Re-D Fund 2026: Microgrants for Digital Democracy in East and Southeast Asia

Civil society organizations in East and Southeast Asia have a new chance to get funding for digital democracy projects. The Re-D Fund 2026 offers microgrants to groups working on civic participation, human rights, and resilience. This program from the Tifa Foundation aims to help local groups fight challenges like shrinking civic space and digital barriers.

What Is the Re-D Fund?

The Re-D Fund stands for “Reimagining Futures for Digital Democracy.” It provides money and other support to civil society groups. These groups use digital tools to boost democracy and protect rights in the region.

The fund tackles problems such as digital repression, funding gaps, and limits on participation. It plans to back at least 100 local partners. A big focus goes to women, youth, grassroots groups, Indigenous Peoples, and gender minorities.

Main Goals

The program helps local groups access key resources. These include financial aid, training, networks, advocacy tools, and digital tech for democracy. The aim is to build strategies that strengthen participation and resilience in tough digital times.

Who Can Apply?

The fund supports groups like women-led organizations, youth groups, grassroots movements, Indigenous communities, gender minorities, and advocacy networks. At least half of the grantees will come from marginalized communities.

Eligible applicants must:

• Work in East or Southeast Asia.
• Operate in countries rated as closed, repressed, or obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor.
• Be in areas eligible for OECD DAC aid.
• Have run for at least three years.
• Be registered or have a fiscal sponsor.
• Handle grants directly or through a host.

Priority Countries

Projects get priority in these places:

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam

Thematic Focus Areas

All projects must link to civic space and democracy in the digital world. They can fit one or more of these tracks.

1. Advancing Reforms for Civic Freedoms

This area funds legal reforms, advocacy for freedoms, governance ideas, policy work, and rights protection. Activities include research on laws or policies, campaigns, monitoring rights, transparency efforts, forums, and innovation.

2. Enhancing Civic Participation of Marginalized Groups

Projects here boost involvement of left-out communities. They promote digital access, fair engagement, and stronger voices for those often ignored.

3. Strengthening Civic Influence

This supports public strategies, campaigns, mobilization, civic tech, and coalitions to build power.

4. Fostering Holistic Resilience

Focus on digital security, sustainability, community models, crisis prep, and group strengthening.

5. Expanding Civil Society Resources

This track aids training, resource sharing, infrastructure, digital support, and long-term plans.

Grant Details

The fund runs two cohorts with about 50 grantees each.

Cohort I: Runs March 1 to May 31, 2026. Applications are open.

Cohort II: Runs July 22 to October 23, 2026. Applications close June 5, 2026.

Funding options:

• Single applications: Up to $5,000 USD.
• Joint applications (two or more groups): Up to $10,000 USD.

Joint apps encourage teamwork and new ideas.

Why This Fund Stands Out

Groups in the region face political limits, surveillance, and funding blocks. Grassroots efforts often miss out on big grants. The Re-D Fund fixes this by backing overlooked communities hit hardest by these issues.

Benefits include cash, visibility, networks, digital project help, partnerships, and flexible aid.

Unique features: Focus on margins, informal groups, digital democracy, teams, mixed support, and rights-based methods.

About the Tifa Foundation

The Tifa Foundation, based in Indonesia, pushes openness, diversity, equality, justice, and participation. It builds partnerships, engages stakeholders, and provides resources. The group strengthens civic roles across the region.

For guidelines and applications, check the official site or download details from Tifa’s resources. Apply early for Cohort II by June 5, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions