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

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Helen Darbishire Fund for Civil Society (HDFCS), designed to strengthen open government processes and reforms across OGP member countries. Named in honor of Helen Darbishire, the late human rights and access to information champion, and former OGP Steering Committee member, this fund aims to enhance civil society capacity and multi-stakeholder collaboration to help sustain OGP processes and deliver more ambitious reforms in critical areas of open government.

The OGP Secretariat is launching a focused 2025 call for applications under the HDFCS, as part of OGP’s response to a diminishing funding landscape for the broader OGP community in light of recent cuts to bilateral aid and beyond.

In this pilot iteration, the OGP Secretariat will provide eight to ten grants, primarily between 10,000 USD to 25,000 USD (with grants of up to a maximum of 50,000 USD in extraordinary circumstances), seeking to support initiatives that support core OGP processes through a 6- to 18-month implementation period. These grants are intended to be shorter-term and outcome-focused. The total number of grants given will be dependent on available funding.

More details provided below.

• The call is open to civil society organizations (CSOs) in OGP’s 74 member countries, targeted towards countries where there is limited resourcing and where there is a financial need for OGP processes to succeed. Please note that CSOs in member countries with currently open cases under the OGP Response Policy, Rapid Response Protocol, or CSOs in member countries currently failing the OGP Values Check are not eligible to apply.
• CSOs must be legally registered not-for-profit organizations in their country.
  • Applications from consortia of domestic CSOs, with a designated lead CSO, are also eligible to apply, clearly demonstrating roles and responsibilities. Please note that no more than one grant will be approved in any given country.
• Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record of supporting OGP processes—either through contributing to their country’s national action plan or by actively participating in their country’s OGP multi-stakeholder forum (MSF).

To help the selection committee assess the relevance and need, applicants are strongly encouraged to include only one of the following (listed in order of preference) with their application:

• A letter of support from their national MSF
• A letter of support from their OGP Point of Contact or a high-level government lead

Applications with such endorsements will receive preference in making award decisions.

The aim of these grants is to support core OGP processes in member countries with limited financial resourcing, focused on where real opportunities are at risk of being lost. The grants are intended to provide support for civil society organizations in countries where there is limited resourcing and where there is a financial need for OGP processes to succeed.

Applications must clearly demonstrate:

1. The expected impact of how the grant will help to sustain or advance OGP processes in an OGP member country, clearly outlining how a lack of funding will or is impacting OGP reforms in the country.
2. The applicant CSO’s (or consortium’s) implementation capacity and feasibility of approach, including its ability to engage relevant stakeholders in the country’s broader OGP ecosystem.
3. The applicant CSO’s (or consortium’s) sustainability strategy, particularly in light of the financial need in the domestic context.

• OGP member contexts and needs are diverse, and these grants are intended to be flexible, depending on the needs and circumstances of domestic CSOs.
  • Most successful applications will be granted between 10,000 USD to 25,000 USD, for project durations ranging from 6-12 months.
  • There will only be a very limited number of successful applications granted at the total maximum amount of 50,000 USD, depending on the country and project design, and these will likely be for the maximum duration of 18 months.
• Applicants who intend to use the grant funding alongside existing funding for similar activities should specify how funding from a HDFCS grant will fill a gap and complement existing funding.

This call will prioritize organizations that are improving collaboration during co-creation and implementation of countries’ OGP national action plans, by making them more inclusive and responsive to citizen needs. Organizations should show their ability to convene government and civil society stakeholders to strengthen OGP action plans and commitments.

Applications will be assessed by a diverse committee composed of a mix of OGP Support Unit staff and external representatives. This committee will bring a necessary knowledge of OGP countries where there are windows of opportunity, regional contexts, technical expertise in open government reform, and understanding of effective civil society engagement.

• Applications must be submitted in English, Spanish or French.
• Completed applications should be submitted via the application form by July 6, 2025, 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time. Only applications submitted through the online website will be considered.
• Please reach out with any questions or clarifications to [email protected] by June 20, 2025.
• Following a review process, the OGP Support Unit will announce funding decisions by mid to late August 2025.
• Upon selection, projects can start as early as September 2025. Projects will be implemented between a duration of six to eighteen months.