The AHAC Small Grants Program aims to empower African organizations to implement projects that promote harmonious relationships between humans and animals. We are dedicated to supporting initiatives that not only benefit people, animals, and the environment but also celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the communities we work with. Our goal is to fund projects that bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, creating a holistic approach to improving the well-being of all beings involved.
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Our grants are designed to raise awareness about the importance of human-animal coexistence, foster ethical interactions, and support community-led initiatives that prioritize the humane treatment of animals while also respecting the environment. We believe in enhancing livelihoods through income-generating activities that promote harmony between humans and animals. Additionally, we aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, influence policy, and build capacity to further our understanding of human-animal interactions.
By integrating local and Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary scientific research, we strive to create transformative interventions that benefit both people and animals. We are excited to support innovative projects that align with our mission and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on communities across Africa.
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.
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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.
Application Closing Date:1st September, 2025
