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

Civil society organizations in East and Southeast Asia face tough challenges like shrinking civic space and digital repression. The Re-D Fund 2026 offers a way forward with microgrants to support digital democracy efforts. This funding from the Tifa Foundation helps groups use digital tools to boost participation, protect rights, and build resilience.

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 tackling barriers to democracy in the digital age. The program aims to back at least 100 local partners, with a focus on women, youth, grassroots groups, Indigenous Peoples, and gender minorities.

This fund addresses key issues such as funding gaps for small organizations, exclusion from big grant systems, and limits on free speech online. It mixes cash grants with training and networking to help groups grow stronger.

Main Goals

The Re-D Fund helps local groups in East and Southeast Asia get fair access to resources. These include money, skill-building sessions, support networks, advocacy tools, and digital tech for democracy. The big aim is to let organizations create plans that increase public input and withstand digital threats.

Who Does It Support?

Support goes first to groups often left out, like women-led teams, youth networks, grassroots movements, Indigenous communities, gender minorities, and local advocacy groups. At least half of the funded projects will come from these communities. This setup makes sure voices from the edges get heard.

Eligibility Rules

Groups can apply if they meet these points:

• Work in East or Southeast Asia.
• Operate in countries rated as closed, repressed, or obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor.
• Qualify under OECD DAC aid rules.
• Have run for at least three years.
• Are registered or work with a fiscal sponsor.
• Can handle grant money on their own or through a host.

Eligible types include civil society groups, community outfits, informal networks, and rights coalitions.

Priority Countries

The fund targets projects in these places:

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

Thematic Focus Areas

Projects must fit one or more of these tracks to advance civic space and digital democracy.

1. Advancing Reforms for Civic Freedoms

This area funds work on legal changes, advocacy for free speech, new governance ideas, policy work, and rights protection. Activities can include research on laws, campaigns, monitoring abuses, transparency pushes, forums, and fresh democracy tools.

2. Enhancing Civic Participation of Marginalized Groups

Efforts here boost involvement from left-out communities through digital access, fair engagement, and louder voices for the excluded.

3. Strengthening Civic Influence

This covers strategies to engage the public, run campaigns, rally communities, build tech for citizens, and form alliances.

4. Fostering Holistic Resilience

Support builds skills in digital safety, steady operations, community strength, crisis plans, and group improvements.

5. Expanding Civil Society Resources

Focus is on training, sharing tools, building setups, digital networks, and plans for the long run.

Grant Details

The Re-D Fund runs two groups of grantees, about 50 each.

Cohort I

• Time frame: March 1 to May 31, 2026
• Status: Open

Cohort II

• Time frame: July 22 to October 23, 2026
• Status: Open

Grant sizes split into single or joint apps:

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

Joint apps push teamwork and shared innovation.

Application Timeline

For Cohort II, submit by June 5, 2026. Apply soon and check all rules on eligibility and themes. Download guidelines and apply through the Tifa Foundation site.

Key Benefits

Winning groups get cash, more notice, connections, help for digital projects, regional ties, and room for creative fixes. The fund stands out by favoring grassroots teams, informal setups, digital focus, team apps, mixed support types, and rights-centered methods.

About the Tifa Foundation

Based in Indonesia, the Tifa Foundation pushes openness, diversity, equality, justice, and public input. It builds ties across stakeholders, partners locally and globally, engages positively, and gives resources or runs programs. This group leads in strengthening democracy in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions