UNDP Uganda Low Value Grants for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Under Spotlight Initiative 2.0

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially opened applications for its Low Value Grants for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the Gender for Development Uganda (G4DU) Programme.

Funded through the EU-UN Global Spotlight Initiative 2.0, this funding opportunity seeks to empower local organizations working to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), improve access to justice, strengthen community resilience, and promote gender equality across Uganda.

Civil society organizations play a critical role in advancing sustainable development, protecting human rights, and reaching vulnerable communities. Through these grants, UNDP aims to support innovative, locally led solutions that address some of Uganda’s most pressing social challenges while strengthening community ownership and participation.

Organizations with demonstrated experience in gender equality, youth empowerment, legal aid, education, skills development, and community mobilization are encouraged to submit proposals before the application deadline.

About the Gender for Development Uganda (G4DU) Programme

The Gender for Development Uganda (G4DU) Programme is designed to strengthen national and community efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls while promoting inclusive development.

Supported by the EU-UN Global Spotlight Initiative 2.0, the programme focuses on:

• Preventing gender-based violence.
• Supporting survivors through improved access to justice.
• Challenging harmful social norms.
• Promoting women’s empowerment.
• Creating safer communities for girls and vulnerable populations.
• Strengthening youth participation in community development.

The Low Value Grants provide financial support for community-based organizations that can deliver impactful interventions at the grassroots level.

Grant Categories

Applicants may submit proposals under one or more of the following grant lots.

1. Community and Youth Safe Spaces for GBV Prevention and Response

This funding category supports initiatives that establish or strengthen safe spaces where women, girls, and young people can access protection services, psychosocial support, information, referrals, and community engagement activities.

Projects may include:

• Safe shelters
• Community dialogue forums
• Youth empowerment centres
• GBV awareness campaigns
• Survivor support initiatives

2. Community and Youth-Led GBV Prevention and Environmental Action

UNDP is encouraging innovative projects that combine gender-based violence prevention with environmental sustainability.

Potential interventions include:

• Climate resilience activities
• Community environmental campaigns
• Youth environmental leadership
• Community safety and environmental conservation initiatives

This recognizes the growing relationship between environmental challenges and vulnerabilities faced by women and girls.

3. Male Engagement to Keep Girls in School and Prevent Child Marriage

Changing harmful social norms requires the active participation of men and boys.

This grant category supports programmes that:

• Encourage positive masculinity.
• Prevent child marriage.
• Promote girls’ education.
• Engage fathers, community leaders, and male champions.
• Address cultural barriers affecting girls.

4. Legal Aid and Access to Justice for GBV Survivors and Victims of Trafficking

Many survivors face significant barriers when seeking justice.

Organizations can apply for funding to strengthen:

• Legal aid services.
• Survivor referrals.
• Case management.
• Community legal awareness.
• Anti-human trafficking initiatives.
• Justice system navigation support.

5. Vocational and Technical Skills for Out-of-School Youth

Youth unemployment remains one of the region’s major development challenges.

This grant category supports projects that provide:

• Technical training.
• Entrepreneurship programmes.
• Livelihood development.
• Apprenticeships.
• Employability skills.
• Income-generating opportunities for vulnerable youth.

6. Digital Skills and Safe Online Engagement for Adolescents and Young People

Digital literacy continues to be an important tool for economic empowerment.

Eligible projects may focus on:

• Digital literacy training.
• Online safety awareness.
• Responsible internet use.
• Digital entrepreneurship.
• Coding and ICT skills.
• Safe participation in online spaces.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to qualified Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in Uganda with the capacity to implement community-based development initiatives aligned with the objectives of the G4DU Programme.

Organizations applying should have relevant experience in gender equality, community development, youth engagement, legal services, education, or related fields.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the official call for proposals and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026

Late submissions may not be considered, so interested organizations are encouraged to prepare and submit their proposals well before the deadline.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This funding opportunity represents an important investment in grassroots organizations that understand the needs of their communities. By supporting locally driven solutions, the programme aims to strengthen prevention efforts, improve protection services, and create sustainable pathways toward gender equality and inclusive development across Uganda.

Organizations working at community level have a unique opportunity to contribute to lasting social change while expanding their institutional capacity through partnership with UNDP and the Spotlight Initiative.

Final Thoughts

If your organization is committed to advancing gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, empowering young people, or improving access to justice in Uganda, this call presents an excellent opportunity to secure funding for impactful community initiatives.

Interested applicants should begin preparing their proposals as early as possible to ensure they meet all application requirements before the 14 August 2026 deadline.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Related