Call for Proposals: Small Grants for LGBTIQ+ Community-Led Rapid Response and Advocacy in Asia-Pacific 2026

Background

Across Asia and the Pacific, LGBTIQ+ communities continue to face growing challenges, including shrinking civic space, discriminatory laws and policies, violence, harassment, displacement, and organised disinformation campaigns. These developments threaten the safety, wellbeing, and fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ people and the organisations that support them.

To strengthen community resilience and enable rapid responses to emerging threats, APCOM and Youth LEAD are launching the LGBTIQ+ Emergency Support Fund 2026. Through this initiative, small grants will be provided to community-led organisations and groups responding to urgent human rights, protection, and advocacy needs.

Purpose of the Call

The fund aims to support LGBTIQ+ community-led organisations and initiative groups to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, human rights violations, shrinking civic space, and other urgent situations that threaten the safety, rights, and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from:

• Eligible applicants must be based in low-, lower-middle-, or upper-middle-income countries in Asia and the Pacific, as classified by the World Bank.
• Eligible countries include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.
• Registered organisations as well as informal or unregistered groups (a fiscal sponsor or fiscal agent may be used where required).
• Groups directly affected by, or actively responding to, human rights violations, criminalisation, violence, displacement, or other emergency situations affecting LGBTIQ+ communities.

What Can Be Funded?

Grants of up to USD 5,000 will be available for projects implemented over a period of up to three months (July–September 2026).

Proposals may focus on one or more of the following areas:

1. Countering Stigma, Hate Speech, and Disinformation

• Rapid advocacy and communications responses to anti-LGBTIQ+ narratives, hate campaigns, media attacks, or misinformation.
• Documentation, monitoring, and public reporting of human rights violations.

2. Responding to Legal and Policy Threats

• Advocacy, research, and technical support to challenge discriminatory laws, policies, or government actions.
• Coalition-building, community mobilisation, and strategic engagement to respond to restrictive legal or policy developments.

3. Protection, Legal Aid, and Community Safety

• Emergency legal assistance, legal representation, and support for individuals facing arrest, prosecution, or other legal threats.
• Security measures, including digital security, physical safety, psychosocial support, and temporary safe shelter for at-risk activists and community members.

4. Support for Displaced, Migrant, and Stateless LGBTIQ+ People

• Legal, psychosocial, and protection services for displaced, migrant, refugee, asylum-seeking, or stateless LGBTIQ+ individuals.
• Assistance to access essential services such as healthcare, education, employment, and social support.

Other urgent, community-led responses that address emerging threats or crises affecting LGBTIQ+ communities will also be considered.

Number of Grants Available

A minimum of 14 grants, each up to USD 5,000 will be awarded.

Priority will be given to proposals that:

• Address urgent and high-risk situations.
• Demonstrate strong community leadership and impact.
• Reach underserved or highly marginalised populations.
• Contribute to geographic, age, gender, and community diversity across the region.

Application and Selection Process

Applicants must complete:

• The online Application Form; and
• The Budget Template.

Additional supporting documents may also be required and are listed in the application form.

Application Deadline: 20 June 2026

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Link: https://forms.gle/95wX86UFqQEri3MR7

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a joint selection committee comprising representatives from APCOM and Youth LEAD using transparent and objective assessment criteria.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application. Successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with either APCOM or Youth LEAD, depending on the grant allocation.

Contact Information

For questions or technical support regarding the application process, please contact:

Numan Afifi
Programme & Advocacy Lead,, APCOM
numana@apcom.org

Jeremy Tan
Regional Coordinator, Youth LEAD
jeremy@youth-lead.org

We strongly encourage applications from LGBTIQ+ community-led organisations, grassroots groups, youth-led initiatives, informal collectives, and communities most affected by discrimination, criminalisation, displacement, and human rights violations.