The AHAC Small Grants Program is intended to create unique opportunities for African organizations to drive impactful human-animal coexistence initiatives. We encourage eligible applicants to develop innovative and culturally relevant projects that align with our mission to unify the well-being of people, animals, and the environment. We look forward to supporting transformative interventions that meet this overarching objective.
The Alliance for Human-Animal Coexistence (AHAC) provides small grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support organizations and initiatives that promote human-animal coexistence. These grants aim to empower implementing partners to develop projects that enhance and unify the well-being of people, animals, and the environment in ways that fuse Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary scientific approaches.
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Objectives of the Grant
AHAC Small Grants seek to:
1. Increase systemic consciousness about the importance of the Human-Animal Coexistence Interface.
2. Advance ethical and harmonious interactions between humans, animals, and the environment in which all benefit.
3. Support community-led Initiatives that strengthen local organizations working towards the humane treatment of animals in ways that also respect the environment.
4. Enhance livelihoods and support income-generating activities that are linked to the promotion of human-animal coexistence.
5. Facilitate knowledge exchange and information dissemination in ways that influence policy, build capacity, and contribute to the evidence base on human-animal interactions.
6. Foster the integration of local/Indigenous Knowledge systems with contemporary scientific understandings in order to empirically advance the well-being of people, animals, and the environment.
Eligibility and Qualification Criteria
Organizations and institutions seeking funding must meet the following criteria:
3.1. Organizational Requirements
- Must be registered as a non-profit, community-based organization, academic institution, or social enterprise.
- Should either present a unique innovation with a secure implementation plan, or have a track record of at least two (2) years working to promote the well–being of animals, the conservation of the environment, or harmonious human-animal coexistence.
- Demonstrate either a credible capacity for, or proven track record of, financial accountability and the ability to manage funds transparently.
- Have a local presence and community engagement in the country of implementation.
3.2. Project Criteria
- Must align with AHAC’s objectives, particularly in advancing harmonious coexistence among people, animals, and the environment.
- Should be community-driven and locally supported, ensuring long-term impact.
- Proposals should emphasize measurable outcomes, including improvements in the well-being of animals, the environment, and the community implicated.
- Projects should not duplicate existing funded initiatives, but rather complement or innovate within the sector.
- Preference will be given to projects integrating local/Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary scientific understandings and practices.
3.3. Capacity and Implementation Readiness
- Applicants must provide a clear project plan, including objectives, activities, timeline, budget, and expected outcomes.
- Demonstrate capacity to implement the proposed initiative effectively.
- Must have a dedicated team with relevant expertise in the area of focus.
- Be willing to engage in capacity-building and knowledge exchange workshops facilitated by AHAC.
4. Grant Application Process
4.1. Application Submission
- One-page expressions of interest must be submitted through AHAC’s online grant portal or by email within the specified grant cycle. If we see merit in the proposal, applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Submissions may be made in Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, or Portuguese. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a basic risk assessment and mitigation plan.
- The full application submission must include:
- A completed application form.
- A detailed proposal (max 10 pages) outlining objectives, activities, methodology, impact, and sustainability plan.
- A budget breakdown of the requested amount detailing how the grant will be utilized.
- Disclosure of co-funding or any other potential sources of funding for the proposed project.
- Organization’s registration documents and proof of operational status.
- Two (2) letters of reference from stakeholders or community leaders.
- A recent audit report or financial statements (for organizations with previous funding).
. Selection and Evaluation
- Applications will be reviewed by a technical evaluation committee based on:
- Relevance and impact (30%)
- Feasibility and sustainability (25%)
- Innovation and Indigenous knowledge integration (20%)
- Expertise and qualifications of the dedicated team (10%)
- Budget justification and financial accountability (10%)
- Evidence of collaborative funding (5%)
- Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo an interview or site visit before final selection.
4.3. Notification and Grant Agreement
- Successful applicants will be notified within four (4) weeks after the application deadline.
- A Grant Agreement will be signed, detailing responsibilities, expected outcomes, reporting requirements, and fund disbursement conditions.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be notified and may request summary feedback to strengthen future applications.
4A. Grant Cycle Timeline
- Call for Proposals: 1st round, Q1: January-April; 2nd round, Q3: July-September of each year
- Submission Deadlines: 1st round: April 1st; 2nd round: September 1st
- Evaluation and Selection: 4 weeks post-application deadline
- Disbursement of Funds: Within 2 weeks of signing agreement
- Implementation Duration: Up to 12 months
- Reporting and Final Assessment: Ongoing with a final report due 1 month post-completion.
Grant Utilization and Accountability
Approved Use of Funds
Grants must be used for:
- Project implementation costs (e.g., advocacy, training, community mobilization, infrastructure, equipment).
- Capacity building and education (e.g., workshops, awareness campaigns, research).
- Material and logistical support (e.g., humane animal handling tools, conservation materials).
- Operational costs directly linked to the project (capped at 30% of the total budget).
- Monitoring and evaluation activities to track impact.
- All assets procured through AHAC funds must be used strictly for the project’s objectives.
Restrictions on Fund Use
- No more than 10% of the grant may be used for administrative costs unrelated to the project.
- Funds cannot be used for:
- Salaries beyond project personnel.
- Debt repayment or previous project deficits.
- Political activities or lobbying that are not related to the project.
- Personal expenses not linked to the project.
- Large infrastructure investments exceeding 30% of total funds.
- Internal litigation or conflict management not related to the project.
Reporting and Accountability
Grantees must:
- Submit quarterly progress reports including activities, achievements, challenges, and financial updates.
- Provide a final project report within two months of project completion.
- Maintain financial records and allow AHAC to conduct audits if required.
- Participate in mid-term and end-term impact assessments.
- Use AHAC-provided reporting templates
Disbursement of Funds:
- Grants will be disbursed in USD.
- All grantees must provide a verifiable bank account in the name of the organization and submit necessary documentation for financial compliance.
- Contingency Clause: Minor budget reallocations (up to 10% between budget lines) may be permitted with prior written justification.
Ethical Standards
- Applicants must declare any potential conflicts of interest.
- All funded organizations are expected to comply with ESG ethical standards regarding:
- Environmental sustainability and Animal Welfare
- Community engagement
- Child and gender protection
- Transparency, accountability and statutory compliance with standard governance requirements
Dispute Settlement, Resolution, and Appeals
- Any disputes concerning the grant process may be submitted to the AHAC Grants Dispute Resolution Committee.
- Unresolved matters may proceed to a formal appeal process overseen by an independent panel.
- A reserve list of qualified experts is maintained to replace committee members with declared conflicts of interest.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
- AHAC will conduct regular check-ins to support and monitor project progress.
- Grantees are expected to contribute to case studies and best practice documentation.
- A learning exchange platform will be established for grantees to share insights and innovations.
- Grantees will be encouraged to document project progress using photo essays, short videos, or oral storytelling.
- Learnings from grantees will inform AHAC programming, guide future funding cycles, and contribute to regional or global knowledge products.
Renewal and Future Funding
- Successful projects demonstrating impact and sustainability may be eligible for follow-up funding or scaled-up grants.
- Repeat applications will be accepted after a minimum of one (1) year from the completion of the previous project.
- A maximum of two (2) repeat funding cycles will be allowed per organization, after which scaling or exit strategies must be discussed.
Deadline: 1 September 2025