African democracy actors and grassroots organisations encouraged to apply for new P4I grants

The most impactful democracy initiatives almost always come from those people who are shaping and defending their own democracies, says US-based lawyer and non-profit executive Katherine Ellena, a co-founder of Partnerships for Integrity (P4I), who has more than 20 years’ experience with democracy programs worldwide.

This month P4I has launched its new Local Democracy, Community Impact Grants, a global micro-funding initiative designed to support creative, community-led ideas that strengthen civic engagement and democratic participation.

“We’d love to receive ideas from African democracy actors and grassroots organisations for initiatives in their own communities,” Ellena told Africa Legal. 

With the world in an era of geopolitical stress and existential threats to democracy, P4I was established last year by six women, including Ellena, from six different countries, to provide democracy and governance support across the globe, with partners and in an agile, non-bureaucratic, and cost-effective way. 

The six founders - Pascaline Krone, Meredith Applegate, Ellena, Typhaine Roblot, Eva Gil Schäfer, and Melika Atić - are all electoral, legal, and democratic governance experts. Collectively they have more than 125 years of experience working with international development agencies including USAID, departments of foreign affairs and trade, the UN, election commissions, and grassroots civil society organisations. 

Ellena, who among her many projects has previously worked with the Supreme Court of Ethiopia to develop the first-ever nationwide training for judges on election dispute resolution, says the P4I founders have worked with local partners across Africa for many years, and would love to receive ideas from the continent for local initiatives as part of the new Local Democracy, Community Impact Grants. 

The application deadline is 31 August 2026, and successful applicants can receive up to €1,000 to implement projects that create meaningful local impact.

“This initiative is deliberately broad and easy to apply,” she adds. “If there is a democracy need and a great idea in response, we'd love to hear about it!”

Applications are welcome from grassroots organisations, community groups, informal networks, students and young leaders, and individual changemakers. Priority will be given to applicants who can clearly demonstrate how their proposed activity will create tangible benefits for their community. 

The grants are focused on practical, community-driven initiatives that promote democracy, participation and inclusion. Partnerships for Integrity is open to a wide range of ideas, but are particularly interested in projects relating to youth engagement, gender equality, social inclusion, human rights, digital rights, civic participation, addressing threats to democracy, community dialogue and trust building, and innovative approaches to local democratic challenges. 

Individuals and organisations from any country are eligible. 

For more information on the p4I Local Democracy, Community Impact Grants, visit here. Application forms are available in English, French, and Spanish.