Costa Rica: Open data projects for human rights and environmental protection
The British Embassy Costa Rica is inviting bids from civil society organisations in Costa Rica for small-scale projects that use public data to advance human rights and environmental protection. Projects will be implemented between October 2025 and March 2026.
Scope and eligibility
The British Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica is seeking innovative proposals, of up to US$10,000, that demonstrate how open data can be utilised to create meaningful impact in Costa Rica.
We welcome proposals from legally constituted non-governmental, non-profit, civil society and multilateral organisations based in Costa Rica that have proven experience in public data use, civic technology, environmental or human rights advocacy, and community engagement.
Thematic areas and objectives
This funding supports our commitment to promoting government transparency, accountability, and fairness through data-driven civil society initiatives.
We are looking for projects that creatively use public data, enhance data literacy, actively include women and marginalised communities, and can demonstrate clear outcomes within budget constraints. We are particularly interested in projects that:
- promote innovative use of public data to advance transparency and accountability
- strengthen data literacy and civic engagement in Costa Rica, enhancing community capacity to access, analyse, and utilise public data
- address human rights and environmental challenges through data-driven solutions
- foster inclusion of women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities
- establish sustainable data practices that continue beyond the funding period
Project bid guidance
- projects will run from 20 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, with no guaranteed continuation funding
- proposals must be submitted in US Dollars with a maximum budget of $10,000
- administrative costs must not exceed 10% of the total project budget
Assessment criteria
- alignment with the above-mentioned thematic priorities and outcomes
- outcomes are achievable within the funding period (20 October 2025 to 31 March 2026)
- project design includes clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, as well as risk and financial accountability procedures
- evidence of sustainability – demonstrating that project benefits continue after the funding ends
- alignment with the Paris Agreement, demonstrating that a climate and environmental risk and impact evaluation was conducted and no environmental harm will be done
- evidence that gender equality and inclusion of people with disability and protected characteristics have been considered
- evidence that the organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure protection of beneficiaries
- overall value for money
Administration costs should not exceed 10% of the total project budget.
Funding exceptions
We cannot consider proposals from commercial or for-profit organisations.
Additionally, project funding may not be used for:
- communications and marketing activities (including design, branding, website development, advertising, app creation, or video production)
- direct cash transfers or seed capital to beneficiaries
- groceries or household supplies for beneficiaries
- purchase or maintenance of capital or IT equipment
How to apply:
All proposals must be received by 11.59pm on 28 September 2025 (Central America time). Late proposals will not be considered.
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proposals must be submitted in English using the relevant Project Proposal Form and Activity Based Budget templates (provided below)
- proposals must be submitted to Denise.Lewis@fcdo.gov.uk with the subject line “Call for bids: Open Data project – Organisation name – Project Title” and include a point of contact in the body of the email
- successful bidders will be notified by 3 October 2025
Key dates
- 28 September 2025 (11.59pm, Central America time): Deadline for receipt of project proposals
- 3 October 2025: Successful implementer(s) informed of bidding round outcome
- 20 October 2025: Project implementation begins
- 31 March 2026: Project implementation ends
- 31 April 2026: Implementer to submit project completion report and financial spend documentation
Additional information and documentation
All implementers must sign a standard FCDO grant agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy. The terms of the agreement or MOU are non-negotiable.