Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants 2026: Up to US$15,000 for Grassroots Peace, Democracy and Justice Initiatives

Applications are now open for the Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants 2026, a funding opportunity supporting locally driven initiatives that protect democracy while advancing peace, justice, equality and nonviolence.

Launched by the American Friends Service Committee, the programme seeks to invest in community-led ideas that encourage dialogue, strengthen networks of solidarity and respond creatively to emerging threats to peace and democratic participation.

The initiative is rooted in Quaker values and reflects the belief that meaningful, sustainable change often begins within communities themselves. By funding grassroots organisations and movements, the programme aims to amplify local voices, encourage collaboration and support innovative approaches to building more peaceful and just societies.

Funding is listed at approximately US$10,000 to US$15,000 per award, with up to 10 grants expected to be awarded. Applicants should consult the official application materials to confirm the exact maximum amount available for each project.

The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026.

About the Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants

The Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants programme supports community-based responses to growing political, social and humanitarian challenges.

Across many regions, communities are experiencing democratic backsliding, rising militarism, shrinking civic space and the weakening of international norms and institutions. These challenges can make it harder for communities to participate in public life, protect human rights or organise peaceful responses to injustice.

The grant programme aims to help local actors respond to these conditions through practical, community-led activities.

Rather than imposing a single model, the programme welcomes locally developed ideas that reflect the needs, experience and priorities of the communities involved.

Supported initiatives may focus on building trust, improving dialogue, strengthening civic participation, protecting vulnerable communities or creating new partnerships across civil society, peacebuilding, humanitarian, faith-based and organising networks.

Purpose of the Small Seed Grants Programme

The programme is designed to catalyse innovative initiatives that may begin on a relatively small scale but have the potential to produce meaningful local or regional impact.

Its main purposes include:

• Protecting and strengthening democratic participation
• Advancing peace, justice and nonviolence
• Supporting community resilience
• Encouraging dialogue across social or political divisions
• Strengthening solidarity among movements and organisations
• Responding to emerging threats to democracy and peace
• Supporting innovative grassroots ideas
• Improving collaboration between civic, humanitarian and peacebuilding actors
• Amplifying the voices of communities affected by injustice or conflict

The programme recognises that community organisations often understand local conditions better than external institutions. Small grants can therefore provide flexible support for initiatives that are timely, relevant and grounded in lived experience.

Grant Amount and Number of Awards

The funding announcement indicates that awards may range up to approximately:

US$10,000 to US$15,000 per project

Up to 10 awards may be granted.

Applicants should prepare a realistic budget in United States dollars and ensure that all proposed costs directly support the project’s activities and expected outcomes.

The announcement does not specify whether every selected project will receive the same amount. Funding decisions may therefore depend on the scope of the proposed initiative, the strength of the budget and the assessment of the review committee.

Important Programme Dates

Applicants should note the following timeline:

• Call for proposals launched: 16 July 2026
• Application deadline: 15 September 2026
• Grant awards expected: 1 November 2026
• Implementation period: 1 November 2026–31 July 2027

Projects should therefore be designed for implementation within approximately nine months.

Applicants should make sure their proposed activities, timeline and budget are realistic for this period.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is intended for local organisations and community-led initiatives working to advance peace, democracy, justice, nonviolence and resilience.

Eligible applicants include:

• Local organisations
• Community-based organisations
• Faith-based organisations
• Grassroots groups
• Feminist organisations and movements
• Youth-led movements
• Organisations working with communities affected by conflict or injustice
• Civil society groups aligned with Quaker values

Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed work and the programme’s priorities.

The call particularly encourages applications from feminist groups, grassroots organisations and youth movements.

Geographic Scope

The grants are restricted to partners in the Global South.

This may include eligible organisations based in regions such as:

• Africa
• Asia
• Latin America
• The Caribbean
• The Middle East
• The Pacific
• Other countries commonly classified within the Global South

The announcement does not provide a definitive country-by-country eligibility list.

Applicants should confirm that their organisation is based in an eligible Global South country before submitting a proposal.

