◇ Introduction to the Fund
The May 18 Foundation has established the May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund to support grassroots civil society organizations working in regions where democracy and human rights are under threat.
The fund aims to contribute to the protection of civil liberties and dignity by supporting those responding to state violence and systemic repression.
• Emergency support for grassroots civil society organizations in regions where democracy and human rights are severely violated.
• Promotion and global dissemination of the spirit of the May 18 democratic Uprising.
• Support for initiatives that defend victims of state violence and uphold human rights.
This fund prioritizes organizations that are actively engaged in substantial and impactful work in the fields of democracy and human rights.
Ⅰ. General Overview
1. Project Title:
The May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund 2025
2. Purpose:
To promote the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and support civic groups striving for sustainable social transformation and democratic progress, particularly in areas impacted by authoritarianism, human rights violations, and state violence.
3. Eligible Applicants:
o Civil society organizations (domestic or international) implementing projects in:
• Democracy promotion
• Human rights protection
• Responses to state violence
o Organizations whose primary mission is aligned with the goals of the fund
o Organizations with a valid bank account (in the name of the organization or its legal representative)
4. Grant Details:
o Number of recipients: Approx. 7 organizations
o Funding amount: KRW 5,000,000–8,000,000 per project
o Disbursement:
• First 50% after signing the agreement
• Remaining 50% after submission and approval of the interim report
5. Project Duration:
May – October 2025 (Extension not allowed)
6. Additional Notes:
o If there are no eligible applications, grantees may not be selected.
o All funding will be disbursed in KRW (Korean Won). No adjustments will be made for exchange rate fluctuations.
o If the project is not properly implemented, the agreement may be terminated, and the initial grant must be returned.
Ⅱ. Project Details
1. Project Name:
The May 18 Grassroots Project
2. Project Focus Areas:
Eligible organizations must be working in one or more of the following areas:
o Projects aligned with the May 18 Spirit:
• Addressing state violence, transitional justice, support for victims, or international solidarity
(Refer to Attachment 1: “May 18 Glocal Center International Affairs Projects” for more context)
o Democracy Promotion:
• Freedom of the press, electoral justice, community-based democratic movements
o Human Rights Advocacy:
• Gender equality, child protection, refugee rights, human rights monitoring
3. Eligibility Criteria:
o Must align with the fund’s stated purpose (Section Ⅰ-2)
o Must directly implement the project (subcontracting not allowed)
o Must not represent political, religious, or private interest groups
o Must not be a charity or provide one-off relief
o Must maintain regular communication throughout the grant period
o Double-funding of the same budget items from other sources is not allowed
4. Conditions:
o Grantees must submit a mid-term and final report
o Final report must include either:
• A short video interview with the organization or
• A video summarizing project achievements
o Additional documentation may be requested by the Foundation if necessary
5. Ineligible Expenses:
o Salaries for staff or full-time activists
o Office rental, utility bills, furniture purchases, facility repairs
o Consumables not directly related to the project (e.g., food, refreshments)
Ⅲ. Application Process
1. Application Period:
: April 21 (Mon) – April 24 (Thu) 18:00 (KST)
2. Required Documents:
o 1 Application Form (includes project proposal, organization profile, and budget plan)
o 1 Certificate of Organization Registration
3. Submission Method:
o Submit all documents via email: may18projects@gmail.com
o CC: sunnie@518.org (required)
Ⅳ. Evaluation Process
(All evaluations are based on submitted documents)
Evaluation Criteria Percent(%)
1. Completeness & Authenticity of Documents 10%
2. Impact & Sustainability 25%
3. Relevance to Democracy & Human Rights 25%
4. Feasibility & Budget Adequacy 15%
5. Organizational Experience & Track Record 25%
• Evaluation may involve verification through the Foundation’s global network
• False or misleading information, or failure to adhere to the proposed project plan, may result in disqualification
Ⅴ. Important Notes
1. Grantees must be reachable via email, WhatsApp, Signal, or other messaging platforms.
2. The Foundation may revoke the grant and request repayment in any of the following cases:
o False or misleading information submitted
o Unapproved changes to the project or budget
o Project is abandoned or not started within the expected timeline (which may impact eligibility for future grants)
o Any violation of Foundation guidelines
3. Any unspent funds must be returned after project completion.
4. All project materials (publications, promotional content, etc.) must clearly acknowledge the support of the May 18 Memorial Foundation. Failure to comply may impact future funding eligibility.
5. Projects that do not meet the purpose and direction of this fund will not be considered.
Ⅵ. Timeline
(The schedule is subject to change depending on the Foundation’s internal circumstances)
Date Milestone
April 1 – April 24 Open call period
April 21 – April 24, (18:00 KST) Application deadline
Early May Announcement of results, contract signing, and first disbursement
June 30 Submission of mid-term report
Early July Mid-term review and second disbursement
October 10 Final report due
Mid-October Final review and project closure
Download Application Here
