Small Grants Big Impacts
Small grants funds offer an effective, alternative way to channel big money from large donors and funds to local groups and organisations that are striving for a sustainable and just society everywhere around the world.
Believe it or not, parts of the Sahel are becoming green and fertile. This doesn't happen entirely by itself though: In the 1980s, male and female farmers in the South of Niger started restoring the fertility of their land using a traditional method that had long been forgotten. They were supported with a small grant of just 5.000 euros. Thirty years later, 80 villages in the district of Dogonkiria have already adopted this traditional agro-forestry method and 11,000 hectares of land are currently regaining their fertility. This shows how a small amount of money, used the right way by the right people, can lead to great results.
Thousands of grassroots groups and organisations are working worldwide to protect and improve the environment, human rights and the living conditions of local communities. Together they form an enormous force for sustainable development, not only because they know exactly where the pain is and how it can be eased effectively, but also because they show how that natural resources can be managed in a sustainable, just and inclusive manner.
Local organisations too small and invisible
Unfortunately, the current system of financing is not designed to support these groups effectively. Most financial institutions, donors, and funders want to spend their money in the most efficient way, which means that money mainly goes to large projects. The positive effect of these large projects on local people and their environment on the long term is questionable.
Because of their small size, grassroots groups and organisations cannot meet the bureaucratic requirements set by major international funds, donors and financial institutions, or these groups are simply invisible. Moreover, some of them cannot operate openly for security reasons, let alone showing a 'track record'.
Small Grants Funds redivide the 'big money'
The dozens of existing, locally set up small grants funds can form the link between large donors and these grassroots organisations. These national or regional funds, raise funds with large donors and pass it on in smaller amounts – often not larger than a few thousand euros – to local organisations and groups. Small grants funds thus make sure that 'big money' ends up with those who know best what is really needed on a local level.
Small grants funds not only provide financing, but also share information and knowledge, help build networks and conduct joint lobby activities. Recipient organisations always decide for themselves what they spend the money on. Small grants funds can also respond promptly and effectively to crises, for example where environmental and human rights defenders come under threat. With small amounts of money, these people can quickly be brought to safety.
Building the future with existing small grants funds
Both ENDS is the co-founder of a number of small grants funds and works closely with funds that focus on environmental and human rights defenders, Our experience has taught us that these funds are indispensable in getting donated money to the right place and in generating maximum impact with minimum resources. Small grants funds are powerful alternative financing mechanisms for sustainable development stemming from a grass root level, and for citizen's initiatives in areas that are getting less and less conventional funding because the circumstances are getting ever more dangerous and insecure.
On a national and international level, Both ENDS calls upon countries to make much more use of small grants funds in the implementation of their policies. This can be done, for instance, by making sure that all international financial institutions (IFI's) that the Netherlands and other countries transfer money to, such as the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund, disburse a large part of their funds via the already existing network of small grants funds. Furthermore, countries can distribute part of their bilateral grants and aid via small grants funds.
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Dossier /
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Letter / 9 December 2024
People and the Planet Entebbe Declaration: Reclaiming investment frameworks for people and the planet
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News / 2 December 2024
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News / 2 December 2024
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News / 2 December 2024
Both ENDS at UNCCD COP16
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News / 31 March 2022
Well-deserved recognition for small grants funds!
We are exited about the news that Ms MacKenzie Scott decided to entrust substantial funding to a wide range of small grants funds from Both ENDS' partner networks*. These small grants funds are unique as they are set up and led by people, often activists themselves, from the country or region in which the fund is based. Most mainstream conventional funders admit they have difficulties reaching community based organisations and grassroots groups themselves. Small grants funds know better than anyone how to reach local communities, who to support and what kind of financial as well as non-financial support is most needed. Thus, they bridge a wide funding gap. Both ENDS applauds this recognition of the important role of these funds in the funding landscape. We hope this encourages more funders to join!
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News / 24 February 2022
1,380,000 euros from the Dutch Postcode Lottery for local women’s groups
We are delighted that the Dutch Postcode Lottery has approved our proposal to support an extra project to the tune of 1,380,000 euros! The proposal, for an Autonomy and Resilience Fund (ARF), was submitted by the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA), which comprises the Fondo Centroamericano de Mujeres (FCAM), Mama Cash and Both ENDS. With the ARF, GAGGA works with Small Grants Funds to help local women's groups become resilient in a changing world in which it is increasingly difficult for them to hold their heads above water. The award of this large sum of money means an enormous boost for many women's organisations, and this is badly needed at a time when economic, climate and health crises are constantly putting the resilience of women, their communities and their living environments around the world to the test!
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Publication / 8 November 2019
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External link / 29 May 2019
Local access to climate finance (Annual Report 2018)
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Event / 19 June 2018, 09:15 - 11:00
Adaptation Futures - Session on Small grants, big impacts
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Event / 13 April 2018, 11:30
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News / 10 November 2017
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Publication / 11 October 2017