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Core and Institutional Support to Multi-Issue Policy CentersThe Open Society Institute Think Tank Fund supports independent, nonpartisan, multi-issue public policy centers working in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, and Ukraine to promote inclusive policy change.
"Inclusive policy change" refers to a policymaking process that is open, transparent, and responsive to the public interest. The Think Tank Fund aims to support policy centers that help strengthen democratic processes in their countries by identifying and analyzing policy options, consulting with the government to advance their recommendations, involving stakeholders outside government circles in policy debates, and making their findings widely available to the public. Thus, while potential grantees should engage with public authorities, the fund also seeks to fund organizations that galvanize public support for and debate about the issues on which they are working. The fund currently directs its support primarily to those groups examining economic, political and social reform issues in their countries, with emphasis on governmental responsibility and effectiveness.
The Think Tank Fund's strategy is not to support specific issues or themes but to encourage an approach to public policy work that promotes inclusive policy change using a combination of the following methods. Policy centers must undertake thorough research and develop thematic expertise in order to inform public debate responsibly and to position themselves as credible partners for the government and other actors. Recognizing that different issues will necessitate varying means of engagement with the government—sometimes even requiring an adversarial approach—organizations should be able to influence the government in both defining priorities and developing policy options. We encourage think tanks to prioritize the needs they see as most pressing and act on them, rather than be lead only by donors' priorities.
Applied research and engagement with the government are insufficient on their own, however, to create inclusive policy change in democratic societies. To foster sustained impact, organizations must engage stakeholders from across the spectrum, involving other civil society actors and the media in the policy debate as well as the relevant governmental actors. Meaningful public advocacy, therefore, is an essential ingredient in the policy development process.
Finally, in order to ensure that the policy development process does not end with declarations but changes practice, some degree of monitoring is required. All too often policy change exists only on paper. By generating public demand and monitoring governmental implementation of previously adopted policies, organizations not only promote policy options but also advocate policy change. The Think Tank Fund understands that the extent to which organizations employ each of these tools will vary, depending upon the national political context, the capacities of the individual organization, and the issues being addressed.
Eligible Countries
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia & Kosovo, and Ukraine.
To Apply
Prior to sending a full proposal, applicants should send a brief concept paper of no more than four pages. The Think Tank Fund will use this paper to determine whether proposals meet the fund's current priorities and guidelines. The concept paper should include:
- A brief description of main policy areas and rationale for identifying these areas, overall programmatic strategy, goals, methodology and planned activities for the suggested grant period
- Information about the applicant organization, brief history and list of main accomplishments; and a brief strategy for organizational development
- Rationale, purpose, and timeframe for the requested core and institutional funding accompanied with a brief description of the expected added value to the current applicant's work and funding
- Estimated amount of the requested core funding, information on the overall organizational budget for the granting period
Note: Applicant organizations are invited to attach additional information about their organization.
Once the fund has reviewed concept papers, grant seekers may be invited to submit a full funding proposal. The narrative part of the proposal should not exceed 10-15 pages. Other relevant information should be appended. While there are no application forms, the Think Tank Fund expects all proposals to outline the thematic priorities of the organization, indicating how and why these issues were selected and the context in which the activities of the applicant take place, and provide a clear description of the methods to be utilized in implementing the programs.
Proposals should also provide an overview of the applicant organization, describing the history, governance, management structure, and their strategy for the coming years. Applicants should identify not only broad goals, but also specific benchmarks to measure their success in promoting inclusive policy change and their capacity to perform in a competitive environment. Finally, the Think Tank Fund requests a full organizational budget, detailing funds requested from the Open Society Institute as well as funding received from other Soros foundations, OSI network entities, and any other donors. Proposals and budgets should ideally cover a 2-3 year period. Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will be provided with detailed guidelines on the contents of the future funding proposal.
Applicants should email a concept paper to the Think Tank Fund at the email address below. The program accepts proposals on an ongoing basis.
Decision-Making Process
The OSI Policy Advisory Board will make the funding decisions, and grants will be awarded on a matching-funds basis. There are no deadlines for the submission of proposals, but interested organizations are recommended to contact the fund for more information prior to submitting a concept paper.
While the fund does not pre-set funding ceilings, it expects applicant organizations to demonstrate funding from other donors. Once a complete application has been received, it typically takes about three months to complete the application review process and deliver a decision.
Contact Information
Open Society Institute
Think Tank Fund
Oktober 6. u. 12.
Budapest 1051, Hungary
Tel: +36-1-327-3000, ext. 2244
Fax: +36-1-235-3101
ttf_applications@osi.hu
