COAL Grassroots Accelerated Education Microgrant 2025 (Up to N2 Million)

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Applications are open for COAL Grassroots Accelerated Education Microgrant 2025. The Custodians of African Literature (COAL) through the Grassroots Accelerated Education Fund invests in community-led initiatives that improve learning outcomes for out-of-school and underserved children in Nigeria. Instead of a handout approach, they co-create solutions with grassroots educators who best understand the needs of their communities.

After a successful 2024 pilot that supported 125 children, with 13 transitioning to formal school, they are expanding in 2025. This fund supports projects that build formal and informal inclusive learning for underserved children and youth in Plateau State.

Grassroots Accelerated Education Microgrant Benefits

Selected projects will be eligible for a micro grant of up to ₦2,000,000, depending on your project’s scope and scale. In some cases, we may consider larger grants for projects with potential for widespread impact.

Additionally, both successful and unsuccessful applicant will receive technical and institutional support in the following:

Corporate governance for non-profit management
Project management in the development sector
Basics of monitoring, evaluation and learning
Resource mobilization
Financial management
Accelerated education models
Child safeguarding and protection measures.
Youth volunteers to support the implementation of successful initiatives and many others.

What They are looking for

To enhance access to quality education for marginalized and underserved children, COAL is seeking proposals from grassroots-led initiatives that deliver structured, foundational learning programs rooted in local context. The 2025 Micro Educational Grant builds on insights from our 2024 cohort, where successful projects demonstrated the power of locally adapted curriculum, skilled facilitation, and strong community engagement to create sustainable learning pathways.

Proposals should demonstrate strong community involvement from parents to local leaders and government actors.
Projects should demonstrate clear plans for facilitator and teacher training
Ensure adequate tracking of learners progress, and transition pathways into formal education for those that are out of school.
Successful models should demonstrate sustainability through community ownership and partnerships for long-term change.
If your initiative champions practical, creative, and inclusive education solutions, we want to hear from you.

Eligibility Criteria for Grassroots Accelerated Education Microgrant

Open only to legally registered, non-profit, community-based organizations and social enterprises operating in Nigeria.
Projects must focus on improving literacy in grassroots, low-income, and underserved communities in Plateau State.
Initiatives must be locally led with strong community involvement, including parents, educators, government, and other stakeholders.
Applicants must have a clear 12-month implementation plan with a timeline, budget, and expected outcomes.
Preference is given to projects with long-term sustainability and scalability potential.
Innovative approaches (e.g., play-based, technology, arts-based learning, creative methods) are encouraged to boost engagement and outcomes.
Organizations must have robust child safeguarding policies and practices in place.
A commitment to monitoring, evaluation, and learning is required for continuous improvement and accountability.
Projects should prioritize marginalized and underserved children and youth up to age 18.
Applicants must have an organizational bank account as funds will not be disbursed to personal accounts.
Past micro-grant recipients may reapply, showing scalable and/or a new model for continued impact.

How To Apply for Grassroots Accelerated Education Microgrant

Interested organisations should submit a proposal by downloading and filling out the proposal template below.
After completing the proposal template, please fill out the application form to provide additional information about your organization and project. Before submitting your application, upload the completed proposal and other additional supporting documents stated in the proposal template.
Please make sure that all the information included in your application is complete, as you will not be able to make any changes to your application once it is submitted.

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Application Deadline: 16^th May 2025.