Stichting Het Actiefonds is a Dutch private foundation funding grassroots direct action and movement-building worldwide, prioritizing protests, blockades, occupations, and other confrontational tactics that push for structural economic, political and ecological change. It deliberately supports frontline, often politically controversial groups—particularly those excluded from conventional funders—by providing small, rapid-response and seed grants to mobilize people and build local capacity. Grants are project-focused and short-term rather than multi-year institutional support.
Focus Areas
Direct action funding (protests, occupations, blockades, civil disobedience)Climate justice movement-building and frontline organizingSupport for locally-led, intersectional grassroots groups (including marginalized communities and trans/autonomous initiatives)Funding for contentious human rights and anti-racism actions (including pro-democracy and migrant rights campaigns)Rapid-response seed funding for ecological defense actions (e.g., forest occupations, habitat protection)
Giving Approach
Small, short-term grants (typical €500–€1,250; regional ceilings up to ~€2,000–€2,500) awarded via rolling intake with monthly decisions; climate justice stream reviewed quarterly (no decisions in August). One grant per group per year for climate stream; applicants urged to apply at least one month before actions but can request urgent support for immediate mobilization.
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How to approach this funder
Apply through Het Actiefonds' online form on a rolling basis and allow ~1 month for decisions; use the climate-grant pathway if you seek seed funding (quarterly review; one grant/year). Emphasize direct-action plans, clear mobilization outcomes, frontline/local leadership, and provide a concise budget; note they accept urgent/rapid requests when actions are imminent.
Notable grantees:
• Bosbezetting ter bescherming ecologische corridor (forest occupation)
• Woningproject voor Palestijnse daklozen (local housing project for Palestinian unhoused)
• Actie tegen Europees Migratie- en asielpact (direct-action campaign vs EU migration pact)
• Autonome transzorg (autonomous trans-led care project)
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Stichting Het Actiefonds that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $250
Urgent application
urgent protestscampaignsdirect action+1 more
Who can apply: Supports urgent specific actions and campaigns. The Africa region is currently invitation-only except Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; urgent applications are handled as soon as possible.
Who can apply: Supports specific protests and campaigns, including actions that can be part of a long-term project, but not structural or ongoing financial support. Applications must be concise and specific. Due to high demand, applications from the Africa region are currently invitation-only except Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; applications can be submitted without a deadline.
climate justicemovement buildingresistance to polluting and extractive industries+5 more
Who can apply: Project must focus on movement building around climate justice. It must not solely focus on education or awareness, and must not be a humanitarian, health-related, or emergency aid project. Africa-region applications are currently invitation-only except Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.
Deadline: No deadline; the selection committee meets every month except August, and applications should be submitted at least one month in advance.
Het X-Y Actiefonds — Regular Grants (Het Actiefonds)
direct actionprotestscampaigns+2 more
Who can apply: Open to anyone organizing an action anywhere in the world, as long as the action fits Het Actiefonds' criteria and vision. Supports specific protests and campaigns, including those that are part of a longer-term project, but not structural or ongoing support. For Africa-region applications, the process is currently invitation-only except for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya.
Deadline: Reviewed monthly; no fixed deadline stated. Africa-region applications are invitation-only except for Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.
Who can apply: Open to people or groups organizing an action anywhere in the world. Supports specific protests and campaigns only; not structural or ongoing support. Applications should be concise and specific. Due to high application volume from the Africa region, applications from that region are currently invitation-only except Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; applications can be submitted as needed.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.