Global Solidarity Fund launched to support small organisations, global citizenship, and international partnerships

The Scottish Government’s Global Solidarity Fund aims to strengthen an informed, engaged and active global citizenship community in Scotland. It supports organisations and communities to work in partnership with counterparts in the Global South to address shared global challenges and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Global Solidarity Fund has a particular focus on strengthening the capacity and impact of smaller organisations and community groups. It is designed to support capacity development by empowering small Scottish‑based civil society organisations (CSOs), social enterprises and local groups that operate on a not‑for‑profit basis. By providing targeted, accessible funding, GSF enables these organisations to develop, build meaningful international partnerships, and engage people across Scotland in global issues.

The fund aims to achieve this through three grant types, as outlined below:

• Scottish Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Strengthening Grant
• Global Citizenship Engagement Grant
• Shifting the Power Grant

What funding is available?

The Global Solidarity Fund offers three types of grant, each designed for different purposes and organisational needs.

1 Scottish Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Strengthening Grants

• Grant size: up to £10,000
• Grant length: up to 1 year

These grants support small Scottish‑based civil society organisations to strengthen their organisational capacity. This may include activities such as training, developing systems or processes, or accessing specialist support to improve effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

2 Global Citizenship Engagement Grants

• Grant size:
  • up to £5,000 for small charities and social enterprises
  • up to £2,000 for unaffiliated groups
• Grant length: up to 1 year

These grants support activities that increase understanding of global issues and encourage participation in global citizenship, primarily within Scotland. This may include community events, engagement activities, or communications and learning initiatives.

3 Shifting the Power Grants

• Grant size: up to £50,000
• Grant length: up to 2 years

These grants support small Scottish‑based organisations to work in partnership with organisations in Malawi, Zambia, or Rwanda, with a focus on locally led development, shared learning, and long‑term sustainability.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the Global Solidarity Fund, applicants must:

• Scottish Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Strengthening Grant:
  • Legally constituted SCIO or Scottish based company with charitable status with an annual income of less than £200k. Applicants must be working in any country with med/low development status (UN Human Development Index)
• Global Citizenship Engagement Grant:
  • Legally constituted SCIO or Scottish based company with charitable status, social enterprise or unincorporated associations who operate on a not-for-profit basis, with an annual income of less than £200k.
• Shifting the Power Grant:
  • Legally constituted SCIO or Scottish based company with charitable status with an annual income of less than £200k. Application must be submitted with partners in Malawi, Zambia or Rwanda.

Organisations do not need previous experience of Scottish Government funding to apply, and first‑time applicants are welcome.

Key dates

• Funding round opens: 1 June 2026
• Application deadline: 23:59 (BST), Monday 10 August 2026
• Expected notification of results: from mid‑September 2026
• Expected grant start date: from 1 October 2026

The Global Solidarity Fund is expected to run for three funding rounds, launching in the first week of June each year.

How to apply

Applications to the Global Solidarity Fund must be submitted through the Flexi‑Grant Application website.

The application pack includes:

• an initial eligibility checker,
• a structured application form with clear word limits,
• guidance documents and FAQs to support applicants.

All application materials are provided in plain English, and support is available for applicants who may face accessibility or language barriers.

Support for applicants

A Global Solidarity Fund Helpdesk is available to support applicants throughout the process.

• Email: GlobalSolidarityFund@niras.com
• The helpdesk aims to respond within three working days.

Information Webinar

This webinar as an online information session for organisations interested in applying to the Global Solidarity Fund (GSF). It will provide an overview of the fund, explain who can apply, the key requirements and how to complete an application using the Flexi Grant website. There will also be the opportunity for participants to ask questions

The session is aimed at small organisations, community groups, and diaspora led organisations, including those new to Scottish Government funding, and will be delivered in English. While live translations will not be available, a recording of the webinar will be shared here after the event, via YouTube. The recording will include automatic subtitles, which can be auto‑translated into the languages available on the platform.

Webinar registration details:

• Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026
• Time: 1 – 2:30 pm (UK time / GMT+1)
• Register: Click here to register

Find out more

Full guidance, eligibility criteria, and application materials will be available online when applications open: https://globalsolidarityfund.flexigrant.com/