The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) plays an active role in encouraging open, informed dialogue on issues of importance in Eastern Africa. Through a combination of grant-making, advocacy, and convening power, OSIEA is able to support as well as amplify the voices of pro-democracy organizations and individuals in the region and to strengthen their capacity to hold their governments accountable. This includes efforts to defend and support rights activists and pro-democracy advocates who come under attack for their work.

OSIEA occupies a unique niche as a donor organization in Eastern Africa. As both a donor and implementor working locally and internationally OSIEA has enormous flexibility in terms of reach and impact. It joins processes that are consultative as well as participatory. Further, its ability to be flexible in our funding criteria allows it to respond quickly to changing situations. Also, the Open Society Foundation add their own voice to debates and are not shy to take on rights issues that are deemed as politically sensitive or controversial.

Who is eligible for the OSIEA Fund?

OSIEA  supports projects in the following programmatic areas:

• Democratic governance and rule of law
• Economic governance
• Health and rights
• Equality and non-discrimination

Open Society Foundation Grant seekers should carefully review the program priorities on the webpage to better know the availability of funds in each of the focus areas.

However, the candidates should note that the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa does not fund travel to attend conferences, seminars or workshops. Nor it provides scholarships for individual studies.

How to apply for the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa Fund?

The Open Society OSIEA provides funds to organizations who are eligible to carry out their projects in Eastern Africa. Moreover, the organizations should submit a proposal (not exceeding 500 words) to apply for the funds. The organization should send their proposal to the Open Society Foundation via email.

The proposal should be keeping in lines with the template for OSIEA funds.

Deadline

The Open Society Foundation has not set a closing date for the Eastern Africa Initiative funds. However, the foundation encourages to apply for the funds early.