Press Releases

United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) Invitation for Grant Proposals

November 26, 2008

The Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to announce a call for proposals for the third grant round of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).  Applications will be accepted by UNDEF from November 10 through December 31. UNDEF's goal is to fund action-oriented projects that result in tangible improvements in democracy.  There will be an emphasis on gender and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in projects. 

Eligible activities will include supporting democratic dialogue, civil society empowerment, civic education, and improving citizen's access to information. UNDEF will fund projects from $50,000 - $500,000 over a period of 12 to 24 months.

More information is available at the UNDEF website: http://www.undemocracyfund.org under FAQs and Project Proposal Guidelines.

Proposals may be submitted only on the UNDEF Online Facility, not through fax or email, and must be submitted in either English or French.

Background:  In 2004, together with India's Prime Minister Manhohan Singh, President Georges W. Bush called for the creation of a Democracy Fund to promote and strengthen nascent democracies and their civil societies.  Then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announced the creation of this fund in 2005.  UNDEF's first grant round included funding for over 120 projects around the world.  Some 83 projects with a value of $24 million were funded in the 2007-2008 grant period. 

The UN Democracy Fund remains a high U.S. Government priority that furthers U.S. interest in increasing cooperation among democratic countries to promote human rights and freedom, especially through strengthening support for civil society.

The U.S. is a member of UNDEF's Advisory Board and has contributed over $24 million to the fund so far.  As a member of the Board, the U.S. is able to review all project proposals submitted to UNDEF and advise the Secretary General on which projects should be funded.