Collaboration with an organisation or partner from the Global North may be included within the project and its financing. However, the principal funding focus remains on Global South partners.

Priority Areas

Global Voices for Peace seeks to support projects responding to several interconnected challenges.

Democratic Participation

Projects may support open, inclusive and participatory political or civic systems.

Activities could focus on strengthening community participation, increasing public awareness or improving opportunities for underrepresented groups to engage in democratic processes.

Democratic Institutions

The programme is interested in initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions or improve the quality of democracy.

Projects may address public accountability, civic participation, human rights, institutional trust or access to decision-making.

Peacebuilding and Nonviolence

Applicants may propose initiatives that reduce tensions, prevent violence or create opportunities for peaceful dialogue.

Projects may focus on mediation, reconciliation, community healing or nonviolent civic action.

Transnational Solidarity

The grants may support initiatives that connect organisations, networks or movements across borders.

These partnerships can strengthen shared analysis and coordinated responses to challenges affecting multiple countries or communities.

Militarism and Democratic Backsliding

The programme seeks to deepen collective understanding of accelerating militarism and the weakening of democratic systems.

Projects may explore how these trends affect communities and how local or regional actors can respond.

Multilateral Norms and Institutions

Initiatives may address the erosion of international norms and the weakening of multilateral systems.

Projects may support public education, research, dialogue or advocacy concerning international cooperation, peace and human rights.

Collective Protection

Funding may support stronger relationships among faith-based, civil society, humanitarian, peacebuilding and community-organising networks.

These relationships can help communities coordinate action and strengthen protection for people facing injustice, repression or conflict.

Types of Activities That May Be Funded

The programme may support activities such as:

• Community organising
• Public outreach
• Dialogue initiatives
• Peacebuilding activities
• Workshops
• Training sessions
• Community education
• Pilot programmes
• Innovative grassroots initiatives
• Small-scale research
• Documentation projects
• Updates to existing research or analysis
• Network-building activities
• Community consultations
• Awareness campaigns
• Collaborative civic initiatives

Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities are clearly connected to the problem they are seeking to address.

A long list of activities is not enough on its own. The proposal should show how each activity contributes to a specific outcome.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a proposal of no more than four pages.

The proposal should include the following information.

1. Applicant and Contact Information

Applicants should provide:

• Name of the organisation or group
• Contact details
• Project title
• Project location
• Organisational affiliation, where applicable
• Legal status

Applicants without conventional organisational structures should explain their legal or operational status clearly.

2. Organisational Overview

The proposal should briefly describe:

• The purpose of the organisation or initiative
• The communities it works with
• Its areas of experience
• Its previous activities
• Its connection to the proposed project

This section should help reviewers understand why the applicant is well placed to implement the project.

3. Project Description

Applicants should explain:

• The problem or issue the project will address
• Why the issue is important
• Who will benefit
• How the project aligns with Global Voices for Peace priorities
• The main activities
• The communities involved
• How the activities will be organised

The project description should be specific and grounded in the local context.

4. Expected Outcomes

Applicants should describe the changes they expect the project to produce.

Outcomes may include:

• Improved dialogue between communities
• Greater civic participation
• Stronger local networks
• Increased community knowledge
• Better protection for affected groups
• New partnerships
• Improved access to information
• Stronger peacebuilding capacity
• Increased participation by young people or women

Applicants should distinguish between activities and outcomes. A workshop is an activity; stronger community cooperation resulting from that workshop is an outcome.

5. Project Timeline

The timeline should show when each major activity will take place between 1 November 2026 and 31 July 2027.

Applicants should include enough detail to demonstrate that the project can be completed within the stated implementation period.

6. Budget Summary

The budget must be presented in United States dollars.

It should clearly show how the requested funds will be used.

Potential costs may include:

• Activity materials
• Venue expenses
• Local transportation
• Facilitation
• Communications
• Documentation
• Research expenses
• Community outreach
• Accessibility support
• Staff or consultant time directly connected to implementation

The budget should be realistic, proportionate and clearly linked to the project plan.

7. Risks and Mitigation Measures

Applicants should identify major risks that could affect implementation.

