Call for Bids: China Network’s Open Societies ODA Fund 2025/26
British Embassy Beijing is pleased to open a call for bids for our Open Societies programme, for ODA-eligible projects running from September to February 2026.
All projects should aim to contribute to sustainable development in China by advancing or deepening understanding of contemporary human rights in ways that support the welfare and empowerment of local communities.
We welcome bids that are Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) eligible on topics including:
- Women’s Rights
- Rights of LGBT+ people
- Rights of persons with disabilities
- Civil society resilience
- Media freedom
- Digital rights
This bidding round will only fund projects running between Autumn 2025 (September onwards) and 28 February 2026. All project outputs, including finalised research/analytical products, must be completed by 28 February 2026.
If bidders see potential for their project to extend into a subsequent project beyond 31 March 2026, bidders are welcome to explain how this might be achieved in the project summary, but should note that a further bid would be required next year in order to secure funding.
Selection Criteria
Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Project design: Feasibility of activities and outputs including the capacity of implementing organisation to deliver outcomes.
- Impact: Demonstrated contribution to sustainable development outcomes in China, particularly through strengthening inclusive governance, civil society engagement, access to justice, or protection of vulnerable groups. Working together with other diverse partners to enhance impact of the project.
- Alignment: Alignment with internationally recognized development goals, and with HMG’s strategic priorities for promoting human rights and inclusive development in China.
- Scalability: The potential for the project to act as a building block for subsequent expansion/work improving human rights.
- Viability and risks: Clear engagement/buy-in of key stakeholders. Robust analysis of key risks including a plan of action to manage and mitigate those risks.
- Value for money: Comparable and reasonable costs against the scale of achievable outcomes
We draw your attention to the below key points:
- Proposals should be up to £80,000
- Proposals of £10,000 and under should be completed using Project Proposal Form (up to £10,000)
- Proposals over £10,000 and up to £80,000 should be completed using Project Proposal Form (up to £80,000)
- All funding must be activity-based, however the FCDO will reimburse an implementing partner the costs that are not directly associated with, but still necessary for, the delivery of a project.
Process
- Project proposals must be submitted by 23:59 (GMT) on Wednesday 20 August 2025. Late proposals will not be considered.
- Proposals must be submitted using the attached forms only (Project Proposal Form (up to £10,000), Project Proposal Form (up to £80,000) and Activity Based Budget), which must be completed in English.
- Proposals must be submitted to: China.InternationalProgramme@fcdo.gov.uk
Important Information to Note
- Project payments will be paid in arrears in three instalments, on a quarterly basis. Implementers must have enough resourcing to fund one third of the project costs at a time.
- Bidders should send the Activity based budget in the currency they wish to be paid in. Please reach out to the above-mentioned inbox for exchange rates.
- If the project involves work with children or vulnerable adults, implementing partners can reflect a proportion of safeguarding costs as legitimate overheads in their bid, or include programme-specific safeguarding budget lines.
- If the project is approved, implementers will be expected to sign a Grant Agreement with the British Embassy Beijing.