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. Communication about the project will also primarily take place within the grant application system. 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
A note on COVID-19: Project applications that are sent to Karibu will also be evaluated based on whether they can be implemented given the constraints presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This also includes considerations for a post COVID-19 reality.
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.
For first time grantees, Karibu rarely provides grants for more than USD 15.000,- to a project spanning over the course of one year. The final amount might be less than this amount.
For grantees with an already well-established relationship with Karibu, grants may potentially be higher.
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.
Are there any changes to funding during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Project applications that are sent to Karibu will also be evaluated based on whether they can be implemented given the constraints presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This also includes considerations for a post COVID-19 reality.
Karibu otherwise subscribes to the values of statement from FundAction, “Call for action: Philanthropy in times of pandemic” when relating to grantees already receiving funds from Karibu.
If I have previously applied, may I apply again?
If you have previously applied for funding but did not receiving funding, you are welcome to apply again. But 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 for the sake of clarity in January 2021.