Civil society organizations, community-based organizations, networks and coalitions working to defend civic freedoms now have an opportunity to access financial support through a new regional Call for Proposals launched under the Our Rights, Our Future! (OROF) project. The initiative seeks to strengthen organizations advocating for human rights, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, particularly those led by or focused on young people.
Funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium led by ForumCiv alongside COSPE and the Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), the programme operates across nine countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Latin America.
The latest funding opportunity forms part of the project’s Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism, which is designed to empower grassroots organizations and regional networks to expand advocacy efforts, improve collaboration and strengthen civic participation.
Supporting Youth-Led Human Rights Action
The OROF initiative recognizes the increasingly important role played by youth organizations and community movements in defending democratic participation and human rights.
Through the grant programme, successful applicants will receive financial assistance to strengthen transformative actions that promote:
- Freedom of association
- Peaceful assembly
- Human rights protection
- Civic participation
- Community engagement
- Regional collaboration
- Advocacy initiatives
- Capacity strengthening
The programme particularly encourages applications from youth-led organizations and youth-focused networks that are actively working to expand civic space within their respective regions.
Regional Networks Eligible for Funding
Unlike previous funding rounds targeting individual organizations, this Call for Proposals specifically focuses on regional networks and coalitions capable of fostering collaboration across multiple countries.
Eligible organizations are expected to demonstrate the ability to:
- Coordinate advocacy activities across borders.
- Strengthen cooperation among civil society organizations.
- Promote inclusive participation.
- Advance democratic governance.
- Protect civic freedoms.
- Build sustainable regional partnerships.
Applicants should also be prepared to participate in knowledge-sharing activities organized through the project.
Mandatory Peer Exchange Component
An important feature of the programme is the inclusion of a mandatory regional peer exchange or study visit.
Successful grantees will be required to participate in these exchanges, allowing organizations to:
- Share successful advocacy strategies.
- Learn from regional partners.
- Exchange innovative approaches.
- Build stronger international networks.
- Enhance long-term organizational sustainability.
This collaborative learning component aims to ensure that funded organizations benefit not only from financial support but also from practical experience shared across different regions.
Application Resources Available in Four Languages
To improve accessibility, COSPE and its partners have made the complete Call for Proposals available in four languages:
- English
- French
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Applicants can also download proposal templates and annexes in their preferred language, ensuring organizations from different linguistic backgrounds can participate effectively.
In addition, a Questions and Answers document has been published to clarify common issues raised during the application process.
Technical Assistance for Applicants
Organizations requiring clarification regarding the Call for Proposals may submit questions to the project team using the official communication channel.
Applicants are encouraged to follow the required email subject format when submitting inquiries to ensure efficient processing.
The published Questions and Answers document already addresses many frequently raised issues and should be consulted before contacting the project team.
COSPE Continues Expanding Global Civil Society Support
Beyond the OROF funding programme, COSPE continues to manage several international initiatives designed to strengthen civil society organizations around the world.
Among its current opportunities is an open Pool of Consultants in Eswatini, inviting qualified consultants and firms to provide training, mentoring and organizational capacity-building support for civil society organizations. The consultant pool will remain open until 31 December 2028, allowing experts to submit expressions of interest at any time.
COSPE has also continued implementing projects that promote:
- Good governance.
- Human rights protection.
- Gender equality.
- Community empowerment.
- Organizational sustainability.
- Youth entrepreneurship.
- Rural development.
- Environmental sustainability.
These initiatives reflect the organization’s long-standing commitment to supporting local actors capable of driving sustainable social change.
Why the OROF Grants Matter
Across many regions, civil society organizations continue to face shrinking civic space, limited financial resources and increasing challenges to meaningful public participation.
The OROF Financial Support to Third Parties mechanism seeks to address these challenges by investing directly in organizations working at grassroots and regional levels.
By strengthening advocacy capacity, promoting regional cooperation and encouraging youth leadership, the programme aims to create more resilient civic networks capable of defending democratic values and human rights over the long term.
Organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to review the official guidelines carefully and prepare competitive proposals before the application deadline.
As civic participation continues to play a vital role in democratic development, initiatives such as OROF provide an important platform for empowering civil society actors to influence policy, protect fundamental freedoms and foster inclusive governance across multiple regions.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
