West Africa Democracy Fund 2026: Apply for Up to $500,000 Grant
Applications are now open for the West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF) 2026, a major funding opportunity for organisations working to strengthen democratic governance across West Africa.
The fund supports projects that promote citizen engagement, accountability, institutional strengthening, and inclusive governance systems in the region.
About the West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF)
The West Africa Democracy Fund was launched in Abuja, Nigeria by TrustAfrica with support from major international partners.
The fund is backed by:
- Ford Foundation
- MacArthur Foundation
- Luminate Group
- Open Society Foundations
- Carnegie Corporation of New York
WADF aims to support initiatives that improve governance outcomes and expand civic space across West Africa.
Eligible Countries
Organisations from the following countries can apply:
- Burkina Faso
- Ghana
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Togo
Regional organisations operating across West Africa or at ECOWAS level can also apply.
Grant Categories and Funding Amount
Applicants can apply under any of the following grant categories:
- Small Grants: From $50,000
- Medium Grants: Up to $250,000
- Large Grants: Up to $500,000
Projects can run for 12 to 24 months and may be submitted by:
- A single organisation
- A consortium
- A network
Thematic Areas
Proposals must align with at least one of the following areas:
Multi-stakeholder Dialogues
- Public consultations and town hall meetings
- Citizen engagement platforms
- Dialogue on governance and national issues
- Initiatives to promote social cohesion
- Platforms to counter misinformation
Advocacy for Institutional Reform
- Projects that improve policies and governance systems
- Inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups
- Engagement with regional bodies like ECOWAS and the African Union
- Promotion of democratic reforms and accountability
Strengthening Public Institutions
- Support for judiciary and electoral bodies
- Capacity building for key institutions
- Technical assistance and training
- Institutional reforms to strengthen governance systems
Innovative Projects
- New ideas and approaches to improve democracy
- Local or community-based governance solutions
- Creative strategies for citizen participation
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the WADF 2026, organisations must:
- Be legally registered and operating in any of the eligible countries
- Have experience in governance, democracy, or civic engagement
- Have experience managing projects and budgets similar to the grant size
- Demonstrate capacity to implement the proposed project
For consortium applications, the lead organisation must have proven experience managing similar projects.
What the Fund Will Not Support
The fund does not support:
- General institutional funding without a clear project
- Election monitoring activities
- Partisan political activities
- Promotion of political candidates
- Lobbying for specific legislation
- Organisations on restricted or sanction lists
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply is: April 30, 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.
How to Apply for WADF 2026
Interested organisations must apply online through the official application platform.
Apply here: https://trustafrica.org/call-for-round-one-applications-2026-west-africa-democracy-fund/
Applications must be submitted via the Fluxx platform. Submissions by email or paper will not be accepted.
Applicants can submit their proposals in English or French.
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