Call for Applications: Catalysts for Cohesion (C4Ɔ) Grant Scheme

Recognising the wealth of new connections, innovative ideas and policy recommendations coming out of the European Policy Dialogue Forum (EPDF), the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) is launching a new grants scheme for young people in European cities, Catalysts for Cohesion (C4Ɔ).

In an increasingly divided Europe, hate speech, racism and community divisions are worsening. Amidst this context, the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) is putting its trust in young people to find innovative ways forward by launching a new grants scheme for young people in European cities called Catalysts for Cohesion (C4Ɔ).

C4Ɔ will support small-scale, innovative change-making initiatives proposed by teams of young people at a city level in line with the EPDF policy recommendations around building cohesive and inclusive communities where everyone feels belonging. Young people are invited to apply in diverse teams of 2-5 members from the same location.

Each team should represent at least two different faith backgrounds; C4Ɔ is also particularly interested in receiving applications from diverse teams representing underserved communities, for example, in terms of gender, race, socioeconomic status and refugee and migrant backgrounds. You could be part of an existing youth organization/movement or it could be the first time you have worked together. Applicants are encouraged to think about building new coalitions before submitting an application.

What you will get?

• Successful teams will receive:
  • EUR 2500-EUR 5000 of funding (based on the needs of their initiative).
  • Support with developing and refining the idea for their initiative ahead of delivery, and ongoing support and troubleshooting during implementation.
  • An informal mentor with relevant expertise from KAICIID’s network of interreligious leaders.
  • An online series of capacity-building trainings from experts in the field.
  • One in-person residential training workshop for two team members of each team.

Policy Briefs

• Each application should pitch an idea for a local initiative that responds to any of the challenges or recommendations contained in one of the following Policy Papers from the 5th EPDF:
  • Countering hate speech: EPDF Policy Brief no. 2: Words that Heal: The Role of Young People in Addressing Hate Speech
  • Promoting refugee and migrant inclusion: EPDF Policy Brief no. 3: Cities fostering belonging: Bolstering the Participation of Young Refugees and Migrants
  • Empowering young people: EPDF Policy Brief no. 4: Leadership in Action: Leadership in Action: How Religious Leaders and Local Authorities Can Foster Social Cohesion by Empowering Youth.

Eligibility Criteria

• The C4Ɔ Grant Scheme is open to enthusiastic young people who have great ideas about how to build social cohesion in their city or locality, but may lack the platforms, resources and dialogue skills to make their ideas a reality.
• Applications are open to mixed teams of 2-5 young people aged 18-30 from any European country as defined by the 46 Member States of the Council of Europe, with an idea for an initiative at the city or local level that implements any of the policy recommendations emerging from the 5th EPDF.
• You could be part of an existing youth based organization/movement or you can apply as a team of individuals. It could be the first time you have worked together, applicants are encouraged to think about building new coalitions before submitting an application.
• While C4Ɔ applicants should already have some experience in intercultural or interreligious work and project management, their leadership journey is not expected to be fully realised, given that young people will have the opportunity to catalyse their own capacities on the programme. The selection process will focus on assessing each team’s potential and the quality of ideas, applicants who have not had a similar opportunity in the past are encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

• Applications received in reply to this Call will be selected according to the following set of criteria:
  • Understanding of local context and problems. They  are looking for applicants who are deeply rooted in their locality and its communities, meaning they can clearly articulate the problems their community faces in relation to social inclusion;
  • Clarity and practicality of proposed project in relation to their objectives and outputs. The proposals should be reasonable and provide a coherent logic between the needs of the local community identified and the solution proposed;
  • Relevance and innovation of proposed project according to the level of alignment of the project proposed with the recommendations contained in the EPDF Policy Briefs, and how innovatively the project responds to those recommendations;
  • Diversity and changemaking experience of participants: while applicants leadership journeys are not expected to be fully realised, priority will be given to teams that are already involved in local changemaking and have the connections to bring communities together across difference, in terms of of gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status and refugee and migrant backgrounds;
  • Your team approach: priority will be given to teams that can coherently articulate their motivations, future aspirations and the approach they will take to working together to foster intercultural relations and building cohesive communities where everyone feels belonging.

For more information, visit KAICIID.