On this page you can find all relevant materials related to the Civil Society Fund, incl. programs, CCAM and the Neighbourhood Fund, and the CISU Information Fund. Some formats are only available in Danish. If you have any questions, please forward them to puljer@cisu.dk
All relevant formats and guidelines for:
DERF - the Danish Emergency Relief Fund can be located here
OpEn - The Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs' Information and Engagement Fund can be located here
When you apply for a Grant
Before applying for a grant from one of CISU's pools of funds, you should always familiarise yourself with the guidelines for the specific fund:
Civil Socity Fund, incl. CCAM and the Neighbourhood Fund:
Programs:
NB: The Civil Society Guidelines ection 1-3 also forms as a basis for CISU program grants.
CISU's Engagement Fund (no longer open for applications):
CISU's civic engagement fund Guidelines
CISU's Information Fund:
(DK only)
Application formats for the Civil Society Fund (excl. CCAM and the Neighbourhood Fund:
Please note: It's possible to apply for Small-scale Interventions by submitting a video. A video application can be up to 10 minutes long and must address the questions posed in the application format. Watch an example of a video application here.
Applicants must upload the video application here: https://upload.cisu.dk
Username: upload. Password: Suwiju94.
Citizen Participation Interventions
Support for the Application Process
Application format for Climate Change Adaptation Modality:
Climate Change Adaptation Modality (CCAM)
Application formats for the Neighbourhood Fund:
Citizen Participation Interventions
Programs:
Part One: Preparation Formats
- Track Record Document (TRD)
- ToR Review
- ToR CapPro
- Concept Note and Programme Document (Draft Concept Note)*
Part Two: Formats for Assessment of Suitability
- Front Page Concept Note
- Management Response (CapPro/Review)
- Management Response (Finansielt tilsyn)
- Concept Note and Program Document (Final Concept Note)*
- Concept Note budget
Part Three: Formats for Assessment of Applications
Documents and Formats related to all Parts of the Program Process
- Assessment Criteria
- Timeline 2023 programme process
- Guidance Note local leadership
- Guidance Note ToC and Results Framework
- Guide Program Budget
- Mid-term review format (to be used as inspiration)
- Concept Note and Program Document - a generic document used throughout the three parts of the program process
CISU's Information Fund:
The cover page of the application must be filled in and signed by the Danish applicant organisation and the leading partner. It's acceptable to have separate cover pages for each partner but they should be uploaded as one document.
The signed cover page is uploaded via Vores CISU
Civil Society Fund
Cover page - Civil Socity Fund (incl. CCAM and Neighbourhood Fund)
CISUs Information Fund
The budget template must be created and submitted as an Excel-document via the system Vores CISU.
Civil Society Fund (incl. CCAM and Neighbourhood Fund)
Budget Guide
Budget Guide English - updated 03.2024
Latest changes in the Budget Template and Guide
Budget Template
Budget template for Small-scale Intervention, Citizen Participation Intervention, Development Intervention, Support for Co-funding, Climate Change Adaptation Modality (CCAM), Neighbourhood Fund
Budget Template for support for Application Process
Guide to convert from old to new budget formats
Programs
See link under 'Application Formats and Appendices'
CISU's Information Fund
In order to be able to apply for funding from CISU's pools of funds, the organisation must have audited Annual Accounts. The Annual Accounts must be uploaded via the system Vores CISU.
Requirements for the Annual Accounts at the time of application:
The Annual Accounts must be audited by either an approved registered auditor or a non-professional auditor elected by the organisation. If the latter is the case, the auditor must meet general impartiality requirements, meaning there must be no circumstances that could raise doubts about their independence. The auditor can be a member of the organisation but must not be part of the board.
The Annual Accounts must be signed by the auditor and the authorised signatory of the organisation, either in the document or through electronic signature.
The Annual Accounts must include, at a minimum, a) an income statement showing revenues and expenses and b) a balance sheet indicating equity.
CISU must be able to see from the Annual Accounts that the organisation has a minimum of 25/50 paying members or financial contributors (see the guidelines for each fund for specific requirements). If this is not evident from the Annual Accounts, CISU may request other documentation, such as a membership list and a bank statement showing payment of membership fees.
There is no requirement for management review or legal critical review.
