Re-D Fund
: Reimagining Futures for Digital Democracy
The Re-D Fund is a financial support mechanism that provides microgrants to civil society groups using digital technologies to expand civic participation, advance rights-based reforms, and strengthen organizational resilience in the digital age.
The Fund addresses the shrinking civic space and barriers to funding by:
Seeding new
or
early-stage initiatives
Supporting the
-scale implementation or replication of proven initiatives
Bringing the Fund closer to groups that are underrepresented in traditional funding models
Intended Outcome
Local civil society groups in East and Southeast Asia gain more equitable access to financial and non-financial resources and support networks, enabling them to implement strategies that strengthen their democratic foundations in the face of challenges in the digital age.
The Re-D Fund
Who We Support
At least 100 local partners are expected to benefit from the Re-D Fund, with at least 50% of the subgrantees coming from marginalized groups, including:
Women
Youth
Informal and Grassroots Groups
Indigenous Peoples
Gender Minorities
The Re-D Fund
Eligible Groups
Civil society groups, collectives, communities, or networks representing marginalized groups
Operating in closed, repressive, or obstructive countries in East or Southeast Asia (as defined by the CIVICUS Monitor) and eligible for official development assistance (OECD DAC)
Has been in operation for at least 3 years
Legally registered in an East or Southeast Asian country or working with a host organization or fiscal sponsor
Able to receive grants directly or through the host organization’s or fiscal sponsor’s bank account
The Re-D Fund
Thematic Tracks
Projects supported by the Re-D Fund are expected to address civic space in the digital age through one or more of the following priority areas:
This cluster focuses on efforts to strengthen and improve legal and policy frameworks that safeguard fundamental civic freedoms, such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association, while also promoting democratic innovation in governance. It supports research to understand the legal landscape, advocacy campaigns to promote reforms, and platforms for policy dialogue among stakeholders. Activities aim to create an enabling environment where civic freedoms are actively protected and advanced through evidence-based interventions, including fostering new participatory and inclusive governance models that deepen citizen engagement and improve democratic decision-making.
Activities include, but are not limited to, legal research, policy research, advocacy campaigns, policy dialogue forums, monitoring of government transparency, and human rights monitoring and documentation.
This area focuses on empowering marginalized communities—such as women, youth, gender minorities, ethnic minorities, and informal grassroots organizations—to actively participate in civic and political processes, including fostering new participatory and inclusive governance models that deepen citizen engagement and improve democratic decision-making.
Activities include, but are not limited to, capacity-building initiatives tailored to these groups, creating inclusive platforms for dialogue and leadership, and ensuring that digital tools and spaces are accessible, safe, and effective for their engagement.
This cluster is dedicated to empowering civil society actors to increase their visibility, engage effectively with the public and policymakers, and shape regional and global discourse. The focus is on building the capacity of individuals and groups, forming coalitions for collective action, and raising public awareness through education and campaigns.
Activities include, but are not limited to, capacity-building workshops, coalition-building meetings, public engagement campaigns, civic and political education, and regional and global advocacy.
This cluster focuses on building the holistic resilience of civil society actors by addressing multiple dimensions of risk, including psychosocial, legal, financial, and digital threats. It supports the development of resources and capacities to withstand and recover from digital attacks and threats, as well as strengthening the foundations of civil society organizations so that they can have a long-term and sustainable impact. This approach recognizes that sustainable civic engagement requires holistic support systems.
Activities include, but are not limited to, capacity building, resource development for psychosocial, legal, and digital resilience, research and monitoring of digital threats and attacks, and the development of internal policies and procedures.
This cluster aims to broaden and diversify the resource base of civil society organizations to ensure their long-term sustainability. It supports efforts to develop fundraising skills, pilot innovative income-generating activities, establish shared infrastructure, and advance civic technology. The goal is to reduce reliance on traditional funding and strengthen the financial independence and operational effectiveness of civil society organizations.
Activities include, but are not limited to, research and advocacy for funding diversification, training in fundraising skills, piloting income-generating initiatives, shared infrastructure, and civic tech development.
The Re-D Fund
Grant Structure
Two cohorts—
—of subgrantees
Prioritized project locations:
, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
The Re-D Fund
COHORT
COHORT I
For 50 subgrantees implementing projects under the "
"
March 1 – May 31, 2026
COHORT II
For 50 subgrantees implementing projects under the "
" initiative
July 22 – October 23, 2026
Apply by June 5, 2025.
The Re-D Fund
Grant Amount (Up to)
for Joint Applications (2 or more organizations)
for Single Application
The Re-D Fund
Sub-Granting Process
