Spark Fund call for applications, Lesotho

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We are excited to launch the first Spark Fund call for applications from Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Applications are welcome from youth-led and youth-focused groups or organizations that are working to create transformational change and improve the lives of young people and their communities.

What is the Spark Fund?  

The Spark Fund invests in youth-led and youth-focused groups tackling injustice and inequality,  driving transformational change, and building a more inclusive post-pandemic world by harnessing the power of digital technologies. 

This innovative fund puts key decisions in the hands of youth and provides young leaders and their organizations, networks, and movements with flexible funding and capacity development.

The Spark Fund will distribute grants of between $1,000 – $15,000 USD per year for two years. This grant will be paid in two annual grants – one in June 2022 and another in June 2023. We anticipate funding up to 15 organizations or groups within the region in this funding round.

Spark Fund grants can be spent on whatever the organization/group needs. This includes project and program expenses but can also cover day to day running costs, salaries, organizational development costs or anything else they need. We understand that priorities and circumstances may change during the grant period so Spark Fund grants are flexible, allowing grantee partners to respond to the changing needs of their communities throughout the grant period.   

Spark Fund grants will be administered by Global Fund for Children. 

What does the Spark Fund offer? 

In addition to annual grants of between $1,000 – $15,000 USD for the next two years, the Spark Fund also offers grantee partners additional opportunities including:  

  • Dedicated support from Global Fund for Children to identify your goals for strengthening your group and work together to develop a customized plan
  • To connect and learn with other Spark Fund grantees in Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Namibia through digital technologies as well as a face to face convening (Covid rules permitting!)
  • To meet, learn from and connect digitally with global Spark Fund partners from other regions around the world.   
  • To receive additional grants to cover emergencies or other capacity development needs over the pilot period.

What is the Spark Fund looking to fund? 

The Spark Fund panel is looking for applicants that demonstrate a commitment to youth-led change within the region. Applications are invited from organizations/groups that: 

  • Are non-profit organizations or groups, including social enterprises
  • Are registered and unregistered groups
  • Are located and working in Lesotho, Namibia, or Zimbabwe
  • Are youth-focused and youth-led (under the age of 35)
  • Focus on at least one of the Southern Africa Spark Fund interests:
    • Mental health
    • Quality education and innovation 
    • Reducing inequalities including disability and gender inequalities  

The panel particularly welcome applications from: 

  • Female-led organizations
  • Rural based organizations

The Spark Fund cannot support:

  • Individuals
  • Businesses
  • Local offices, affiliates, or projects of large NGOs, governments, or intergovernmental organizations
  • Government agencies, schools or universities, or for profit businesses 
  • Efforts to support or oppose candidates for public office
  • Evangelism or proselytizing, or programmes that require adherence to or conversion to religious doctrine
  • Groups that, in policy or in practice, discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation
  • Groups that conduct or support violent activities or violate criminal law

What does the Spark Fund require from grantees? 

  • Grantee partners will have to submit one narrative and financial report each year to Global Fund for Children  
  • Grantee partners must have a policy and procedure focused on keeping the people they work with and engage with safe from harm, including safeguarding their digital privacy rights. If grantees do not currently have a policy, Global Fund for Children will support them to develop a policy that is appropriate for their work and context in their first grant year. 

How to Apply 

Applicants can apply in English here.  

Deadline 

The deadline for applications is 30 April 2022, 23:59 CAT/SAST.  

Further Information 

If you still have questions, please email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to respond. 
You can also find our Frequently Asked Questions here.

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