Are you a civil society organization working to make governments more open, transparent, and accountable? The Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27 is now accepting applications from eligible civil society organizations (CSOs) across the Open Government Partnership’s 74 member countries. Named in honor of Helen Darbishire, a global champion for access to information and civic engagement, this new funding initiative is your chance to elevate open government reform in your country.
This blog post covers everything you need to know about the Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27—including eligibility, grant sizes, timelines, application tips, and expert insights.
About the Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27
Launched by the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27 supports civil society organizations with limited access to domestic funding that are working to strengthen OGP processes and sustain reform momentum.
The fund is named after Helen Darbishire, a tireless advocate for civic space, freedom of information, and open governance. It aims to continue her legacy by empowering local actors to lead and grow impactful open government initiatives.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, your organization must meet the following criteria:
- Be a legally registered, non-profit CSO in an OGP member country.
- Be based in a country with limited financial support for civil society, where sustaining OGP reforms may be at risk.
- Have a proven record of involvement in OGP national action plans, civil society-government collaboration, or the co-creation process.
- Submit one proposal per country—organizations may apply individually or as a consortium (with one lead organization).
- Be in good standing with OGP policies (no open Response Policy cases, no Rapid Response Protocol status, and pass the Values Check).
Grant Size and Duration
The Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27 will support:
- Standard Grants:
- Amount: $10,000–$25,000
- Duration: 6 to 12 months
- Exceptional Grants (for proposals with broader impact or innovation):
- Amount: Up to $50,000
- Duration: Up to 18 months
OGP expects to award 8–10 grants in this funding cycle.
What Projects Will Be Funded?
The fund supports activities that strengthen OGP processes at the national or local level, such as:
- Co-creation and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs)
- Enhancing multi-stakeholder collaboration between civil society and government
- Supporting inclusive and participatory open government processes
- Building local capacity to track and monitor reforms
- Sustaining civil society engagement between OGP cycles
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Application Deadline: July 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time, U.S.)
- Q&A Support Closes: June 20, 2025 – Email questions to [email protected]
- Award Notification: Mid to late August 2025
- Earliest Start Date: September 2025
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through the official OGP online portal. Follow the steps below:
- Prepare your proposal in English, Spanish, or French.
- Download and complete the required templates:
- Budget template
- Activity plan
- Obtain a letter of support from one of the following:
- Your country’s OGP Multi-Stakeholder Forum
- The OGP Point of Contact or relevant government official
- Submit all documents via the OGP online application form:
👉 Apply for the Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27
🌟 Expert Tips from GrantsDatabase.org
We asked our grant specialists for insights on how to stand out in your application for the Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27. Here’s their expert advice:
“Successful proposals clearly connect their activities to measurable improvements in open government. Emphasize your collaboration with government, sustainability plan, and how the funding will amplify impact that can continue beyond the grant period.”
— Grant Strategy Team, GrantsDatabase.org
Additional recommendations:
- Start early—leave time for internal approvals and supporting documents.
- Tailor your budget to reflect realistic, impactful activities.
- Use clear, jargon-free language and define how success will be measured.
- Engage partners and demonstrate shared ownership of the reform goals.
Need help with drafting, refining, or reviewing your proposal?
📩 Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
Final Thoughts
The Helen Darbishire Fund 2025–27 offers a vital opportunity for grassroots civil society organizations to make a lasting impact on open government reforms. If your work aligns with OGP’s mission, this is your chance to secure the support you need to scale up, deepen engagement, and create more responsive governance in your country.
Don’t miss this opportunity—apply by July 6, 2025!
