The Siemenpuu Foundation has defined a set of general and administrative criteria, which concern all projects supported as well as all their implementing organisations. The following list is meant for general information, please note that we do not accept funding applications on continuous basis. Open application opportunities are announced when available.

General criteria

Ownership and empowerment of the beneficiaries

• The activities should strengthen the target group culturally, financially, environmentally and/or politically,
• The measures taken ought to be planned and implemented primarily by the beneficiaries themselves and be based on local knowledge and expertise,
  
• Priority is given to grassroots-centred and broad-based organisations and projects,
  

Impact on the regional / national / international policies and decision-making

• Activities should aim at advancing citizens´ possibilities for political participation and making political decision-making more democratic and transparent,
• The work should promote networking and co-operation between civil society organisations,
  
• Priority is given to projects that have some pilot properties and that promote innovative approaches.
  

Rights of marginalised groups

• Siemenpuu Foundation wants to support people in the South to give stronger voices to communities working for biological and cultural diversity,
• Emphasis is given to projects that promote gender equality, indigenous rights and/or the position of disadvantaged groups.
  

Sustainability

• The activities should be planned taking into account the long-term social, environmental and economic functionality of the created structures.
• It should be possible to replicate the attained results using local resources and expertise.
  

Siemenpuu Foundation supports only non-violent activities.

Who may apply for funds?

Project funds are granted to registered civil society organisations and networks of organisations, NGOs, community groups and research institutes in the South promoting:

• Ecological and cultural diversity,
• Global social justice,
  
• Democratisation of societies and global decision-making structures.
  

Siemenpuu Foundation cannot grant financial assistance to:

• Non-registered organisations,
• A single person or family,
  
• Governmental or quasi-governmental institutions,
  
• Political parties,
  
• Commercial organisations (e.g. private enterprises, consultancy firms).
  

Administrative criteria

• The concept paper and application must contain all the information requested in the respective forms.
• The applicant organisation is required to provide a self-financed minumum of 10 % of the Siemenpuu grant.
  
• The project plan should be relevant and feasible.
  
• The applicant organisation should have proven capacity and legitimacy to implement the project.
  
• The applicant organisation should be a legally registered entity.
  
• The applicant organisation should have the administrative capacity and resources to manage the project, including the financial management and control (i.e. accountability of the organisation, transparent management procedures, qualification of personnel etc.).
  
• The internal decision-making of the organisation should be democratic. Participation of both women and men in the decision-making structures should be guaranteed.
  
• The budget costs should be realistic and reflect the local price level. Administrative costs should be moderate and requisite for the project implementation. Financial and other inputs from the recipient organisations themselves are valued in assessing the applications. The average amount of funding provided by Siemenpuu has been approximately 20 000 euros per project.
  
• Construction activities or acquisition of land, machinery or vehicles are funded only in exceptional circumstances. All acquired equipment must be vital for the implementation of the project.
  
• The maximum length of projects is three years. Based on the funding agreement with the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Siemenpuu can guarantee funding only on an annual basis. However, there can be reservations for funding for the two consequent years.