Cycle 1 Applications were accepted until August 15th, 2022 – and are now closed. More information about Cycle 2 will be released in 2023.
…on eligibility, what we support, and background
Is this grant different than Karibu’s regular grants?
Yes, the “Karibu New Realities Grant” (KNRG) is a pilot project that is distinct from Karibu’s regular grantmaking operations.
This grant has different eligibility and application requirements, as well as different selection routines than Karibu’s regular grants.
This grant is an African-led and co-designed grantmaking pilot within the general field of “participatory grantmaking”. Only organizations/formations/networks that are based in Sub-Saharan Africa can apply.
For more information about the history and background of this pilot project, visit: https://www.karibu.no/karibu-new-realities-grant/
What projects does the KNRG support?
We are aiming to support groups of change-agents in Sub-Saharan Africa who have bold, innovative, forward-thinking, and “constructive troublemaking” ideas that disrupt the status quo of injustices that the continent and our world are currently facing.
We are keen to support groups that utilize transformative and creative tactics (either offline or online).
The KNRG aims to address the inter-connectivity of a number of crises (economic, socio-cultural, political, and ecological crises) that our world and the African continent are facing. The grant program aims to serve as a contribution to catalyze the struggles that African change agents are waging against unjust systems.
The grant aims to support groups that are undertaking imaginative initiatives that strengthen and add new dimensions to the collective struggle for systemic justice.
Who is eligible to apply for the KNRG?
In order to apply for the “Karibu New Realities Grant,” your network, formation or organization must:
- Be based in Sub-Saharan Africa and be African-led
- Have a systemic analysis (a focus on the root causes of injustice, and how systems are interconnected)
- Have a non-violent approach*
- Have a plan and provide a jointly-decided upon concept note (maximum 4 pages) describing your initiative. Optional video applications (with a different set of instructions) may also be accepted as an alternative.
- Provide a simple budget draft to help us understand how the funds are planned to be used.
- If your network, formation and/or organization is not registered, this is not a problem. We will just need a registered fiscal sponsor who can potentially receive the funds.
* The “Core Group” of the KNRG acknowledges the continual violence waged on poor and marginalized people of the world. A non-violent approach refers to a commitment to utilizing nonviolent and creative means (e.g. acts of protest and persuasion, noncooperation, direct action, civil disobedience, boycotts, strikes, and education) – and not taking up arms – in order to resist and encourage social change. It can be understood as an active form of resistance to injustice.
What do you mean by Sub-Saharan Africa?
The KNRG uses the African Union’s list of Sub-Saharan African countries which include Western, Central, East, and Southern Africa.
Projects must come from and be conducted in countries on these lists. Please consult this list to see if your country is included.
Projects can either be conducted across borders in the continent (between two or more countries or regions), or conducted nationally.
What projects are not eligible for support?
The KNRG does not provide support towards:
- For-profit and/or income-generating efforts
- Government programs
- Infrastructure (homes, buildings, etc)
- Humanitarian aid (food, water and sanitation, school kits, disaster relief, etc.)
- Capital investments (farm equipment, livestock, computers, etc)
- Individual scholarships
Do you fund capital-intensive projects, e.g., the purchase of equipment?
No, we unfortunately do support capital investments (such as farm equipment, livestock, computers, etc.).
We also cannot provide support to the building of infrastructure (homes, buildings, etc)
Can I get money from the KNRG for my personal needs?
No, the KNRG is directed towards organizations/formations/networks – and not individuals. We are not able to provide support to individual scholarships or personal needs.
How many grants will be given?
We estimate that around 20 African networks, organizations, or formations total will receive grants in Cycle 1 of the KNRG.
Who decides on the grants?
The KNRG’s “Core Group” consisting of African activists and civil society members, together with Karibu’s representative, are making decisions on the grants. The group comes from a breadth of backgrounds, ages, regions, and thematic experiences on the continent.
Karibu’s Board must formally approve the grants for legal purposes.
…on the application itself
How do I apply for the grant?
Applicants must submit a concept note, as well as the filled-in budget template, in order to apply.
Please read the “information packet” with information about how to apply, including the specific questions for the concept note and the online registration form. There are also instructions on how to use Karibu’s online “Grant Management System” in order to submit the application.
What should my application include?
All details what need to be included in the application (including the questions that should be covered in the concept note and questions for the grant application registration) can be found in the information packet. Please read this carefully.
How long should my application be?
Concept notes should be maximum four pages, and should answer the four main questions described in the “Concept Note Guidelines”. These guidelines are found in the “Information Packet” (ADD LINK) for the grant program.
Those that choose to submit an alternative video application should follow the guidelines that can be found here.
What is the start-date and duration of projects?
Projects supported by the KNRG should have a start date of 1 January 2023.
Projects can last between 6-12 months.
We recognize that transformation takes time, and thus this duration is understood as a contribution towards transformation.
Does the application have to be in English?
Yes, for practical purposes, applications must be sent in English.
We are aware, however, of the language barrier that English-only applications puts on movements in a multi-language continent with colonial histories. We will therefore try to support those with other language backgrounds in the following ways:
We will conduct the informational webinar in three languages (English, French, Portuguese).
We are also open to processing short-listed concept notes over the telephone/internet in an effort to help ease written communication barriers.
We are open to receiving less-traditional applications in the form of video applications in an effort to help ease written communication barriers.
Do I have to submit my application via the Grant Management system?
