Small Grant Program “Staying Resilient Amid the Pandemic in Southeast Asia”
The pandemic situation in Southeast Asia has been difficult, with increases in infection cases and deaths from time to time. Untimely decisions and vaccination delays have compounded the spread of the Delta variant, with the pandemic and related containment measures resulting in disproportionate impacts on people, particularly on marginalized groups. The new highly transmissible Omicron variant and the re-introduction of just relented measures has exacerbated the situation, deepening inequalities and posing multifaceted challenges.
Social protection efforts have been insufficient to meet rising needs, assisting rather than protecting the most vulnerable, with civil society and community groups scrambling with limited resources to fill the void. Irrespective of the capacity of governments to tackle the pandemics, all over the region civil society groups, communities and committed individuals have shown great resilience and solidarity. All kind of small-scale initiatives have been started to battle the pandemic and cope with its local impacts from providing relief goods and personal protective equipment (PPE) to launching education campaigns and financial schemes.
Recognizing the importance of these diverse initiatives and the fact that they are often undertaken with minimal resources, SEA Junction has launched the “Staying Resilient Amid the Pandemic in Southeast Asia small-grant program since 2020. The 3-year program, with support of the China Medical Board Foundation, provides funds to efforts working to build social capital, strengthen community resilience, improve the living and health conditions of local communities (geographical as well as functional) and enhance their capacity to cope with the current situation of COVID-19 and its longer-term socio-economic and health impacts.
Small grants for an average of USD 2,500 were awarded to selected groups and individuals. Funds could be used to complement existing resources as well as seeds or matching funds. Besides providing financing, the program also shares relevant COVID-19 and health equity relevant information and knowledge, fosters cross-fertilization of ideas and interventions, helps build networks and conducts joint advocacy activities.
The last call has ended and we are no longer accepting proposals for the time being.
Eligibility and Priority
- This call was open to individuals and groups (both formal and informal)
- Focus was on socio-economic and health dimensions of COVID-19
- Activities were located in Southeast Asia
- Priority was given to community-led and inclusive initiatives
- Emphasis on equity and resilience
How to Apply:
- Download and fill the proposal form provided here: Proposal Template
- Use English or any Southeast Asian languages
- Submit your brief proposal by email to southeastasiajunction@gmail.com
The first batch of application was closed on September 2020. We have selected and provided funds to 13 initiatives in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and The Philippines on different issues including arts and culture, migration, gender, rural development, waste management, education and etc. The full list of first batch grantees is available here.
The second call was closed on 15 March 2021. Amid the new wave of outbreak in many countries, the community demand for support is great with almost 140 relevant proposals received. Thanks to individual and non-profit donations as per our fundraising campaign at the end of 2020, we were able to increase our initial funds and grant 23 local initiatives from different locations in 8 countries. The full list of second batch grantees is available here.
In March 2022, we received almost 70 proposals in the last call and provide strategic support to 11 activities across 7 countries. The list of grantees is available here.
Organizers
SEA Junction
SEA Junction, established under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEAs), aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions- from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 408 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information see www.seajunction.org, join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1693058870976440/ and follow us on twitter and Instagram @seajunction
With support of:
China Medical Board Foundation
The Rockefeller-endowed China Medical Board (CMB), an independent American foundation started in 1914, aims to advance health in China and neighbouring Asian countries through strengthening medical, nursing and public health research and education. See further chinamedicalboard.org.