Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) Small Grants Program 2026

Funding Support for Community Driven International Engagement

The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF) Small Grants Program is a competitive grants initiative designed to strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and countries around the world. Administered by IREX, CDAF supports community-focused projects that promote mutual understanding, cooperation, and positive exchange.

This program offers small grants to organizations and individuals whose work bridges cultural and civic divides through civic engagement, media and arts, youth empowerment, leadership development, and community diplomacy.

What Is the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund

1. An international small grants programme that supports citizen diplomacy projects.
2. Designed to deepen connections between Americans and global communities.
3. Encourages projects that foster cross-cultural understanding and inclusive engagement.
4. Prioritizes innovative, community-driven outreach with measurable impact.
5. Supports initiatives led by civil society organizations, grassroots groups, academic institutions, and local leaders.

Key Objectives of CDAF

1. Promote people-to-people diplomacy beyond formal government channels.
2. Support community leadership in addressing local and global challenges.
3. Strengthen civic participation and social inclusion.
4. Encourage cross-cultural dialogue and collaborative action.
5. Build sustainable networks that bridge borders and perspectives.

Types of Projects Funded

1. Community Exchanges: Initiatives that bring American and international participants together for mutual learning.
2. Civic Education & Engagement: Projects that strengthen democratic participation and civic leadership.
3. Media & Storytelling: Activities that amplify diverse voices, promote media literacy, and counter misinformation.
4. Arts & Cultural Diplomacy: Creative programmes that use the arts to build global understanding.
5. Youth Leadership: Initiatives that empower young people to lead community and international cooperation efforts.
6. Local Partnerships: Collaborative efforts between U.S. and global organizations addressing shared challenges.

Who Can Apply

1. Civil society organizations with a track record of community engagement.
2. Nonprofits, local associations, and grassroots groups.
3. Educational institutions and research centres.
4. Community leaders and small local networks with strong project proposals.
5. Teams with experience in cross-cultural dialogue or international collaboration.

Eligibility typically requires a clear demonstration of organisational capacity, community support, and a feasible project plan capable of creating meaningful citizen diplomacy impact.

What the Grants Cover

1. Direct project costs including materials, facilitation, and outreach.
2. Travel and exchange support for participants where applicable.
3. Fees related to training, workshops, or community events.
4. Communication, media production, and promotional materials.
5. Monitoring and evaluation activities to measure project effectiveness.

Grants are sized to support small-to-medium scale initiatives with direct impact on participating communities.

How Projects Are Selected

1. Proposal Quality: A well-structured idea that clearly addresses the goals of citizen diplomacy.
2. Impact & Sustainability: A plan that shows measurable outcomes and long-term benefits.
3. Feasibility: Demonstrated ability to implement the project successfully.
4. Collaboration: Strong partnerships, particularly across borders or communities.
5. Innovation: Creative approaches that foster meaningful engagement and understanding.

Submission Timeline

1. Call for Proposals Opens: Each year, CDAF releases a formal call inviting applications.
2. Application Deadline: Applicants must submit proposals by the specified deadline before review begins.
3. Review Period: Proposals are evaluated by a panel of experts.
4. Notification of Awards: Selected grantees are announced following evaluation.
5. Project Implementation: Funded projects begin and carry out scheduled activities.

Exact dates for the 2026 cycle are published in the programme’s official announcement for that year.

Why Citizen Diplomacy Matters

1. People-to-people engagement builds understanding beyond government diplomacy.
2. Local leaders can address misperceptions and bridge divides through shared experiences.
3. Empowering communities strengthens civic participation and social cohesion.
4. Exposure to diverse cultures fosters tolerance and collaborative solutions.
5. Grassroots initiatives often create sustained networks of cooperation and dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund?
   It is a small grants programme that supports community-driven international engagement projects.
2. Who can apply for CDAF grants?
   Civil society groups, educational institutions, nonprofits, and community leaders with relevant project ideas.
3. Are individuals eligible?
   Some categories allow individual leaders if they are part of or affiliated with eligible organizations.
4. What types of projects are funded?
   Projects in civic engagement, cultural exchange, youth leadership, media storytelling, local partnerships, and more.
5. Is travel funding included?
   Grants may cover travel expenses if necessary to achieve project objectives.
6. How competitive is the selection?
   Selection is competitive; proposals must demonstrate clarity, impact, feasibility, and community engagement.
7. Do projects need partners?
   While not required, collaborative partnerships — especially transnational ones — are strongly encouraged.
8. Is ongoing support provided after the grant?
   Grantees often gain access to networks, training, and follow-up support beyond the initial funding.
9. Can projects focus on policy advocacy?
   Projects should focus on people-to-people engagement and community impact rather than direct political campaigning.
10. How long do funded projects run?
    Project durations vary but are typically structured around a clearly defined timeline within the grant period.