The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has launched the criteria [1] for its GBP 100 million (EUR 149 million) Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF). The Fund aims to strengthen civil society and the media in developing countries to help citizens hold their governments to account. It will be open to not-for-profit organisations, not only in the UK but also abroad.

A call for applications has not yet been issued, but will be in two stages: expression of interest and full proposal.

Key elements:

• GBP 100 million over five years
• demand-led competitive Fund
• larger scale proposals covering a portfolio of activities – between GBP 750,000 (EUR 1.1 million) and GBP 5 million (EUR 7.4 million)
• projects within the portfolio must be based in developing countries
• one funding round and only one application per organisation or consortium
• up to 100% funding
• proposals to cover a period of three to five years
• except in exceptional cases, 85% of GTF money must be granted to local partners in developing countries
• grant applicants must work with a variety of local partnerships and networks

[1] DFID - Governance and Transparency Fund Criteria and Guidelines

Water-related websites on governance and transparency:

• Water Integrity Network
• UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI
• EMPOWERS – Guidelines for Improved Local Water Governance

Contact: GTF, DFID, UK, gtf@dfid.gov.uk

Source: DFID, 22 Feb 2007

Tags: governance