The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), through its Participation Programme (2026–2027), is offering a significant funding opportunity for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Non-Governmental Organisations (CBOs) to implement priority development projects in partnership with UNESCO Member States, National Commissions for UNESCO, and eligible regional bodies.
The Participation Programme serves as a catalytic funding mechanism designed to advance UNESCO’s global priorities by supporting high-impact, locally driven initiatives implemented by credible and experienced organisations.
Opportunity Overview
This funding opportunity is particularly well suited to civil society and community-based organisations working at the intersection of:
- Women’s and girls’ empowerment
- Gender equality and social inclusion
- Youth development and leadership
- Sport, physical activity, and wellbeing
Projects that leverage sport and physical activity as tools for social transformation especially to advance gender equality, youth inclusion, and holistic wellbeing are strongly aligned with UNESCO’s Fit for Life initiative and broader strategic objectives.
Strategic Alignment: Sport for Development and Gender Equality
UNESCO places growing emphasis on the use of sport, physical education, and physical activity as effective pathways for advancing equity, leadership, health, and sustainable development. Proposals that demonstrate how sport-based interventions can generate measurable social impact, particularly for women, girls, and young people, will be especially competitive.
Funding Ceilings
Under the UNESCO Participation Programme (2026–2027), approved projects may receive funding up to the following limits:
- US$26,000 – National-level projects
- US$28,000 – Subregional or interregional projects
- US$38,000 – Regional projects
Funding levels are subject to UNESCO approval and availability of resources. The programme is intended to provide catalytic support, complementing existing initiatives rather than serving as sole project financing.
Strategic Focus Areas Supported by BOLD
The BOLD Global Alliance for Women, Girls & Sport (BOLD) provides technical and strategic support to women-led, youth-led, and community-based organisations seeking to meaningfully engage with the UNESCO Participation Programme and scale initiatives that strengthen:
- Women’s and girls’ health, rights, and empowerment through Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport (PEPAS)
- Inclusive sport systems and Quality Physical Education
- Youth leadership development and holistic wellbeing
- Safe sport environments, safeguarding, and protection mechanisms
BOLD is committed to advancing initiatives that position sport as a transformative tool for equity, leadership, and sustainable community impact.
Eligible Organisations
Organisations seeking support under this opportunity should:
- Be legally registered civil society or community-based organisations
- Demonstrate experience in gender equality, youth development, sport-for-development, or related fields
- Be capable of implementing projects in partnership with National Commissions for UNESCO or relevant public institutions
- Align proposed activities with UNESCO’s strategic priorities and Fit for Life framework
Application Pathway
Project proposals under the UNESCO Participation Programme must be submitted through National Commissions for UNESCO in Member States. Interested organisations are strongly encouraged to:
- Engage early with their National Commission for UNESCO
- Develop project concepts aligned with national and UNESCO priorities
- Seek technical guidance and strategic support where necessary
Final selection and approval are conducted by UNESCO based on strategic relevance, feasibility, sustainability, and anticipated impact.
Programme Period: 2026–2027
Submission timelines vary by country (Hower ever, official deadline) for some countries is 10 February 2026. Applicants should confirm national deadlines and procedures with their respective National Commissions for UNESCO.
Click here to apply
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