Ecumenical Solidarity Fund (ESF)What is the Ecumenical Solidarity Fund?The Ecumenical Solidarity Fund (ESF) is an integrated funding instrument of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The ESF brings together several former WCC funding instruments, such as the strategic initiatives fund, the capacity building programme, urban rural mission and the special fund to combat racism. However, only modest funds are available for grants in 2007. What is the aim of ESF?Through the provision of grants, the ESF aims to enable churches and church-related organizations and groups to respond ecumenically and in a timely way to local, national and (sub)regional emerging priorities and solidarity needs. The ESF aims to strengthen ecumenical co-operation through grants. The ESF contributes to enhancing the visibility of global concerns in the ecumenical movement world-wide. Priority is given to those initiatives facing difficulties in accessing funding elsewhere. What kind of work does ESF support?ESF supports initiatives, activities and projects in six thematic areas:
Who can apply for ESF grants?The ESF grants financial support mainly to churches and church-related organizations. Those eligible to apply are WCC member churches, national and regional councils of churches and other ecumenical or church-related organizations working in an ecumenical context. Priority will be given to applications from the Global South and Central and Eastern Europe. Which types of activities are excluded from ESF funding?Projects that consist mainly of capital investment and construction; administration, salary and maintenance costs; projects submitted by individuals; individual welfare or medical cases; long-term development projects and responses to natural disasters are excluded. Where is ESF located in the WCC?ESF is a Council-wide initiative which is based in the Justice, Diakonia and Responsibility for Creation programme (JDRC). Who screens applications?An ESF staff group will screen projects and allocate funds three times a year. The committee consists of staff members from various WCC programmes in order to ensure both thematic expertise and regional perspectives When are applications screened?ESF applications are screened three times a year in March, June and October. What are the 2008 application deadlines?The deadlines for applications are 01 February, 01 May and 01 September. Usually, the actual screening of applications takes place six weeks after the deadline. The exact screening date is indicated on the acknowledgement of receipt of applications which is sent by the ESF Office. In which language should applications be submitted?Applications should be submitted preferably in English. If this is not feasible, the applicant should provide an executive summary in English.
Where should applications be sent?Applications should be sent to the WCC ESF Office, preferably in electronic form, by sending an e-mail to the ESF office. If you are unable to send it electronically, please post it or fax it to the following address/number: ESF Office Applications submitted in the required format and received directly by WCC staff will be forwarded to the ESF office and processed for the next screening session. |