Template for Annual Accounts
After Funding has been Granted
Grant holders must comply with various management requirements outlined in the Administration Guide for CISU's pools of funds.
The Civil Society Fund Grant Administration Guide (incl. CCAM and the Neighbourhood Fund):
grant Administration Guide (updated 01.2023)
See also the check list of requirements for managing a grant and when?
Programs:
Administration Guide for programs
CISU's Information Fund:
Please refer to the overall Guidelines for the fund.
When you receive an e-mail from CISU with a grant contract, follow these steps:
- Sign the contract and save it in your own system.
- Now, locate the corresponding grant in Vores CISU and click on it.
- Click on the 'Milestones' tab at the top of the screen.
- Find 'Contract' on the list and click on it.
- Upload the contract.
- Click 'Send'.
It is a requirement for all grants, regardless of size, that a partnership agreement is established between the Danish organisation and the main partner in the intervention. However, CISU also recommends that partnership agreements are made with any other partners involved in the intervention.
Read more about requirements for cooperation agreements in the Administration Guide for the respective fund.
Download a proposed layout for a cooperation agreement, including suggestions for the content and structure of the partnership agreement in Danish, English, Spanish, and French.
Key points about partnership coorperation agreements
The partnership agreement should reflect the mutual nature of the partnership. Therefore, it's important that partnership agreements describe responsibilities and obligations as well as rights for all parties, for example:
- The Danish organisation has the right to supervise the project, and the local partner organisation is obligated to receive the Danish supervisors. However, it could equally include that the Danish organisation is obligated to provide advance notice of the visit to allow for the partner to plan adequately, or that the dates for the visit are planned jointly.
- All parties can terminate the collaboration with, for example, 3 months' notice. The Danish organisation has the right to terminate the collaboration immediately if it involves a breach of the agreement. However, situations may arise, such as cooperation problems between the local partner and a Danish delegate or project coordinator. It is therefore appropriate to introduce mechanisms for complaints, conflict resolution, and mediation, ensuring the rigths of the local partner to address unpleasant topics within predefined frameworks.
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires that all partnership coorperation agreements include the following clauses:
Anti-corruption clause:
”No offer, payment, consideration or benefit of any kind, which could be regarded as an illegal or corrupt practice, shall be made - neither directly nor indirectly - as an inducement or reward in relation to tendering, award of the contract, or execution of the contract. Any such practice will be grounds for the immediate cancellation of this contract and for such additional action, civil and/or criminal, as may be appropriate. At the discretion of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a further consequence of any such practice can be the definite exclusion from any tendering for projects, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
PSHEA clause:
“The Danish MoFA has a zero tolerance for inaction approach to tackling sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH2) as defined in UNSG Bulletin ST/SGB/2003/13 and the definition of sexual harassment in UNGA Resolution A/RES/73/148. The Implementing Partner, and its sub-grantees, will take appropriate measures to protect people, including beneficiaries and staff, from SEAH conducted by its employees and associated personnel including any sub-grantee staff and take timely and appropriate action when reports of SEAH arise. In the event that the Implementing Partner receives reports of allegations of SEAH, the Implementing Partner will take timely and appropriate action to investigate the allegation and, where warranted, take disciplinary measures or civil and/or criminal action. Any violation of this clause will be ground for the immediate termination of this Agreement.”
Anti-Terror clause:
“If, during the course of implementation of this Project/Programme, the Implementing Partner discovers any link whatsoever with any organisation or individual associated with terrorism, it must inform the Danish MoFA immediately and explain the reasons for such transfer, including whether it was made or provided knowingly, voluntarily, accidentally, unintentionally, incidentally or by force. The Implementing Partner agrees that it and/or its implementing partners (including contractors, sub-contractors and sub-grantees) will take all reasonable steps to secure that no transaction made in relation to the Project/Programme will – directly or indirectly – benefit a person, group or entity subject to restrictive measures (sanctions) by the UN or the EU. Any violation of this clause is ground for immediate termination of the Agreement returning to the Danish MoFA of all funds advanced to the Implementing Partner under it.”
Anti-Child Labor clause:
“The Implementing Partner shall abide by applicable national laws as well as applicable international instruments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and International Labour Organisation conventions. Any violation will be ground for immediate termination of the Agreement.”
Here is how to upload the partnership agreement via Vores CISU:
- Locate the relevant grant in Vores CISU and click on it.
- Click on the 'Milestones' tab at the top of the screen.
- Find 'Partnership Agreement' on the list and click on it.
- Upload the partnership agreement.
- Click 'Send'.
All requests must be submitted via Vores CISU.
Civil Society Fund (Styrkelse af Civilsamfundets Råderum)
- Grants approved before 1. sept 2021: English Template (Guidance Note for budgets: Excel-hjælpeark)
- Grants approved after 1. sept 2021: English Template (Guidance Note for budgets: Excel-hjælpeark)
Programs
CISU's Information Fund
Not applicable
CISU's Engagement Fund (Danish only)
- Grants approved before 1. sept 2021: dansk (Hjælpeark til budget: Excel-hjælpeark)
- Grants approved after 1. sept 2021: dansk (Hjælpeark til budget: Excel-hjælpeark)
Here's how to upload the request:
- Locate the relevant grant in Vores CISU and click on it.
- Click on 'Create Change Request' at the bottom of the page.
- Select the type of request (period change, budget change, and/or other).
- Upload the change request (remember to use the correct format for the respective fund).
- Click 'Send'.
All disbursement requests must be submitted via Vores CISU:
Civil Society Fund (Engagementspuljen og Styrkelse af Civilsamfundets Råderum)
Request for disbursement of the Grant
Programs
Request for disbursement of the Grant
CISU's Information Fund
Request for disbursement of the Grant
Here is how to upload the request:
- Locate the relevant grant in Vores CISU and click on it.
- Click on 'In- and Outpayments' at the top of the screen.
- Click on 'Send payment request' at the bottom of the page.
- Enter the amount and bank details, and upload the payment request (remember to use the correct format for the respective fund).
- Click 'Send request'.
When you have received a grant from one of CISU's pools of funds that exceeds 500,000 DKK, you must share your organisation's Annual Financial Accounts, a Note on the grant, and the organisation's Annual Report with CISU. These documents are uploaded in Vores CISU.
Read more about the requirements for Annual Financial Accounts in the Administration Guide for the respective fund.
Project grants: Format for note to be included in the Annual Accounts
Program grants: Format for note to be inlcuded in the Annual Accounts.
Here is how to upload the Annual Financial Accounts:
- Go to your "Grants" section in Vores CISU.
- Navigate to the grant where there is a requirement for organisational annual accounts (Note: There may be more than one grant, but it is sufficient to locate one of them).
- Click on the "Milestones" tab at the top of the screen.
- Find "Organisation Annual Accounts" on the list and click on it. Make sure to select the one with the correct deadline. For some grants, annual accounts for multiple years may need to be uploaded (e.g., one in 2020 and one in 2021).
- Under "Last Statement," you can see the most recently uploaded organisation Annual Accounts.
- Check if it's the correct Annual Accounts and if everything has been uploaded. It's always the latest approved accounts that needs to be uploaded. For example, Annual Accounts and Reports for 2022 should be uploaded for deadlines in 2023.
Now, there are two options:
Option 1: The correct Annual Accounts have been uploaded:
- Click "Send" at the bottom of the page.
- CISU's grant managers will now know that the statement is ready for review.
Option 2: The incorrect Annual Accounts have been uploaded:
- Click on "Upload/Edit Annual Accouts" at the bottom under "Upload the most recently approved organisation Annual Accounts."
- You will now be directed to the organisation's basic data page.
- Find the box "Financial Figures and Organisation Annual Accounts."
- Click "Add" at the bottom of the box.
- Enter the period for the most recently approved accounting period and the reporting date (current date).
- Upload the Annual Financial Accounts.
- Upload the Annual Report/narrative report (not just the financial report) and protocol (if required, as per the Administration Guide).
- If the Annual Accounts, interim statement, and audit endorsement are in three separate documents, merge them into one PDF document. You can do this using a program like https://smallpdf.com/da/merge-pdf.
- Enter figures for "Own financing," "Public financing," and "Total turnover."
- Click "Save changes" at the bottom of the page.
- Now go back to the grant, milestone, Organisation Annual Accounts, and complete the two steps described under "Option 1.
Grant holders are obligated to immediately (i.e., within 14 days of the incident) report to CISU, if:
- Significant difficulties arise in implementing the project, including adhering to the approved budget.
- Significant issues arise concerning the authorities of the recipient country, the partner organisation, or deployed personnel.
- Well-founded suspicion of theft, fraud, corruption, or other misuse of funds is detected.
For further details, please refer to the page reporting irregularities and complaints.
If the Danish organisation prepares press materials or any other public material regarding the grant, it must be made clear that the project is supported by CISU. However, this requirement for visibility does not apply to the local partners.
Download the CISU logo:
If you're unsure how to use the logo, feel free to reach out to CISU's Communication Manager Kim Jensen at kj@cisu.dk.
CISU's Financial Checklist is used by CISU when staff carry out monitoring visits to Danish organisations and their partners.
Humentum is a global non-profit organisation established in 2017 by InsideNGO, LINGOs, and Mango, where the three organisations merged. They work with humanitarian and development organisations worldwide to enhance their systems and operations, as well as to help CSOs/NGOs become more accountable, resilient, and promote justice.
Humentum offers a wide range of tools, training, blogs, etc. One of their most utilized tools is their "financial health check," which is a tool for organisations to assess financial management, internal controls, etc., within the organisation.
CISUs Accountability Dialogue Tool is a tool that organisations can use for assessing and discussing the organisation's structures, internal relationships, and levels of control.
Final Reporting and Accounts
For several interventions funded by a CISU grant, reporting is required during the grant period. You can learn more about the requirements for status reporting in the Administration Guide specific to each grant.
Below are the relevant documents for status reporting
Status reports are uploaded via Vores CISU.
Civil Society Fund
For interventions lasting for 24 months or more, a mid-term status dialogue with one of CISU's advisors is a requirement. The preparation document is uploaded via Vores CISU, and the grantee will subsequently be invited to a conversation.
- Citizen Participation Interventions: Preparation for Status Dialogue
- Development Interventions - Preparation for Status Dialogue
- Climate Change Adaptation Modality (CCAM) - being drafted
Support for Co-Financing follows the reporting format prescribed by the main donor for the intervention.
Programs
An annual Status Report is required. While there is no specific CISU format, there are content requirements outlined in the Administration Guide.
CISU's Engagement Fund (Danish only)
Forberedelse til statussamtale - dansk
Here is how to upload your status reporting:
- Find the relevant grant in Vores CISU and click on it.
- Click on the 'Milestones' tab at the top of the screen.
- Find 'Status Dialogue' on the list and click on it.
- Upload the status report/preparation document.
- Click "Send".
When the intervention is concluded, you must prepare a Final Report for the grant. Read more about the requirements for the Final Report in the Administration Guide for the respective fund.
The final report is uploaded via Vores CISU.
Civil Society Fund
- Small-Scale Interventions Final Report
- Citizen Participation Interventions Final Report
- Development Interventions Final Report
- Climate Change Adaptation Modality (CCAM) Final Report
- Rebuilding Civic Society Final Report
- CISU's Engagement Fund Final Report
- Support for Co-Funding: the final report sent to the main donor is sent to CISU
- Programs: Programme Completion Report
CISUs Information Fund (Danish Only)
Afsluttende rapport dansk
Here is how to upload the Final Report in Vores CISU:
- Find the relevant grant in Vores CISU and click on it.
- Click on the 'Milestones' tab at the top of the screen.
- Find 'Final Report' on the list and click on it.
- Upload the Final Report.
- Click "Send".
When the intervention is completed, you must submit final accounts for the grant.
Read about the requirements for final accounts in the Administration Guide for the relevant fund
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Audit Instructions for Grants of DKK 500,000 and Below
The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Audit Instructions for Grants Above DKK 500,000
Check list for use when auditing grants (for grants under DKK 200,000 but relevant tool for all grants regardless of size)
The audit of grants of DKK 200,000 or less is carried out by an auditor appointed by CISU to handle the task. Learn more about the process in the Administration Guide for the respective fund.
Contact information for the CISU-appointed auditor:
Elley Revison ApS
T: +45 7578 1888
If equipment, inventory, etc., is transferred to local partners at the end of the intervention, a transfer document must be prepared.
If the price for this equipment, inventory, etc., exceeds the so-called tax rate for immediate write-off of small acquisitions (in 2023, 32,000 DKK, changes annually), it is a requirement that the Final Accounts be supplemented with a signed transfer document between the Danish grantee and the local partner.
