Call for Proposals: Communities in Charge Fund

The Communities in Charge (CiC) Fund provides microgrants of $5,000 to $10,000 to Southeast Asian civil society and rights-based organizations working to advance a just, inclusive, and people-centered energy transition. Managed by Oxfam Pilipinas as the Secretariat of the Asia Network for People’s Energy (ANPE), the fund supports grassroots-led research, advocacy, campaigns, community engagement, and other initiatives that strengthen community participation in energy transition decisions. What Is the Communities in Charge Fund? The Communities in Charge Fund is a regional microgrant mechanism designed to strengthen grassroots leadership in Southeast Asia’s transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. The fund recognizes that the energy transition should not only focus on renewable energy deployment and emissions reduction. It should also ensure that communities, workers, women, Indigenous peoples, and other affected groups have meaningful participation in decisions about energy systems and transition-related investments. The fund supports local and national initiatives that contribute to a more equitable energy transition through advocacy, research, community organizing, policy engagement, and knowledge generation. Who Manages the CiC Fund? The fund is managed by Oxfam Pilipinas, which serves as the Secretariat of the Asia Network for People’s Energy (ANPE). ANPE is a coalition of Southeast Asian civil society organizations working on issues related to energy justice and the transition toward more equitable energy systems.

Its work includes:

Network building Knowledge sharing Campaigning Resource mobilization Regional cooperation Advocacy for a just energy transition What Is a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition? A just energy transition means moving toward cleaner and more sustainable energy systems while ensuring that the social, economic, human rights, and environmental consequences of that transition are addressed fairly. The CiC Fund seeks to support organizations that help communities become active participants rather than passive recipients of energy transition policies and projects. What Activities Does the Fund Support? The Communities in Charge Fund can support a variety of local or national initiatives related to energy transition. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to the goals of a just and inclusive energy transition. Examples of Potential Project Themes The fund specifically highlights several areas where grassroots organizations can develop initiatives. Community Ownership and Participation Organizations can develop guidelines or approaches that strengthen community ownership and meaningful participation in renewable energy and other energy transition projects. Gender-Transformative Engagement Projects can explore ways to institutionalize gender-transformative stakeholder engagement, ensuring that women and marginalized groups have meaningful influence over energy decisions. People-Centered Evaluation Applicants may develop evaluation frameworks that assess energy transition initiatives from the perspective of affected communities and rights holders. Social, Human Rights, and Environmental Assessments Projects may conduct assessments examining the potential social, human rights, or environmental impacts of energy transition projects. Renewable Energy and Transition Minerals The fund can also support policy advocacy and initiatives that promote better alignment of renewable energy and transition mineral policies with community rights and social and environmental safeguards. Grant Amount and Duration

The CiC Fund provides:

Grant amount: $5,000 to $10,000 per organization

Implementation period: 6 months

Expected number of grantees: Approximately 7 to 10 organizations

The grants are intended to support focused initiatives that can be implemented within the six-month funding period. What Costs Can the Grant Cover? Grant funding can support reasonable costs directly associated with approved project activities.

Allowable costs may include:

Workshops Community consultations Capacity-building activities Consultancy costs Staff time Administrative expenses Operational expenses Travel Accommodation related to project activities Applicants should ensure that their financial proposal clearly connects costs to the proposed activities and expected results. Who Is Eligible? The CiC Fund is open to organizations working in Southeast Asia with relevant experience in just energy transition issues.

Eligible applicants include:

Civil society organizations Rights-based organizations Local organizations National organizations Coalitions Networks Grassroots organizations Both legally registered and unregistered local organizations may apply. Unregistered organizations can seek support from a suitable host organization to facilitate the transfer and management of grant funds. Geographic Eligibility Applicants must be based in Southeast Asia. The initiative should have a clear local or national connection to the communities, policies, or energy transition challenges being addressed. What Does the Fund Look For?

Strong applications should demonstrate:

Experience working on just energy transition issues Meaningful grassroots or community engagement A clear rights-based approach Understanding of local energy transition challenges Practical and achievable project objectives Potential to influence policy, practice, or community participation Clear benefits for affected or marginalized communities A realistic six-month implementation plan How to Apply The application process is designed to be relatively simple and begins with a concept note.

Step 1: Develop a Concept Note

Prepare a concise concept note explaining: The problem or issue Project objectives Target communities Proposed activities Expected results Relevance to a just energy transition Organization’s relevant experience The proposal should clearly explain why the initiative is needed and how it will strengthen co