Priorities include:

• Strengthening the capacity of civil society actors and communities to promote peaceful social change through activities such as, advocacy, knowledge sharing and networking that increase tolerance and encourage conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution. This is based on the assumption that intolerance (and extremism) is a major driver of violent conflict, and that incentivizing civil society networks to promote tolerance and the peaceful resolution of conflict advances local, national and collective peace and security in the region.
• Promoting dialogue among dissenting parties to foster shared interest in and collective responsibility for maintaining local, national, and regional peace. This is based on the assumption that the peaceful exchange of views and ideas builds understanding, empathy and tolerance and identifies new possibilities for peaceful coexistence among nations and peoples of the region.
• Informing the assumptions and decisions of policy makers and practitioners through relevant research, analysis and high-level dialogue. This is based on the assumption that informed decisions and awareness of policy options increase the prospects for policy choices that promote peaceful outcomes.

Please note that priority will be given to projects with regional focus that aim to address conflict and peacebuilding issues among and between countries in South and/or Central Asia. Applications submitted by South and Central Asian civil society organizations will be given priority consideration. Applications will be accepted on rolling basis and only in English.