LocationsBHR Grant Programme
New grant programme launched to support civil society organizations in advancing Business and Human Rights ecosystem in Türkiye
Funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the grant programme under the “Responsible Businesses, Resilient Civil Society Project” has been launched to strengthen the role and capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in advancing Business and Human Rights (BHR) standards in Türkiye.
Civil society organizations are invited to apply for grants which aims to serve the general objective of the Guidelines: “to strengthen the ability of CSOs to effectively apply international and EU BHR standards and approach in their programming, advocacy, monitoring and multi-stakeholder engagement, thereby contributing to stronger policies, improved corporate practices, enhanced access to remedy, while advancing women’s rights and addressing differentiated impacts of business operations on women and human rights in Türkiye”.
The applications must be submitted in English through UNDP’s online application system. Hard-copy submissions and applications submitted in Turkish will be considered invalid.
The deadline for applications is Friday, 14 August 2026, at 17:00 (local time).
Detailed information about the application rules and process is available in the Responsible Business, Resilient Civil Society Application Guideline to support applicants in designing result-oriented proposals.
Eligibility of Applicants and Partners
Turkish Civil Society Organizations (established under Turkish laws numbered 4721 and 5253) whose legal entity was established before 31.12.2024 are accepted as eligible applicant and partners.
To reach a wider audience, institutions who aim to support SMEs/enterprises and that could facilitate BHR approaches, business environment might be considered exceptionally eligible as partners, as long as they are non-profit legal entities established in Türkiye.
For full eligibility requirements and details, please see Application Guideline.
Three strategic priority areas
The grant programme is structured around three specific objectives:
- Foster structured dialogue and cooperation: Supporting structured engagement among businesses, employer and employee representatives, and civil society actors to strengthen shared understanding, uptake and implementation of international and EU BHR standards and approach.
- Improve CSO capacities: Improving the ability of CSOs to develop and implement programs and activities aligned with international and EU BHR standards and approach through peer learning, advocacy, monitoring, reporting and accountability actions that influence business conduct and public policy,
- Advance women’s rights and women empowerment: Promoting women’s rights and women empowerment across workplaces, markets and business value chains, in line with evolving international and EU BHR standards and corporate practices.
The specific objectives serve as principal pivot point of applications and are not mutually exclusive. Applicants may address one or more of these objectives in their proposals as long as pivot point characteristic is kept.
Grant Amounts Across Three Lots
The grant programme is structured around three specific objectives and is divided into three lots aligned with these objectives.
LOTs | Min Amount* (USD) | Max Amount* (USD) | Indicative total allocation (USD) |
| Lot 1: Projects which select Specific Objective 1 as the strategic focus (A specific partnership encouraging dialogue between business community and rights-holders to foster BHR is mandatory for this lot) | 80,001 | 140,000 | 590,000 |
| Lot 2: Projects which select Specific Objective 2 as the strategic focus (focusing on enhancing CSO capacities in BHR-related programming and advocacy) | 60,000 | 80,000 | 340,000 |
| Lot 3: Projects which select Specific Objective 3 as the strategic focus (focusing on advancing women’s rights and empowerment in business contexts) | 60,000 | 80,000 | 200,000 |
Duration & Location
Proposed actions must be implemented in Türkiye (with limited exceptions such as study visits) and should have a duration of 6 to 12 months.
Indicator Design
To guide the applicants in project design, detailed guidance, including a non-exclusive comprehensive list activities and indicators at output, outcome, and impact level is also available in the Application Guidelines to support applicants in designing result-oriented proposals.
Application Process
The applications must be submitted in English through UNDP’s online application system only. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.
Applicants are requested to submit:
- Application Form (To be filled in, Annex-1)
- Logical Framework (To be filled in, Annex-2)
- Budget for the Action (To be filled in, items and justifications) (Filled in Annex-3)
- Activity Plan (To be filled in, Annex-4)
- Applicant’s Statement (To be filled in, Annex-5)
- Mandate for Partner(s) and Partnership Agreement (To be filled in, Annex-6)
- Additional Documents (Please see sections "3.3 Content of Applications" and "Annexes to the Guidelines" of the Application Guidelines)
Responsible Business, Resilient Civil Society Grant Programme Application Guideline
Further details, updates, revision, and answers to frequently asked questions can also be accessed on this page of UNDP website.