Yes, all applications should be submitted via the grant management system (GMS).
Please note that all applications for this grant must be submitted through the “Karibu New Realities Grant: Sub-Saharan Africa” submission button in the GMS.
Communication about the application will also primarily take place within the grant management system.
For detailed instructions on how to use the GMS, please read the “Information Packet“.
Is there a time limit in which I must submit my proposal once I start an application online?
If you are inactive in the Grant Management System (GMS) for 2 hours, you will be automatically logged out.
Please note that the system does not save answers automatically, so you should prepare your answers in advance in the case of internet or electricity issues.
Is there a deadline for the application submission?
Applications for the KNRG are due on August 15th 2022, at 23:59 Central African Time.
Can anyone help me write a grant proposal?
No, the KNRG is unfortunately not able to help in writing grant proposals. You may receive help from others in your network/formation/organization to write the application.
What if I have never written a grant application before and want to apply?
The KNRG is particularly keen on supporting groups that have not already had significant access to grants, so new applications are welcome to apply. Please follow closely the instructions for the concept note in the “Information Packet”.
What if I have questions or need help while filling out the application?
Please attend our online “webinar” on 28th July where we hope we can respond to most general questions. You can register for this webinar below. The webinar will also be recorded and the link will be shared.
Short questions may also be submitted via “WhatsApp” (the number is found in the Information Packet) as a communication channel for this grantmaking program. We will do our best to respond to the best of our ability, but a response is unfortunately not guaranteed due to the potential influx of applications.
…on the budget
Must I submit a budget?
Yes, all applicants must provide a simple budget draft to help us understand how the funds are planned to be used. Applicants should use the budget template that can be downloaded here:
Is there a maximum amount I can apply for?
The KNRG provides small grants, ranging from around 5,000 USD to maximum 15,000 USD.
Does the KNRG support administrative expenses?
Yes, the KNRG can support some indirect costs (administrative expenses). By this, we mean expenses of doing your work that are not readily identified with a particular grant, contract, or project function, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization (office rent, utilities, bank fees). There is a maximum 10% cap on administrative expenses in the project.
The KNRG can support some PERSONNEL COSTS. By this, we mean persons who will be paid or given stipends for their efforts for the project (staff, consultants, volunteers, etc).
Please indicate these costs in the budget template that is submitted with your application.
As a general rule, admin cost plus salaries should not exceed 30% of the grant amount.
Can I use a fiscal sponsor?
If your network, formation and/or organization is not registered, this is not a problem. But we will need a registered fiscal sponsor who can potentially receive the funds.
By fiscal sponsor, we mean a registered organization that agrees to receive funds, have legal responsibility for the funds, and conduct other administrative functions on your group’s behalf. In other words, the administrative “home” of the cause.
…on waiting for a response
How long does it take once a proposal is submitted to go through the approval process and receive funding?
The total process will last around 4-5 months.
- Application deadline: August 15th
- The “Core Group” will meet in mid-September in order to determine a short-list of applications that may be relevant to support.
- Those that are short-listed will be contacted will be contacted in early October 2022 with an invitation to a discussion about the project. Please note: Being short-listed does not guarantee a grant.
- Final decisions on grants will be made in November 2022.
- Funds will be released in December 2022 or January 2023.
When will I hear from the KNRG about my application?
All applications will be informed on the decision about their application by late November 2022.
Can I get updates on my application as it is processing?
An internal link will be shared with applicants after the application deadline, where you can get general updates on the application process. We unfortunately not able to respond to updates about particular applications.
If my application is rejected, can I revise and submit it again?
Perhaps. There will be a Cycle 2 of the KNRG in 2023. It is not yet determined whether applications that did not receive support in 2022 can apply again or if the application process will be the same. More information will be announced in 2023.
My organization was just notified it was short-listed. Does this mean I will be getting a grant?
No, being short-listed does not guarantee that you have received a grant. It is a way for the core group to get to know the organization and the project better before making their final decisions.
Short-listed applications will be invited to a short digital conversation to discuss the project in order for the “Core Group” to learn more. These conversations will take place in October and November 2022.
Final decisions will be made following the conversations with short-listed applications. Unfortunately not all short-listed applications will receive grants.
My organization was just notified that we have been awarded a grant. How do we go about releasing the funds?
The process of releasing the funds will be done in conversation with Karibu following the decision of the grant. More information will be made available to those selected for grants.
… other questions
Can I meet the KNRG Core group before applying?
No, it is not possible to meet the “Core Group” before applying for the KNRG.
Short-listed applications will be invited to conversations with the Core Group before the decision is made.
Are there reporting requirements for this grant?
Yes, those that receive grants will be required to narrative and financial reports on the work of the project. The “Core Group” will strive to ensure that these reporting requirements can be as simple and clear as possible. More information will be provided to those that receive funds.
Can I apply for the KNRG if my organization has previously applied for or received a regular grant from the Karibu Foundation?
Yes, you can apply for a grant to the KNRG if you have previously applied for or received a grant through Karibu’s regular grantmaking program. But you must meet the eligibility requirements for this particular grant in order to apply.
Can I apply for the KNRG and Karibu’s regular grant program at the same time?
Perhaps. But please note that there are different eligibility and application requirements, as well as different selection routines.
In the event that separate applications are sent by the same organization to the two separate grant programs, the KNRG application will be prioritized. No processing will begin on the regular Karibu grant until the KNRG has made its decisions.
Updated 15 June 2022