Joint India Programme
Application Deadline
No deadline
Funding Agency
Oak Foundation
Funding Amount
US$25000
The Indian government provides safety nets for the most vulnerable but many people find it hard to access them because of social and geographical barriers. We recognize that it will take time to make these provisions readily accessible for everyone and hope to assist in this process.
In the Joint India Programme, we have five Oak Programmes that work together to address a combination of issues that affect populations with less access to resources in Jharkhand and West Bengal located in east India. Ultimately, we aim to: improve the lives of the most marginalized groups; institutionalize practices that address poverty and social injustice; and build strong organizations at the grassroots.
Priority Areas
Our grant-making involves the following:
· Supporting safe migration and fair labour. For example, we fund the Jharkhand Anti-trafficking Network, a cohort of 14 local organizations. It supports migrant communities to access information that helps them collaborate with the government to ensure the effective implementation of laws and policies. This helps protect them socially and economically, thus helping prevent their exploitation.
· Supporting sustainable urban development, responsive governance and safety in mobility. For example, we fund Ekjut in Jharkhand, which helps build the capacity of the State Department of Urban Planning and Development, city corporations and civil society to understand the needs of the urban poor and homeless populations, and provide them with appropriate services.
· Supporting sustainable use and conservation of natural resources. For example, we fund the Global Green grants Fund to support small and marginal farmers to practice organic agriculture as a strategy to adapt to climate change.
· Supporting freedom from violence in public and private spaces. For example, we fund SWAYAM in West Bengal to mobilize communities to stop tolerating violence. It also provides support to survivors of violence, including psychosocial counseling, legal and medical aid and shelter.
All of our grants work simultaneously on cross-cutting themes, such as:
· Empowerment, citizenship and leadership, by supporting communities (including women and other marginalized groups) to access information, participate fully in decision-making processes and realize their entitlements and full potential; and
· Capacity building, by strengthening organizational practices that represent diverse communities, and improve systems abilities to represent grassroots people in negotiation with the government and other key actors.
Special Interest grants cover a wide range of fields, including health, humanitarian relief, education and the arts. They are made to organizations whose activities the Trustees wish to support, irrespective of country or region.
Eligibility Criteria
We do not provide support to individuals, and do not provide funding for scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. We also do not fund religious organizations for religious purposes or election campaigns.
Drawing from the principles of the Child Abuse, Environment, Housing and Homelessness, International Human Rights and Issues Affecting Women Programmes, we support initiatives that:
· work to prevent violence against children;
· create strong, visible and effective women’s movements;
· prevent trafficking and exploitation;
· help achieve housing stability;
· multiply and amplify influential voices; and
· work with governments to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
How to Apply
Organizations who are interested in seeking a grant should submit a letter of enquiry through our online form (available on this link: http://oakfnd.org/content/8414)
We will respond within three months if we require further information or if the applicant is invited to submit a formal proposal. Unfortunately, due to the volume of requests that we receive if you do not receive a reply, please assume your enquiry was not accepted.
We would be most appreciative if you do not contact the Foundation directly to discuss your request. For initial contact, please do not telephone or visit the offices. Thank you for your understanding.
Application Format
Organizations who are interested in seeking a grant should submit a letter of enquiry through our online form (available on this link: http://oakfnd.org/content/8414)
Contact Details
For more information about Priority Areas and other information, please visit the following links: