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Oilwatch International Small Grants Programme 2026 — Earth, Energy, Equity

Oilwatch International, in partnership with the Global Greengrants Fund (GGF)

Oilwatch International, in partnership with the Global Greengrants Fund, is inviting eligible grassroots organisations, Indigenous Peoples' groups, community-based organisations, women-led and youth-led groups, environmental justice movements and local advocacy networks to apply for grants of up to US$5,000. The programme supports community-driven initiatives addressing fossil fuel expansion, environmental degradation, climate justice, energy democracy, ecosystem restoration and community resilience. Projects should run for 6–9 months and must align with Oilwatch's principles. Applicants must be active members or partners of the Oilwatch network.

Who can apply

  • Grassroots organisations that are active Oilwatch members or partners
  • Indigenous Peoples' organisations and community groups affiliated with Oilwatch
  • Community-based organisations active within the Oilwatch network
  • Women-led organisations that meet Oilwatch's membership or partnership conditions
  • Youth-led organisations affiliated with Oilwatch
  • Environmental justice groups
  • Small civil society organisations
  • Community and social movements
  • Local environmental advocacy networks
  • Groups working with communities affected by oil, gas, coal, mining and other extractive industries
  • Organisations and movements that fully support Oilwatch's objectives and guiding principles

Focus areas

  • Environmental and climate justice
  • Community resistance to fossil fuel expansion
  • Protection of Indigenous Peoples' territories
  • Environmental rights and community self-determination
  • Energy justice and energy democracy
  • Community-owned renewable energy
  • Just energy transitions
  • Youth-led climate action
  • Women's leadership in environmental governance
  • Protection of environmental defenders
  • Community mobilisation and advocacy
  • Environmental pollution monitoring
  • Forest and biodiversity protection
  • Mangrove and wetland conservation
  • Community-led ecosystem restoration
  • Restoration of degraded land
  • Sustainable livelihoods
  • Agroecology
  • Traditional ecological knowledge
  • Climate resilience and community adaptation
  • Environmental policy and legal advocacy
  • Documentation of fossil fuel extraction impacts
  • Campaigns against destructive extractive projects

Requirements

  • Applicants must be active members or partners of the Oilwatch network.
  • Applicants must fully support Oilwatch's objectives and guiding principles.
  • The proposed project must address at least one of the five thematic areas identified in the official call.
  • Projects must align with environmental justice, community rights, ecological integrity and the principle of keeping fossil fuels in the ground.
  • The proposed project must have a duration of 6–9 months.
  • The grant request must not exceed US$5,000.
  • Applicants must demonstrate clearly identified community needs and an appropriate response.
  • Proposals should include practical, cost-efficient activities with measurable outcomes.
  • Applicants should demonstrate credible implementation capacity and readiness.
  • Proposals should be evidence-based and draw on relevant experience or lessons learned.
  • Priority is given to initiatives supporting frontline communities affected by extractive industries.
  • Projects should strengthen environmental justice, community resilience, renewable energy alternatives or campaigns against fossil fuel expansion.
  • Proposals promoting fossil gas, carbon offsets, carbon trading, large-scale geoengineering, industrial biofuels or other approaches rejected by Oilwatch as false climate solutions are ineligible.
  • Applications must follow the official four-section proposal structure.
  • Completed applications must be submitted to the appropriate regional Oilwatch contact by the stated deadline.

Application steps

  • Read the official Oilwatch International Small Grants Programme 2026 announcement.
  • Confirm that the applicant is an active Oilwatch member or partner.
  • Review the five thematic areas and Oilwatch's guiding principles.
  • Identify a community-driven project aligned with the call's priorities.
  • Prepare the proposal using the four sections identified in the official call.
  • Section 1: Basic Data — provide the requested applicant and project information.
  • Section 2: Project Description — explain the problem, objectives, proposed activities and expected results.
  • Section 3: Context and Policy Environment — describe the relevant community, environmental and policy context.
  • Section 4: Project Implementation, Sustainability and Budget — provide the implementation approach, sustainability considerations and proposed budget.
  • Ensure the proposed project lasts 6–9 months and requests no more than US$5,000.
  • Review the proposal for alignment, feasibility, cost efficiency and measurable community benefits.
  • Submit the completed application by email to the relevant Oilwatch regional hub.
  • For Africa, send applications to grants@oilwatch.africa.
  • For Southeast Asia, send applications to clengjulve@agham.org.
  • For Latin America, send applications to owla.ggf@gmail.com.
  • Use the email subject line: GGF Application.
  • Ensure the application is received by 13 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Global Grants Hub strategic note

This is a useful small-grant opportunity for grassroots environmental justice organisations and movements with established connections to the Oilwatch network. It is particularly relevant to groups supporting communities affected by fossil fuel extraction, environmental degradation and unequal energy systems. Applicants should note that active Oilwatch membership or partnership is an important eligibility requirement, and the programme is not intended for general conservation activities unrelated to Oilwatch's mission. Strong proposals should demonstrate a clearly defined community need, practical and measurable activities, meaningful local participation, credible implementation capacity and alignment with the principles of climate justice, community self-determination and keeping fossil fuels in the ground.

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