Call Open
OGP is pleased to announce the launch of a call for applications as part of the newly set up 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, the 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. Helen was a great friend and a passionate champion for many causes, including the urgency to (financially) support civil society. As OGP we learned from her skill to hold governments to account with a smile, a willingness to listen, and an offer to help.
With many key donors in the open government space stepping back or reducing their funding, we are seeing the impact on OGP processes in member countries, including the financial strain on civil society. In this pilot call for applications under the HDFCS, the OGP Secretariat will provide eight to ten grants to civil society organizations, 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 OGP processes through a 6- to 18-month implementation period. These grants will provide targeted support for civil society organizations that are driving core OGP processes in OGP members, focusing on where real opportunities are at risk of being lost as part of OGP’s broader response to funding shifts. Applications should be submitted via this web form by July 6, 2025, 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time.
Please share with civil society stakeholders who may be interested and fit the criteria. We look forward to supporting reformers doing the important work of building and advancing open government processes.