% Dependency
Income received from the Department, either directly or indirectly, must not exceed 60% of the overall organisational income of the applicant. This should be calculated based on an average of published audited accounts over the last two years and excludes in-kind income. The grant sought should not exceed this.
Minimum and Maximum Available Grants
The minimum annual grant is €50,000 and maximum annual grant is €400,000, subject to the limit of 60% dependency on the Department.
Percentage Contribution
From 2023, co-funding will no longer be required. The Department will fund up to 100% of annual project costs up to the maximum grant limit.
Indirect Costs
The Department will support indirect costs up to a maximum of 10% of the annual CSF grant. Indirect costs are costs in support of project objectives but not necessarily incurred for the project and as such cannot be readily associated with the project, e.g. these may include administration, financial services and travel and subsistence.
Eligibility & Criteria
Addressing poverty and hunger requires collective action by the global development community. We work closely with selected partners including governments, international organisations, civil society and the private sector in order to ensure lasting improvement in the lives of poor people and poor communities.
They work with:
- Country of Registration: The applicant organisation must be either Irish, or a non-Irish organisation which has received an invitation to apply for funding.
- Charitable Status: Irish applicant organisations must hold a Registered Charity Number for a minimum of two years as of 10 October 2022 and be compliant with the Irish Charities Regulatory Authority annual reporting requirements. International NGOs must be in receipt of a relevant invitation from the Civil Society Fund, registered as charities in the countries of their headquarters for a minimum of two years as of 10 October 2022 and be compliant with the relevant charities regulatory authority (or equivalent) reporting requirements.
- Organisation Focus: Irish applicant organisations must have ongoing operations in Ireland that relate to the direct management and oversight of overseas development projects. International NGOs must have HQ operations that include responsibilities for the direct management and/or oversight of overseas development projects. Missionary organisations and religious orders are not eligible to apply and should instead contact Misean Cara.
- Independence and Added Value: If the organisation is part of a larger international family, it must have its own constitution or governance document and an independent board of trustees (i.e. the board must be locally appointed and be free and able to make independent decisions on strategic and operational issues).
- Tax Clearance Certificate: Irish organisations must submit a Tax Clearance Certificate with the Eligibility Form. Non-Irish organisations must provide an equivalent assurance.
- Funding Status: Applications cannot be accepted from any organisations which have been approved by the Department to receive a grant in 2023 from either the Department of Foreign Affairs Civil Society Fund or Ireland’s Partnership for a Better World (previously the Programme Grant).
- Focus of Work: The areas of intervention by the organisation must meet the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) definition of Official Development Assistance and take place in a country or countries classified by the OECD DAC as eligible for assistance.
- Accounts: The Eligibility Form should be accompanied by full audited accounts for the two financial years prior to application . Accounts must also be available on the organisation’s website prior to the eligibility deadline.
- Record of Compliance: Applicants with a record of non-compliance with the terms of Department contract(s) may not be considered for funding.
- Safeguarding: Applicants must have policies and procedures in place to protect vulnerable and young adults, children, beneficiaries, staff and volunteers, as relevant. Copies of these policies should be submitted along with the Eligibility Form. If it is intended to on-grant some or all of the CSF support to a partner organisation, these must also have relevant policies and procedures in place and copies of these should also be submitted with the
Eligibility Form.