Subscribers might like to know that the Commonwealth Foundation's Open Grants Call is now accepting applications. The organisation is especially interested to receive applications from organisations in eligible small and vulnerable states. Eligible organisations can apply for a grant worth between £15,000-£30,000 per year for projects that lead to meaningful and constructive engagement between civil society and government. More details can be found at this link.

The Commonwealth Foundation is one of the Commonwealth's three intergovernmental agencies alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth of Learning.  The role of the incoming Director-General - currently Anne Therese Gallagher AO - ensures she is also the Commonwealth's Ambassador for Civil Society. 

Two YSEALI East-West Center USA program graduates, Fahmi Dwilaksono (Indonesia) and Lum Jason (Malaysia) recently created an innovation laboratory called FARM-iLAB through the support of East-West Center Alumni Incubator Program. This project promotes sustainable organic farming systems to young farmers in Southeast Asia.

This month's Newsletter focuses on "Civic voice" through the aims of the Commonwealth Foundation as progressively reported through their Strategy 2017-21.  Within this, the issues of gender equality and inclusion with actions around strengthening civic voice and enhancing participatory governance are addressed.  Climate change is also a key concern, especially for Caribbean and Pacific nations.