Cross-Cutting / Intersectional Impact: January 2026 Funding Opportunities (17 new opportunities!)
58 cross-sector opportunities spanning youth leadership and enterprise, civil society resilience, climate–health research, MSME growth, fundraising capacity-building, and grassroots infrastructure.
The “Cross-Cutting” landscape for 2026 is where silos go to die. This month’s portfolio is a masterclass in intersectionality, moving away from single-issue fixes to fund the connective tissue of society: civic space, MSME resilience, and youth-led governance.
We’re seeing massive institutional weight from the European Commission in Sierra Leone and Uruguay, paired with high-impact grassroots funding from the Czech and Japanese Embassies across Africa and the Pacific.
The highlights include a staggering €129 million for European youth solidarity, a $100 million initiative in Guyana, and the prestigious €1 million Gulbenkian Prize. Whether it’s Bitcoin-powered human rights work in authoritarian regimes or climate-tech workforce training in Brazil, January is about funding the systemic overlaps that drive lasting justice and economic mobility.
Snapshot of New Opportunities
This section tracks funding that bridges multiple sectors to drive deep-rooted community transformation.
Total Estimated Funding Pool: $450 Million+ USD
The grants are organized into three categories:
Open Calls: Current grant and opportunities with a deadline. Grants are listed by closing date. 25 open opportunities- 15 new opportunities added!
Rolling Applications: current grant and opportunities with rolling applications (but it’s still best to submit as early as possible). 31 rolling opportunities- 2 new!
Long term planning: Grants that have closed their current rounds, but are expected to open new windows. 3 long term opportunities!
A quick tip for returning readers: if you want to jump straight to the newest additions, use CTRL F to search for “New!” and navigate quickly to the latest funding opportunities
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Open Calls:
Local Transformation Projects 2026, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Addis Ababa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic). *New!* *Closing soon!*
The Czech Embassy in Addis Ababa has opened its annual call for Local Transformation Projects to catalyze grassroots change in Ethiopia, the Comoros, and South Sudan. This funding opportunity supports legally registered local NGOs and civil society organizations to implement short-term, high-impact initiatives that advance human rights, equality, non-discrimination, and community inclusion in contexts of transition. Projects should align with the Czech Human Rights and Transition Policy, which prioritizes civil society strengthening, environmental justice, employment rights, and inclusive participation.
Geographies: Ethiopia; South Sudan; Comoros.
Who can apply: Local NGOs/CSOs with legal personality and ability to sign contract under Czech law.
Funding amount: CZK 100,000–500,000 (approx. €4,100–€20,700).
Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Civic Engagement; Focus areas: human rights promotion, equality, non-discrimination, transitional cooperation.Deadline: January 08, 2026.
This program prioritizes local ownership of human rights and governance change - proposals should foreground community-led strategies and measurable justice outcomes.
Empower Innovation Challenge 2026, Tandem Global. *Closing soon!*
This challenge aims to supports 15 organizations across Central America with grants and capacity-building to strengthen the competitiveness, growth, and inclusion of MSMEs. Backed by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Tandem Global, EIC 2026 targets locally rooted, innovation-driven initiatives that help micro, small, and medium enterprises scale, enter new markets, and deepen integration in supply chains, particularly those linked to the United States. Priority sectors include agribusiness, food and beverage, technology, tourism, creative industries, and logistics. Selected grantees also gain membership in the Innovation and Impact Network, expanding visibility, collaboration, and regional influence.
Geographies: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama.
Who can apply: NGOs, universities, non-profits, and for-profits (no economic gain) with 3+ years of MSME support experience and a legal presence in eligible countries.
Funding amount: USD $80,000 per project (15 awards).
Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Livelihoods & Economic Opportunity; Focus areas: MSME strengthening, workforce development, entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems.
Deadline: January 11, 2026.
Proposals that demonstrate strong market linkages, replicable delivery models, and embedded community partnerships are more likely to stand out.
ACT FY2026 Grant – Health, Education, and Youth Development (Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines), Asian Community Trust (ACT). *New!* *Closing soon!*
ACT is inviting proposals for its FY2026 grant cycle from civil society and educational organizations based in Cambodia, Indonesia, or the Philippines. Projects may focus on health, medicine, or youth education and development, including scholarships. Aligned with ACT’s commitment to sustainability and community-driven solutions, successful proposals will emphasize local participation, replicability, gender sensitivity, and self-reliance. Priority is given to organizations that promote regional cooperation and build durable partnerships across sectors.
Geographies: Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines.
Who can apply: Registered nonprofit or educational institutions operating in the three target countries.
Funding amount: JPY ¥1,000,000–2,000,000.
Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: health equity, scholarships, rural outreach.
Deadline: January 13, 2026 (23:59 Japan Time).
ACT’s grant model rewards grounded, regionally-rooted strategies that build long-term self-reliance.
Impact Fund 2025, Rethink Ireland. *New!* *Closing soon!*
Rethink Ireland’s Impact Fund 2025 is a flagship, multi‑year funding opportunity designed to support bold, community‑led solutions to some of Ireland’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. With a total budget of approximately €1.1 million, the fund offers multi‑year grants to organizations that are delivering innovative, tested approaches addressing social exclusion, wellbeing, cultural cohesion, sustainable development and environmental resilience. Alongside cash awards, successful organizations also benefit from tailored non‑financial supports including access to Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Program and capacity building in strategy, impact management, communication, and fundraising, to strengthen their ability to scale impact and influence broader systems change. Projects should have demonstrated proof of concept or minimal operational history and clear pathways to replication or expansion across Ireland.
Geographies: Ireland (Munster and Wexford).
Who can apply: Not‑for‑profit organizations, social enterprises, and community groups with legal nonprofit status.
Funding amount: Up to €96,000 per project (multi‑year).
Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Community Development; Focus areas: equity, wellbeing, cohesion, sustainable resilience.
Deadline: January 16, 2026 (13:00 Ireland time).
This fund blends catalytic cash with deep capacity building - proposals that articulate both community‑level impact and organizational scaling strategies will be strongest.
Call for Proposals 185333 – Civil Society and Human Rights (Peru), European Commission – EuropeAid. *Closing soon!*
This EU-funded call supports civil society organizations in Peru to advance democratic governance, human rights, and inclusive civic participation. Divided into two lots (one for civil society strengthening and the other for rights and democracy) the call focuses on empowering marginalized groups, promoting gender equity, and reinforcing public engagement in democratic life. The program seeks initiatives that expand access to justice, bolster indigenous and youth leadership, and protect civic space. Proposals must show a clear theory of change and alignment with EU strategic priorities in the region.
Geographies: Peru.
Who can apply: Non-profit organizations, civil society actors, and consortia with legal registration and operational presence in Peru.
Funding amount: Grants range EUR €300,000–€900,000.
Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Civic Engagement & Human Rights; Focus areas: civil society strengthening, indigenous rights, democratic participation, access to justice.
Deadline: January 19, 2026 (19:00 Brussels Time).
Proposals that reflect participatory design, clear human rights framing, and alignment with EU values tend to receive stronger consideration.
