For NGOs to win funding, it is very important to submit a strong application especially because there is huge competition for seeking grants from United Nations Democracy Fund 2016. As a worldwide opportunity, NGOs need to consider some important elements that matter in the application form.
Before You Apply: Learning about the United Nations Democracy Fund 2016
The very first step you need to take (even before you begin writing your proposal for funding) is to go the United Nations Democracy Fund website and read the information provided about this specific funding opportunity.
What Types of Projects Are Fundable?
The UNDF funds projects related to democracy and civil society empowerment, such as: the empowerment of women, citizen’s access to information, voter registration, civic education, and much more.
UNDEF allocates 70% of its budget for projects in a country. This means that local NGOs can apply and often succeed, competing against large international organizations.
As UNDEF tries to allocate funding to a wide range of countries, NGOs in small developing countries with only a few NGOs have a higher statistical chance of success than those in very large countries with many NGOs. For example, ten projects where allocated to Indian organizations in the past nine funding rounds, while Liberian NGOs received six during that same period.
UNDEF also prefers to fund projects within countries and regions where challenges related to democracy are more critical. These countries and regions include those emerging from conflict, new and restored democracies, Least Developed Countries, Low Income Countries, and Middle Income Countries.
Finally, the office of the UN Resident Representative (the formal head of the UN system in any given country) will likely review the shortlisted applications. As the UN works with the government it is possible that they will not approve very controversial or combative programs. As the UN Resident Representative is almost always the head of UNDP, if you have connections with UNDP you may wish to let them know you are applying.
Steps for Completing the UNDEF Application Form
UNDEF provides an example application form from 2014 at this link.
You can use this form to complete your application off-line; then go online to the online application form and submit your application.
You need to have a computer with an Internet connection to submit your application form on the UNDEF online application form.
You must register your organization on the UNDEF website by creating a profile before you can apply for UNDEF funding.
Once you have registered your organization, an email message will be sent by the online system (also known as the OPPS system) with a login username and password. Use this username and password to log into the UNDEF website to complete your application form.
You do not need to complete the online application form all at one time. If you do not want to submit your application right away, choose the “SAVE” option located at the end of the online application form.
Once you are confident that your application is complete, click on the “SUBMIT” button.
NOTE: Once you hit the “SUBMIT” button you CANNOT go back and edit your application again. So, hit the “SUBMIT” button when you are absolutely sure that your application is complete.
Please visit next page to get detailed information about UNDEF Application Form completion.