Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants
Global Voice for Peace Small Seed Grant Awards is now accepting applications.
AFSC is pleased to launch a small seed grants program to catalyze innovative locally driven initiatives that safeguard democracy while advancing peace, justice, and nonviolence.
Through this program, AFSC aims to invest in community-led ideas that promote dialogue, strengthen networks of solidarity, and respond creatively to emerging challenges to peace and democracy. Rooted in Quakers’ values of peace, equality, and social justice, this initiative recognizes that meaningful and sustainable change often begins at the community level.
By supporting grassroots initiatives, AFSC seeks to amplify local voices, encourage collaboration, and nurture innovative approaches that contribute to more just and peaceful societies.
Amount: Awards can go up to $10,000 – $15,000 (up to 10 awards total)
Call for Proposals: July 16, 2026
Deadline: September 15, 2026.
Awards Granted: November 1, 2026
Implementation period: 1 November, 2026 – 31 July, 2027
Eligibility
Local and community-based and faith-based organizations aligned with Quakers’ shared values and working to advance peace, democracy, justice, non-violence and community resilience. We encourage feminist, grassroots groups, and youth movements to apply.
Geographical scope
The funds are restricted to Global South partners. However, collaboration with a Global North partner could be included in the financing.
Priority Areas
Global Voices for Peace aims to deepen collective analysis, strengthen transnational solidarity, and catalyze coordinated action in response to accelerating militarism, democratic backsliding, and the erosion of multilateral norms and the multilateral system.
The focus of the grants is on reinforcing open and participatory systems, strengthening democratic institutions, and improving the quality of democracy. We aim to facilitate relationship building across faith, civil society, humanitarian, peacebuilding, and organizing networks to strengthen collective protection and coordinated action. Special attention will be given to topics that link to the Global Voices for Peace Dialogues series. Funding may support activities such as:
- Community organizing and outreach
- Dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives
- Workshops, training sessions, and community education
- Pilot programs and innovative grassroots initiatives
- Small-scale research or documentation
- Updating existing research or analysis (on a small scale)
Application Process
Applicants should submit a proposal of up to 4 pages that includes:
- Applicant and contact information, including project title, location, affiliation (if applicable), and legal status
- A brief overview of your organization, initiative, or community group, including its purpose, the communities it works with, and relevant experience
- A clear description of the proposed project, including the issue it addresses, who it will benefit, how it aligns with Global Voices for Peace priorities, and the main activities you will carry out
- Expected outcomes, project timeline, budget summary in USD, and any key implementation risks and mitigation measures
- A short statement on alignment with AFSC and Quaker values, plus any optional information on partnerships, support, or other relevant context.
Submissions is preferable in English; proposals translated using AI translation are acceptable.
Cautionary note: using open platform translation tools carries risks including privacy concerns, loss of control over sensitive information, and the potential for biased or inaccurate translations that can misrepresent marginalized communities.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by an AFSC committee representing our international regions (Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia). Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with AFSC’s mission and Quaker values of peace, justice, equality, and nonviolence. The committee will consider the potential impact of proposed activities on democratic governance, institution-building, peacebuilding, human rights, and local communities, as well as the urgency of the need addressed. Special consideration will be given to initiatives led by communities directly affected by injustice or conflict.
Reporting and Learning
Grantees will be asked to submit a brief narrative report and financial summary at the conclusion of the project. Reporting requirements are intentionally designed to remain light and accessible, allowing partners to focus on community impact rather than administrative burden. AFSC will invite grantees to share lessons learned through community dialogues, webinars, or written reflections, helping strengthen networks of solidarity, and shared learning.
Submissions
Global Voices for Peace Small Seed Grants Program – Updated Application Deadline.
We recently made the decision to close the application period earlier than originally announced due to the exceptionally high number of proposals received. Following that announcement, we heard from a number of organizations and carefully considered the feedback shared with us. We recognize that the early closure may have affected proposal planning and preparation for some applicants.
After reviewing this feedback and reflecting on the importance of honoring the timeline originally communicated, we have decided to reinstate the original application deadline and keep the call for proposals open until 5pm Eastern Time September 15, 2026.
The overwhelming response to this opportunity highlights both the urgent need for support and the remarkable work being led by communities around the world to advance peace, justice, nonviolence, and democratic participation. It also reinforces why AFSC launched this grant program: to support locally driven initiatives that strengthen dialogue, solidarity, community resilience, and collective action in response to growing challenges to peace, democracy, and human rights.
Given the volume of applications received and the limited funding available, we anticipate a highly competitive selection process. We encourage applicants to review the eligibility requirements and selection criteria carefully as they prepare their submissions. To ensure that all proposals receive a thorough, fair, and equitable review, the additional review time required for submissions received through September 15 may result in a delay to the original award notification timeline. We will provide updates on the review process and any changes to the award schedule as soon as they become available.
Applications already submitted remain under consideration, and applicants who have already applied do not need to resubmit their proposals unless they wish to submit revisions or updates before the September 15 deadline. All eligible proposals received by the deadline will be reviewed using the same selection criteria and review process. While we are encouraged by the breadth and quality of interest in this opportunity, funding is limited and only a small number of proposals will ultimately be selected for support.
We appreciate the feedback we received and thank all applicants for their patience, understanding, and commitment to advancing peace, justice, and democratic participation. We look forward to receiving proposals submitted by September 15, 2026.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2026 5pm ET
Please submit the completed application form (PDF or Word) and budget to:
gvp-proposal@afsc.org with GVP Small Seed Grants – [entity name] in the subject line.