These may include:

• Political instability
• Security concerns
• Community tensions
• Limited participation
• Digital access barriers
• Delays in permissions
• Misinformation
• Risks to participants
• Financial or logistical challenges

Applicants should explain how they plan to reduce or manage each risk.

8. Alignment With AFSC and Quaker Values

The proposal must include a short statement explaining how the project aligns with the values of:

• Peace
• Justice
• Equality
• Nonviolence
• Respect for human dignity
• Community-led action

Applicants may also provide information about partnerships, community support or other relevant context.

Language of Submission

Applications are preferably submitted in English.

Proposals translated using artificial-intelligence translation tools are acceptable.

However, applicants should review translated material carefully before submission.

The call warns that open translation platforms may involve:

• Privacy risks
• Loss of control over sensitive information
• Inaccurate translation
• Biased language
• Misrepresentation of marginalised communities

Applicants working with sensitive community information should avoid uploading confidential details to open translation platforms.

Human review is strongly recommended, especially where the proposal discusses conflict, identity, persecution or vulnerable communities.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by an AFSC committee representing international regions including Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.

Proposals will be evaluated according to factors such as:

Alignment With AFSC’s Mission

The project should support peace, justice, equality and nonviolence.

Relevance to Global Voices for Peace Priorities

The proposal should respond directly to one or more priority areas identified in the call.

Potential Impact

Reviewers will consider the likely effect of the proposed work on:

• Democratic governance
• Institution-building
• Peacebuilding
• Human rights
• Local communities
• Community resilience

Urgency of the Need

Projects responding to immediate or emerging challenges may receive particular attention.

Community Leadership

Special consideration will be given to initiatives led by communities directly affected by injustice or conflict.

Feasibility

The proposed activities, timeline and budget should be practical and achievable.

Organisational Capacity

Applicants should demonstrate that they have the experience, relationships and capacity needed to complete the project.

Reporting and Shared Learning

Successful grantees will be required to submit:

• A brief narrative report
• A financial summary

These documents will be due at the conclusion of the project.

The reporting requirements are intentionally designed to remain light and accessible. This approach is intended to allow grantees to focus on community impact rather than excessive administrative work.

Grantees may also be invited to share lessons through:

• Community dialogues
• Webinars
• Written reflections
• Peer-learning activities
• Network exchanges

These opportunities will help strengthen shared learning and solidarity among participating organisations.

How to Submit an Application

Applicants must submit:

1. The completed application form
2. The project budget

Applications should be sent by email to:

gvp-proposal@afsc.org

The email subject line should follow this format:

GVP Small Seed Grants – [Entity Name]

Applicants should replace “[Entity Name]” with the official name of their organisation, initiative or group.

All proposals must be received by 15 September 2026.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants should consider the following advice:

1. Present a clearly defined local problem.
2. Show that the affected community is involved in designing or leading the response.
3. Explain how the project advances peace, democracy, justice or nonviolence.
4. Use realistic outcomes rather than exaggerated promises.
5. Keep the project achievable within the funding and implementation period.
6. Connect every budget item to a planned activity.
7. Explain how marginalised or conflict-affected communities will participate.
8. Describe relevant partnerships where they strengthen implementation.
9. Review any AI-assisted translation for accuracy and cultural sensitivity.
10. Submit before the deadline to allow time for technical problems or corrections.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants is:

15 September 2026

All completed application forms and budgets must be submitted by email before the deadline.

Late applications will not be considered.

Conclusion

The Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants 2026 provide an important funding opportunity for community-based and faith-based organisations working to advance democracy, justice, peace and nonviolence across the Global South.

With awards of approximately US$10,000 to US$15,000 and up to 10 grants available, the programme can support locally led initiatives that strengthen dialogue, solidarity, civic participation and community resilience.

The strongest applications will be grounded in local experience, led by affected communities and clearly aligned with AFSC and Quaker values.

Eligible organisations should prepare a focused four-page proposal, a realistic budget and a clear implementation plan covering the period from 1 November 2026 to 31 July 2027.

Applications must be submitted to gvp-proposal@afsc.org by 15 September 2026.