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The OSC Initiatives mechanism

adia Raharinaivo; animatrice de l'Hotelin Jazakely du quartier de Manarintsoa Centre; vend ses petits pots de Koba Aina. A Madagascar, où 50 % des enfants de moins de 5 ans souffrent de la malnutrition, L'AFD soutient l’ONG Gret qui a créé une entreprise sociale pour fournir un complément alimentaire aux bébés
© Cyril le Tourneur d'Ison / AFD

The AFD's OSC Initiatives program is a structuring and strategic lever for financing international solidarity-driven projects carried out by OSCs governed by French law or local law in the countries in which AFD intervenes.

OSC Initiatives enables co-financing of projects or programs in the field aimed at strengthening the capacities of local civil society organizations, and also enables co-financing of actions of public interest for CSOs in the fields of association structuring (SMA) and education for development and international solidarity (ECSI).

You have a project requiring over €500 thousand, located:

Exceptionally, projects costing between €300,000 and €500,000 may be declared eligible in the case of specific, justified geographical and/or sectoral situations.

 

You have existed for over 3 years and represent:

  • A French association
  • A syndicate under French law involved in development initiatives.
  • A French foundation recognized to be of public utility and implementing international solidarity initiatives.
  • Organizations governed by local law, registered in the countries eligible for official development aid which have been financed at least once directly or through a French OSC on a project completed by an AFD Group entity, regardless of the amount received or through financing from the French embassy for amounts in excess of €100,000.

To see our solutions adapted to your needs

contact the OSC team

Benefits

  • Financing of up to 80% of the overall project budget for a French OSC and 90% for an OSC governed by local law, respectively.
  • Two annual calls for expression of interest (AMI) for projects
  • Support from the OSC team

  • Respect for CSOs' right of initiative, enabling them to submit projects they have prepared themselves. The projects presented must first and foremost promote and strengthen civil society players in the countries concerned by the project and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • For an OSC under French law: financing of several types of projects (field projects abroad in one or more countries, projects of education for development and international solidarity (ESCI) or structuring of partnerships (SMA) in France).
  • For an OSC under local law: financing of field projects in one or more countries; projects for education on sustainable development and global citizenship or structuring of the fabric of local, national or regional associations.