Safer Cities Fund 2026 - Call for Proposals
Trial Institutional Donor FundOverview
A trial call supporting community safety, public lighting and violence reduction in peri-urban neighbourhoods affected by displacement.
Funding
Total envelope: USD 500,000 – 2,000,000
Per project: USD 80,000 – 250,000
Key dates
- Opens: 7/27/2026
- Submission deadline: 9/4/2026
- Decision expected: 9/28/2026
- Implementation starts: 10/28/2026
- Implementation ends: 10/28/2027
Purpose
Reduce night-time insecurity and violence exposure for displaced and host communities through infrastructure, community policing alternatives and livelihoods.
Background and context
Rapid urban growth around displacement sites has outpaced basic services. Unlit streets and weak community structures drive gender-based violence, school drop-out and youth recruitment.
Objectives
1. Expand safe, lit public spaces in high-risk neighbourhoods. 2. Strengthen community-led protection and referral mechanisms. 3. Create short-cycle livelihoods for at-risk youth.
Expected results
- 15,000 residents living in better-lit public spaces - 25 community protection committees active and reporting - 600 at-risk young people in paid work or apprenticeships
Thematic priorities
Protection, urban resilience, energy access, youth livelihoods
Organization eligibility
National or international non-profits legally registered in the country of implementation, with at least two years of audited accounts and an active safeguarding policy.
Project eligibility
Projects must already be registered and approved on the platform, operate in a peri-urban or displacement-affected area, and be able to report verified field evidence.
Additional eligibility notes
Registered non-profit, two years audited accounts, active safeguarding policy, project already approved on the platform.
Eligible costs
Solar street lighting and installation, community mobilisation, protection case management, youth stipends and apprenticeships, monitoring and verification.
Ineligible costs
Vehicle purchase, land acquisition, cash transfers without a protection rationale, retroactive costs.
Required proposal information
Project reference on the platform, requested amount, alignment with the objectives, implementation approach, and any co-funding already secured.
Required documents
Registration certificate, latest audited accounts, safeguarding policy, security management plan.
Evaluation criteria
Relevance to objectives (30), technical approach and feasibility (25), verified delivery track record (20), value for money (15), safeguarding and risk management (10).
Submission instructions
Submit through the platform by selecting one of your approved projects and completing the alignment note. One proposal per project.
Submission guidelines
Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis; incomplete submissions are returned for correction.
Funding notes
Total envelope of USD 2,000,000. Co-funding is welcome but not required. Overheads capped at 8% of direct costs.