CJIFA 2025 Community Empowerment Grant Program For Africans
CJIFA is pleased to announce the launch of its 2025 Community Empowerment Grant Program in Africa. This initiative aims to foster local engagement in climate awareness, action, and sustainable development. By empowering grassroots organizations and community groups, the program seeks to implement transformative ideas that bridge the gap between innovation and practical solutions, driving change from the community to the national and regional levels.
A. Small Grant Scheme Objectives
The Small Grant Scheme is designed to support high-impact, market-driven climate finance initiatives in developing economies across Africa. These grants recognize the diverse capacities of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and local NGOs in utilizing limited resources effectively.
B. Overall Objectives:
Expand Climate Dialogue.
Build a broader and deeper national conversation on climate change and its impacts on African communities.
Enhance Accountability.
Encourage grassroots organizations to advocate for improved service delivery in economic, social, and cultural rights while promoting the rule of law and human rights.
Empower Marginalized Groups.
Strengthen CBOs and similar organizations in advocating for human rights, with a focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Eligible Countries
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Rwanda, Niger, Cameroon, Malawi, Tunisia, Botswana, Uganda, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cote D’lvoire, Liberia, Mauritius, Egypt, Tanzania & Morocco.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered not-for-profit, non-religious, non-governmental, and non-political entity.
- Actively operate at the grassroots level for 1 to 3 years.
- Include youth-led, women-led, and marginalized group organizations.
- Demonstrate inclusive, sustainable, and innovative project ideas.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Innovation: Creative and impactful climate justice initiatives.
- Catalytic Potential: Contributions to climate mitigation or adaptation with scalability.
- Mobilization: Ability to engage governments and private sectors.
- Sustainability: Focus on socio-cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability.
- Inclusivity: Involvement of women, youth, PLWD, minority groups, and indigenous people.
Ineligible Applications
The following entities are not eligible:
- Individuals
- For-profit businesses
- Religious institutions
- Political parties
- Government entities
- International NGOs
- Organizations with an annual income exceeding USD 80,000
- Organizations headquartered outside eligible countries
Thematic Focus Area
Applicants must address climate resilience and environmental sustainability while focusing on one or more of the following themes:
- Democracy and Rule of Law: Promote good governance, fight corruption, and increase access to justice.
- Equality and Non-Discrimination: Advocate for women’s rights, prevent gender-based violence, and foster inclusion and diversity.
- Business and Human Rights: Address environmental and climate justice and corporate accountability.
- Economic Empowerment: Enhance skills development and promote innovative local product marketing.
Funding Information
- Grant Amounts: Grants range from USD 5,000 to 8,000 per organization.
- Duration: Projects must be implemented within 6 to 12 months.
- Renewability: Grants are awarded annually, with the possibility of multi-year renewal.
- Criteria: Projects must demonstrate prudence, sustainability, high impact, and cost-effectiveness.
How to Apply
- Interested applicants, kindly visit CJIFA Official website
- Fill out the form in in all the spaces provided
- Fill out the attached Word template, watching out for the provided word limits in each section.
- Fill out the attached Excel-based Budget template to accompany your submission.
- Fill out the attached Proposal template, watching out for the provided word limits in each section.
- Please, upload the attachments to the relevant fields on the form below after filling them