Does Karibu have more than one grantmaking program?
In 2023, Karibu has two separate grant-making programs.
- Karibu Regular Grants (all regions of the Global South)
- Karibu New Realities Grant (Sub-Saharan Africa)
You can find more information about our standard grant-making here.
The Frequently Asked Questions below relate specifically to the standard Karibu grant.
There is also the “Karibu New Realities Grant” (KNRG) – a pilot project that is distinct from Karibu’s regular grant-making operations. This is open for applicants from only Sub-Saharan Africa. You can read FAQs for this grant program here.
Is Karibu currently accepting applications for new grantee partners?
Karibu unfortunately does not have open calls for submitting regular grant applications from new potential grantee partners in 2023 and 2024. Unsolicited grant proposals from potential new grant partners will unfortunately not be considered or processed.
Those interesting in potentially applying for funds at a later time are welcome to send a “note of interest” for potential future grant support in Karibu’s grant-making system..
Note: The “Karibu New Realities Grant” (KNRG) – a pilot project that is distinct from Karibu’s regular grant-making operations has other routines than our standard grant procedures. This is open for applicants from only Sub-Saharan Africa. More information about these grants will be announced in around May 2023.
Are there any changes to funding during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. The Global financial crisis, changes in resource mobilization, unpredictability in the post-COVID ‘new normal’, and internal factors with Karibu Foundation, has made it necessary to change our organizing of grant making for 2023 and 2024.
These frequently asked questions are updated to reflect this.
What happens after I submit a “note of interest” in Karibu’s GMS?
If first-time applicants would like to inform us about a specific project or initiative, you are welcome to fill out a short note of interest within Karibu’s grantmaking system.
Please note that this is not considered an application, however, and Karibu unfortunately cannot guarantee a response to each note of interest.
We will keep the note on file in case of future funding opportunities.
Do I have to submit my application via the Grant Management System?
Yes, all applications should be submitted via the grant management system(GMS) in full before they can be considered. In 2023, this is currently only available for previous or current grantees for our normal application process.
If you have previously received a grant from Karibu and would like to apply in 2023, please reach out at post@karibu.no for grant-making procedures in 2023. Please also include 4-5 lines in your email about the priority focus of your planned submission.
More information about the “Karibu New Realties Grant” for Sub-Saharan Africa will be available in around May 2023.
If you have any questions about technical use of our GMS, feel free to send us an email at post@karibu.no.
Is my project eligible for support?
The Karibu Foundation supports activities and movements that are anchored in the Global South, which are providing alternatives to the dominant paradigms of power, distribution, and development. Projects that Karibu supports are primarily related to the areas of information exchanges, mobilizing efforts, legislative and research efforts, bridge-building, dialogue, and capacity building.
Karibu prioritizes projects that are South-South in nature (one or more countries or territories in collaboration).
Karibu prioritizes projects that have a systemic focus.
What projects are not eligible for support?
Karibu does not give support to the regular operation of development projects, such as health, education, infrastructure, agriculture and/or community capacity building.
We also do not support projects connected to an individual, such as scholarships for education.
As a general rule, we do not provide support to organizations or networks that are based in the Global North.
Also, in most cases we do not provide support to projects that are working only nationally or locally in scope, as Karibu prioritizes projects that are South-South in nature (one or more countries or territories in collaboration).
If you have any questions about this, feel free to send us an email at post@karibu.no. Please note, however, that given the large amount of emails that Karibu receives and staff constraints, we cannot guarantee that we can respond to all inquires about individual projects.
What should be included in an application to Karibu?
Within the grant application system, you will see a number of questions that will give us a short presentation of the project, its contents, and the specific request to Karibu.
At the end of the initial questions, you will be asked to attach a concept note and a complete budget related to the project.
In addition, you will be asked to include information about the bank account where funds will be potentially transferred (in the event that a grant is provided). We require this at the initial start process since it takes time for our bank to go through their standard routines related to international transfers.
Karibu does not at this time require a particular format for the concept note and budget, and accepts most formats. Nevertheless, in order to process an application, some basic information should be included in the documentation given by the applying organization/network. You can download these guidelines here: Application and Budget Guidelines
Is there a standard grant amount given by Karibu?
Karibu does not provide a standard (fixed) amount for grants. Each application is processed on a case-by-case basis, and a grant from Karibu will be determined based on various factors and in communication with the applicant organization.
There are however changes in 2023 and 2024. Current and previous grantee partners can contact post@karibu.no for more information.
Is there additional documentation I should be prepared to submit to Karibu?
In some situations (mainly for new grant seekers), Karibu will also request a narrative presentation of the organization or network’s history, goals and decision-making structures, as well as an overall financial report of the partner’s operation for the last one or two years.
If I have previously applied and didn’t receive a grant, may I apply again?
Please note that Karibu is unfortunately not receiving applications from new potential grantee partners in 2023. Please note that if you have previously not been successful, and there have been no substantive changes to the application, it is unlikely that Karibu would consider support with a new application.
Is there a deadline for application submission?
The Karibu board meets approximately three times each semester to consider funding requests on a rolling basis. All applications to Karibu must therefore be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance of each Board meeting in order to be eligible for consideration, unless otherwise stated. Concrete deadlines for each Board meeting are posted here.
Applications must be sent to us in good time, so that our processing can be completed well in advance of suggested project start dates.
You can find the dates of Board meetings on our website here.
What happens after I submit my application?
The Karibu secretariat will review the information that has been sent to us to deem if the application is eligible for consideration. Eligible applications will then be reviewed by the secretariat, and a select number of positive recommendations are presented to the Board of Karibu for consideration.
The Board of Karibu makes the final decision related to project funding.
Will all eligible applications be presented to the Board for consideration?
No, unfortunately. Not all applications will be presented to the Board for consideration, based on various considerations.
How much time does it take before I hear back from Karibu about my application?
Projects that have been granted support will normally hear back from Karibu within 3 weeks of the Board’s meeting, after the minutes of the Board meeting have been formally approved. It can sometimes take longer to hear back from us.
What are the reporting requirements if I receive a grant from Karibu?
The reporting requirements (and deadlines) are outlined in contracts with Karibu, and all documents should be uploaded to the Grant Management System (GMS). You can download these guidelines related to our reporting requirements here: Reporting Requirement Guidelines
What if I only have a starting concept, and not a complete application or concept note?
If you have any questions about this, feel free to send us an email at post@karibu.no.
Given the large amount of emails that Karibu receives and staff constraints, however, we cannot guarantee that we can respond to all inquires about individual projects.
Please note that it is expected that all potential applicants have read these guidelines before submitting an application to Karibu. FAQs are updated as of 21 February 2023.