Theirworld Small Grants Programme 2026 (Up to £10,000 Funding) - NAIJA STICK

Theirworld Small Grants Programme 2026 (Up to £10,000 Funding)

The Theirworld Small Grants Programme 2026 is now open, offering £1,000 to £10,000 in grant funding to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations working to improve education, health, and life opportunities for children and young people.

• This programme supports community-led, grassroots initiatives where targeted funding can unlock significant and lasting impact. 
• Theirworld focuses on practical solutions that help children get the best start in life, learn in safe and inclusive environments, and gain the skills they need for the future.

Grant Focus Areas

• Projects must align with at least one of Theirworld’s core thematic areas:

Best Start in Life

Supporting early childhood development, learning readiness, caregiver engagement, and access to early education.

Safe Place to Learn

• Improving school safety, inclusion, learning environments, and access to quality education.

Skills for the Future

Providing digital, vocational, leadership, and life skills for young people.

• Priority is given to projects that also address cross-cutting issues such as climate action, gender equality, inclusion, peace and security, health, and nutrition.

Grant Value and Structure

Funding ranges from £1,000 to £10,000 per project. Grants are typically disbursed as a single instalment, though multi-year funding may be considered in specific cases.

• All funded organisations are required to submit mid-term and final reports.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
• Work directly with children, young people, or caregivers
• Serve marginalised or disadvantaged communities
• Have a clear project plan with defined outcomes
• Possess an organisational safeguarding policy
• Provide recent annual accounts as part of the application

Who Should Apply

This programme is ideal for community-based organisations that:

Are delivering education, health, or skills-focused projects

Need small but catalytic funding to expand or strengthen impact

• Are testing innovative approaches or scaling proven interventions
• Work closely with underserved children and youth populations

How to Apply

• Applicants should first confirm eligibility through the official eligibility check, then complete the online application form. 
• Required documents include a safeguarding policy and the organisation’s most recent annual accounts.

Eligibility check & application details here:

Apply Now: 

https://theirworld.org/small-grants-eligibility-check/

Application Timeline

Application window opens: January 2026

Application deadline: 16 February 2026 at 5:00pm GMT

Q&A webinars for applicants: Early February 2026

Final decisions announced: 30 June 2026

Grant contracting and payments: July – August 2026

Full Programme Guidelines (PDF):

https://theirworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Small-Grants-Programme-2026.pdf