A Decade of Funding Constitutionalism 2015-2025

We have a phased grant-making model that has developed over our ten-year history.

Initially, funding was allocated to 12 registered and established NGOs working in the field of constitutionalism. These organizations were already trusted grantees of the Atlantic Philanthropies and Open Society Foundations. Even though they were pre-selected, a proper due diligence process was followed to confirm their eligibility for the CF grant. In later years, the pool of grantee partners grew significantly to include more NGOs, as well as community-based organizations and social movements.

Our grant-making process has developed over time.

It mainly follows these structured stages: 1 to 5

1. Call for Proposals

Open call – All organizations, including those funded in the first cycle, are required to compete equally.
Targeted call – All pre-identified organizations are required to compete equally.

2. Full Proposal Stage

Shortlisted organizations submit tailored proposals.
Coordinators review, score, and make recommendations (including funding allocations).
The CFC reviews, scores again, and may request additional information.
The CFC finalizes the shortlist and funding allocations.

3. Decision & Communication

Coordinators compile final CFC decisions into a document shared with the fiscal host.
The fiscal host checks compliance, prepares contracts, and ensures funds are transferred.
Coordinators notify unsuccessful applicants and confirm with successful ones.

4. Follow-up

Coordinators monitor contract preparation and fund disbursement to ensure timely transfer of grants.

5. Monitoring & Reporting

Monitoring visits: Coordinators visit each grantee twice annually (e.g., March and November). Findings are shared at CFC meetings.
Annual reports by grantees: Each submits an annual report and audited financial statements, which are reviewed by the CFC and sent to the fiscal host to trigger the release of annual funding tranches.
End-of-cycle reporting: At the end of the three-year cycle, grantees submit a comprehensive report covering the entire funding period.

“The mark of a healthy society is one where you do have a vibrant civil society … it’s increasingly important that people be vigilant when rights are under attack, that people do mobilize, that they do organize, that they advocate, and that they do use the law and the courts and all that’s available to them in order to ensure that fairness is delivered, that change happens.” –