Grants Proposal Invited for 2026 Advancing Civic Freedoms and Civil Society Resiliency in Bangladesh, The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) invites proposals for small grants aimed at supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) that are working to promote civic freedoms and enhance the resilience of civil society in Bangladesh.

Grants of up to USD 30,000 will be awarded to projects that meet the specified eligibility criteria. All supported activities must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until April 15, 2026, or until the available funds are fully utilized. Applicants are encouraged to review the detailed guidelines and application process provided below for further information.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.

Last Date of Submission: 15^th April 2026

Background for Grants Proposal Invited for 2026 Advancing Civic Freedoms and Civil Society Resiliency in Bangladesh

Across Asia, civic space continues to face increasing pressure due to restrictive legal frameworks and security-driven governance approaches. In Bangladesh, civil society organizations are navigating a critical transition period following the formation of a new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which assumed office on February 17, 2026. The new administration has reportedly expressed intentions to repeal restrictive laws, promote media freedom, create a more enabling environment for NGOs, curb misuse of power against civil society actors, and strengthen protections for minorities, women, and human rights. Additionally, the parliament is expected to review key ordinances introduced by the Interim Government, including the Foreign Donations Regulation Ordinance.

In this evolving context, ICNL aims to support forward-looking, locally driven initiatives that enhance civil society’s capacity to advocate for reforms, respond to restrictive legal developments, and strengthen organizational resilience in line with international human rights standards. Specifically, ICNL seeks to support civil society in Bangladesh to:

1. Promote advocacy efforts for laws, policies, and practices that safeguard freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, expression, and participation—both online and offline.
2. Effectively respond to restrictive legislative measures, implementation challenges, and legal harassment impacting civil society actors.
3. Strengthen coordination, resilience, and strategic engagement among civil society organizations at national, regional, and international levels to address legal and regulatory challenges.

To achieve these goals, applicants are encouraged to propose diverse civic space–focused activities. ICNL particularly welcomes initiatives that incorporate strong gender components and those led by women’s organizations or marginalized communities.

Illustrative Activities (including but not limited to):

• Conducting monitoring, legal analysis, and advocacy related to laws, policies, and regulations affecting civic freedoms, including engagement with lawmakers and regulatory bodies.
• Advocating for legal reforms and promoting rights-based implementation of laws through dialogue with government authorities.
• Building the capacity of CSOs to understand legal requirements, assess risks, prepare for inspections, and ensure operational continuity in restrictive contexts.
• Addressing the disproportionate impact of civic restrictions on women human rights defenders and marginalized groups, including preparing CEDAW shadow reports and advocacy submissions.
• Strengthening civil society coalitions to collectively respond to legal reforms and civic space challenges.
• Supporting engagement with international accountability mechanisms such as UN bodies, treaty mechanisms, and FATF-related processes to reinforce domestic advocacy.
• Developing advocacy tools, communication materials, and campaigns to counter negative narratives and raise awareness about civic freedoms.
• Facilitating peer learning initiatives, including workshops, exchanges, and communities of practice to share strategies and promote inclusive participation.

Application Instructions for Grants Proposal Invited for 2026 Advancing Civic Freedoms and Civil Society Resiliency in Bangladesh

Applicants must submit the following documents in English:

• A detailed proposal (as outlined below).
• A line-item budget (maximum USD 30,000) using the prescribed template. If the template is not accessible, applicants may request it via email. Note: Inclusion of a project-specific audit cost is mandatory.
• CVs or resumes of key project personnel.
• Organizational background information (such as website links or relevant documents).

Proposal Content for Grants Proposal Invited for 2026 Advancing Civic Freedoms and Civil Society Resiliency in Bangladesh

The proposal (maximum five pages) should clearly address:

• The civic space issue or opportunity being addressed and its relevance to Bangladesh.
• Proposed activities, objectives, and expected outcomes.
• How the project will contribute to strengthening civic freedoms, enabling legal reforms, or enhancing civil society resilience.
• The applicant’s experience and partnerships relevant to the project.
• A clear implementation plan and timeline (all activities must be completed by December 31, 2026).
• Indicators or methods for measuring progress and impact.

Eligibility Requirements

• Open to non-profit organizations based in Bangladesh.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Adherence to eligibility and application requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to strengthening civic space.
• Quality, feasibility, and clarity of the proposed project design and methodology.
• Potential impact in improving civic space conditions.
• Budget justification and overall value for money.
• Inclusion of clear and measurable indicators for tracking success.

How to apply?

Interested applicants may submit their complete application along with all required documents via email to asia@icnl.org. Kindly ensure that the subject line of your email reads “Civic Space Grant – Bangladesh.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until April 15, 2026, or until the available funding is fully allocated—whichever occurs first.

Please note that ICNL is not obligated to award any grants, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further consideration. For any queries related to this grant opportunity, applicants may also reach out via the same email address.

Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below

Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link

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