Supporting Democratic Governance Grant

About this grant

The Open Society Foundations' Latin America and the Caribbean program works to advance democratic values through grant making, advocacy, network building, and collaboration with local partners and stakeholders. The Supporting Democratic Governance initiative specifically addresses the enormous political pressure faced by countries across Central and South America from deep-rooted financial, economic, and social challenges that have fueled the rise of authoritarian leaders willing to subvert democratic freedoms and rights. This program funds local partners that develop policies and strategies to help democracies overcome overlapping issues including inequality, corruption, violence, and the intensifying impact of the climate crisis. A key aim is connecting democratic institutions to people's everyday needs. The work includes funding groups that support political engagement by women, communities of African descent, and indigenous people who have historically been excluded from the democratic process. The broader Latin America and Caribbean program also encompasses Media Independence and Disinformation, Reducing Violence, Climate Justice, and Drug Policy Reform. The program has a particular strategic focus on three priority countries: Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, with offices in Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, and Mexico City. In 2024, Open Society Foundations spent $117.1 million across the Latin America and Caribbean region, representing approximately 9.8% of global expenditures.

Eligibility

Applicants are typically civil society organizations, advocacy groups, research institutions, and community-based organizations working in Latin America and the Caribbean. Priority focus is given to groups operating in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, though the program covers the broader Latin America and Caribbean region. Organizations supporting political engagement by women, communities of African descent, and indigenous people are specifically mentioned as eligible. Open Society does not publicly detail formal eligibility restrictions on this page beyond geographic and thematic alignment.

How it's scored

The page does not disclose specific evaluation criteria, scoring rubrics, or panel composition for this grant program. Awards appear to be made based on alignment with Open Society Foundations' strategic priorities in the region, including democratic governance, media independence, violence reduction, climate justice, and drug policy reform, with a focus on organizations that can connect democratic institutions to people's everyday needs.

Key requirements

• ✓Work with local partners in Latin America and the Caribbean
• ✓Focus on democratic governance and policy/strategy development
• ✓Address climate crisis alongside financial, economic, and social challenges
• ✓Support political engagement by women, communities of African descent, and indigenous peoples

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Revolusolar
• PAZOS
• FOKAL (Fondation Connaissance et Liberte)

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Supporting Democratic Governance?

Eligibility covers organisations in LATAM, Caribbean; nonprofit, charity, community-group, indigenous-community, local-authority. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.