Civil Society Challenge Fund

Please note that the CSCF guidelines for the 2011 funding round are currently under review. The fund objectives will remain the same - but some of the forms and management processes may be tweaked slightly in response to feedback from stakeholders and to improve efficiency.

There will be a change to the start date for submission of concept notes which will now be 1st April. The deadline of 31st May will remain unchanged. This responds to our experience that the vast majority of applicants submit their Concept Notes in the last month before the deadline, and most on the last day.

If you are thinking about applying for the CSCF 2011 funding round, you can still use the current criteria and guidelines to start preparing your bid. However, please be sure you check the DFID website for the revised versions of the CSCF guidelines and forms before you submit your Concept Note. We aim to publish these at the beginning of March 2010.

 

Introduction

The CSCF supports activities that: 

  • improve the capacity of Southern civil society to engage in the local decision-making processes
  • improve the capacity of Southern civil society to engage in national decision making processes 
  • improve national linkages through global advocacy 
  • provide innovative service delivery 
  • provide service delivery in difficult environments

Funding available per activity

The CSCF can provide up to £500,000 for a maximum of 5 years. Projects where the UK organisation has secured a degree of funding from other sources or is making a contribution of its own are welcomed, however. Up to 100% will be considered where no other funding is available.

Eligible organisations

The fund is suitable for UK-based, non-profit organisations.

Deadlines

The deadline for receipt of Concept Notes is 31 May and the deadline for full proposals is 31 July. Funding for successful projects will be from the following April.

Responsible DFID Department

Civil Society Department, Policy and Research Division

Enquiries about the CSCF

Triple Line Consulting Limited is contracted to assess CSCF proposals and performance on behalf of the Civil Society Department. Any questions about the CSCF should be addressed to Triple Line. Their contact details are as follows:

Triple Line Consulting Limited
3 Princeton Court
55 Felsham Road
Putney
London SW15 1AZ

Tel: 0208 788 4666

Email: cscf@tripleline.com

Last updated: 11 Dec 2009