Strengthening civic engagement and improving resilience of communities impacted by COVID-19

This project aims to enhance National COVID-19 recovery and rebuilding efforts of developing Commonwealth member states particularly in Asia Africa the Caribbean and the Pacific. Project activities include: (1) launching of a Special Grants Call for Proposals for civil society initiatives by the Commonwealth Foundation; (2) awarding up to £30 000 capacity-building grants for community-based Covid-19 recovery and rebuilding initiatives; (3) building grantees’ capacity to engage with government and its agencies and to integrate gender intersectionality into project design and delivery; and (4) supporting grantee engagement in advocacy platforms and policy-making spaces.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased participation by civil society including women and human rights organizations in developing gender-sensitive national policies and practices during and after the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) increased integration of gender equality and diversity considerations in COVID-19 recovery policies and programs by state institutions; and (3) supported the institution of greater protective measures that ensure fundamental freedoms and democratic processes during and after an emergency situation particularly for marginalized communities.