Background

The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Vanuatu Electoral Environment Project (VEEP), funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), are partnering with the Vanuatu Electoral Office (VEO) and Electoral Commission (EC) to support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) in working to ensure every person around Vanuatu are informed voters through the "Expansion of VEO's Civic Education" Low Value Grant Programme (LVGP). 

UNDP's Vanuatu Electoral Environment Project (VEEP) III

VEEP III builds on previous electoral assistance to Vanuatu and its main objective is to further the democratic development of Vanuatu. The project is working to do this by further strengthening the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Vanuatu Electoral Office (VEO) to more effectively implement their mandate and ensure inclusive, transparent, and credible electoral processes and by improving the institutional environment and practice of democracy. 

The project seeks to do this through four outputs: 

(i) All citizens, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups are increasingly aware of elections and importance of democratic practices and processes;

(ii) Voter register kept accurate and updated with every eligible voter registered;

(iii) Political parties operate within the legislated regulatory environment; and 

(iv) Effective, and efficient electoral governance, with less reliance on external support. 

Vanuatu Electoral Commission (EC) and Vanuatu Electoral Office (VEO)

Whilst the Electoral Commission (EC) is the sole authority in charge of electoral matters, the Vanuatu Electoral Office (VEO) as the implementing agency supervising the registration of electors, and preparing and conducting of elections to Parliament and provincial and municipal councils. The VEO, as the executive secretariat of the Commission, is in charge of the electoral administration and as such is responsible for implementing all activities required for the preparation and conduct of direct elections in the country, including the establishment and maintenance of the Voter Register. 

The Vanuatu Electoral Office (VEO) has the following objectives to meet its Mandate:

1. To conduct efficient elections with validated Voter Register and improved election procedures;
2. To establish efficient, and improved voter registration by utilising a Biometric Voter Registration - the National ID Card in close collaboration with CRIM;
3. To liaise with the Parliament and OAG for advancing legislative reform of the Electoral System;
4. To increase Civil Engagement through public voter information and awareness.
5. To improve service delivery and organisational compliance through an inclusive policy, legislative, planning, budget, Procedures Manuals, restructure implementation, decentralisation, ICT, revenue generation & reporting framework

Grant Information: 

Grant Objective: This call for applications seeks applications from CSOs, NGOs, and FBOs around Vanuatu that will:

1. Educate citizens around the country using VEO's Civic Education Curriculum
2. In communities outside of Port Vila, Efate using decentralised networks across Vanuatu to expand understanding of democratic processes, how the Government of Vanuatu works, civic education and voter education. 

Areas of intervention: Civic education, voter education, strengthening of governance, improving democratic representation, increasing voter awareness about democratic participation.

Applicants may request up to $40,000 per project. A selection committee comprised of relevant stakeholders will make the decisions for the grant of projects in line with UNDP’s policies and framework. 

Dateline of Submission: 8 June 2025 11:59:59 pm Vanuatu time

Maximum Grant Amount: 40,000 USD (approximately 4.6 million vatu)

Implementation Period: 1 July 2025 - 1 October 2025

Eligibility and Participation Criteria

Applicant organisations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the grant:

1. Have demonstrable experience with at least 1 previous activity in civic education, voter education, or voter awareness in previous programming.

2. Have an organisational structure demonstrating decentralised presence in Vanuatu (presence or programming outside of Port Vila).

3. Have been registered with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) Certification for at least 3 consecutive years, inclusive of 2025.

4. Operational Capacity - must provide evidence that the organisation has required technical, human resources (CV of the key personnel related to the project) of the project.

We encourage organisations with demonstrated experience working with youth, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

Selection Criteria: 

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1. Relevance and Clarity (25%): Alignment with project objectives and clear work plan

2. CSO Experience (15%): Proven experience in civic education, voter education and voter awareness and community engagement.

3. Budget Feasibility (15%): Realistic and well justified costs.

4. Inclusive Focus (20%): Commitment to social inclusion.

5. Quality and Quantity (25%): Projected number of beneficiaries is high with evidence of good quality programming. 

Submission Requirements: 

1. Proposal template (to be provided upon request) including:

• A clear plan for delivering the objectives mentioned above.

• Proposal budget (in vatu)

2. Additional Attachments:

• CV of the relevant staff of the CSO.

• Vanuatu Financial Services Certificate for 2024 and 2025

• Bank account details in the name of the CSO.

Please note that printing of the Civic Education materials must be done by the recipient organisation and should be included in the Proposal Budget.

For more information and the Proposal Template, please follow the below links: 

VEO’s civic education material: Voter Awareness - Vanuatu Electoral Office

Proposal template: Template - Value Grant Proposal.docx - Google Docs

For other inquiries and application submission, please contact and/or send your materials to both of the following officers: 

Bui Phuong Tra at bui.phuong.tra@undp.org and Oliver Kasso at oliver.kasso@undp.org