ICMP Small Grants Program for Families of the Missing and Civil Society Organizations
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The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) has launched its Small Grants Program for 2025–2026, offering an important opportunity for family associations and civil society organizations across Syria and the broader MENA region.
This initiative is designed to support locally driven projects that promote the rights of families of the missing, while building community resilience and strengthening the foundations of justice and accountability.
The program is focused on empowering communities through initiatives that raise awareness, advocate for the rights of affected families, and strengthen participation in processes that seek answers and redress. It recognizes the need to center the voices of those directly impacted by enforced disappearances, armed conflict, and human rights violations.
For this round, ICMP is offering up to seven grants, each with a maximum value of $10,000 USD. The funding supports a range of initiatives, with an emphasis on practical, impactful, and community-led approaches. Applicants are encouraged to propose activities that highlight memory, improve advocacy, or provide direct support to families of the missing.
Eligible applicants include family associations based in the MENA region, as well as civil society organizations working in partnership with these associations. A key eligibility requirement is previous participation in ICMP’s learning and development programs, including the recent needs-assessment carried out in 2025. Family associations, whether formally registered or not, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications may be submitted by a single organization or jointly by two entities. In the case of a joint proposal between a civil society organization and a family association, a formal partnership statement must be included in the application package. The budget must also clearly indicate which entity is responsible for each line item. Unregistered or informal groups must submit a declaration confirming their structure and status to be considered for funding.
This funding opportunity is more than financial support—it is a recognition of the essential role families and communities play in truth-seeking and justice. Through small but targeted grants, ICMP aims to help local actors sustain their advocacy and continue their vital work in one of the most complex and under-addressed human rights challenges in the region.
For those working to support families of the missing in Syria and the MENA region, this program represents a vital opportunity to expand their efforts, strengthen partnerships, and advance the long struggle for truth, recognition, and accountability.
