Photo: Ole Ramsing
Shortly before the Danish autumn break, the application deadline for the CKU pooled fund and the FoRB window passed. As with previous application rounds, there is once again high pressure on both funding pools.
The FoRB window is under particular pressure. In the autumn application round, project applications totaling nearly DKK 11 million were submitted, of which more than DKK 8 million were resubmissions of projects deemed worthy of support. The high number of resubmissions reflects a strong potential and significant interest in working with freedom of religion and belief.
The FoRB window’s grant budget for this round is expected to be approximately DKK 4 million, which unfortunately means that projects with a total value of nearly DKK 7 million will have to be rejected.
Under the FoRB window, applications have been submitted for projects focusing on training religious leaders, youth, and women in freedom of religion and belief, human rights, and conflict prevention. Other projects aim to empower marginalized groups – including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations – so that they can claim their rights and participate actively in society.
The CKU pooled fund is looking forward to an increase on the 2026 annual state budget. In addition, an extraordinary grant of DKK 5 million was provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the spring application round. This additional funding made it possible to approve more projects, thereby significantly reducing the number of resubmitted, support-worthy projects in the autumn round.
In the autumn application round, project applications totaling just over DKK 11 million were submitted to the CKU pooled fund. The grant budget is expected to be approximately DKK 5.5 million, which means that rejections are anticipated for projects with a total value of nearly DKK 5.5 million
The projects submitted under the CKU pooled fund focus, among other things, on food security and climate adaptation, strengthening women’s economic and social empowerment, promoting children’s rights and protection from violence, as well as combating harmful norms through parenting courses and advocacy. Common to all projects is a rights-based approach, local ownership, and a focus on the most vulnerable.
Applicants can expect to receive a decision at the beginning of December.
