Swiss Embassy Small Action Fund 2026
By Embassy of Switzerland in India
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Quick Answer
Typical funding of CHF 5,000–7,000 (about ₹5.75–8 lakh) from the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi for short projects by civil society groups. The 2026 call closed on 1 February 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹5.75L – ₹8.05L
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Embassy of Switzerland in India
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 1 February 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Embassy of Switzerland in India. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The 2026 call for the Swiss Embassy Small Action Fund is closed. The deadline was 1 February 2026, and the embassy's page does not announce a next call. The Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan invites Indian or international civil society organisations (CSOs) to propose short projects, and typical funding is CHF 5,000 to 7,000 (about ₹5.75 lakh to ₹8 lakh). If you run a civil society organisation in India, use this page to prepare for a future call, and watch the embassy's website.
What the program offers
The Small Action Fund pays for specific activities and projects, such as trainings and workshops. The page says the financial commitment to a selected project depends on the proposal and the embassy's overall budget, and that project funds typically range between CHF 5,000 and 7,000. The proposal template says the size of the funds granted is in the same range.
Requests only for staffing or for buying supplies are not considered. The template adds that the funds are for concrete projects and activities, such as training, workshops and building of facilities, not general budget support or buying tangible assets. The funded activities can be part of a larger project that covers more aspects or runs longer, but the embassy funds only the specific activities in your proposal.
Who can apply
The call is open to Indian or international civil society organisations. The template says only CSOs registered with the CSO authority are eligible and that organisations must be eligible to receive foreign funding, meeting all statutory and legal requirements of the Government of India. The same organisation cannot be supported two years in a row.
The 2026 call covered human rights, migration, humanitarian work, peace, good governance and democracy, inclusivity and gender, and development or poverty reduction. Projects that promote eco-conscious practices, address environmental challenges or support long-term ecological balance were also welcome, including proposals with innovative solutions or products.
This suits a registered NGO or similar group with a clear, small activity such as a training series. It is not a fit for an individual, a company, or an organisation asking only for salaries or equipment.
How to apply
In 2026 you filled in the embassy's Word template for a project proposal, up to four pages, and emailed it before the deadline with a subject line naming the country, your organisation and Small Action Fund 2026. The template asks for the goal of the project, the planned activities and partners, sustainability and local ownership, innovation, the target audience including the gender aspect, and the area where the project runs. You also tick whether the project is stand-alone or part of a larger one, state the amount you are applying for, and attach a detailed budget. If it is part of a larger project, you give the overall budget and any other donors.
A practical tip: break your budget down line by line, and make clear which specific activities the embassy would pay for.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The page does not describe a scoring method. It says the commitment depends on the proposal and the embassy's available budget. In 2026 the project period ran from signing in early 2026 until the end of October 2026 at the latest, with activities completed within calendar year 2026, leaving time for final reports to be submitted and approved. The page gives no results date and no payment schedule.
About the Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan
The embassy is part of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, which has some 170 representations around the world. Its Small Action Fund supports local civil society projects in India and Bhutan.
Things to check before you apply
- The 2026 call is closed, and no next call is announced.
- Funding must be spent within one calendar year, so plan a short project.
- You cannot be funded two years in a row.
- Indian organisations receiving foreign funds should confirm that they meet Government of India rules and check tax treatment with an adviser.
- The payout schedule and currency are not described on the page.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹5.75L – ₹8.05L
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Typically CHF 5,000 to 7,000 (about ₹5.75 lakh to ₹8 lakh) per project, depending on the proposal and the embassy's budget. The money covers concrete activities such as trainings and workshops, not general budget support. Selected organisations sign a contract; the last instalment is transferred after the final report is approved.
- Disbursement
- Tranched
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The page does not describe a scoring method. It says the commitment to each selected project depends on the proposal and the overall budget available at the embassy. Selected projects run from signing until the end of October at the latest, leaving time for final reports to be submitted and approved.
Application Process
- 1
Proposal by email
Send the filled template and a detailed budget to the embassy.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Swiss Embassy Small Action Fund open now?
No. The 2026 call closed on 1 February 2026, and the embassy's page does not announce a next call. Watch the embassy's website for the next one.
Who can apply to the Swiss Embassy Small Action Fund?
Indian or international civil society organisations. The template says only CSOs registered with the CSO authority and eligible to receive foreign funding under Government of India rules can apply.
How much funding is available?
Typically CHF 5,000 to 7,000, about ₹5.75 lakh to ₹8 lakh. The exact commitment depends on the proposal and the embassy's overall budget.
What does the fund pay for?
Concrete activities and projects such as trainings and workshops. Requests only for staff or supplies are not considered, and the template says it is not general budget support.
Can we apply every year?
No. The same organisation cannot be supported two years in a row, although the funded activities can be part of a larger, longer project.
What themes were covered in 2026?
Human rights, migration, humanitarian work, peace, good governance and democracy, inclusivity and gender, and development or poverty reduction. Environmental and eco-conscious projects, including innovative solutions, were also encouraged.
How did we apply?
By filling in the embassy's Word proposal template of up to four pages and emailing it before the deadline with a detailed budget. The template asked for goals, activities, sustainability, innovation, beneficiaries and location.
What was the timeline for funded projects?
Projects ran from signing in early 2026 until the end of October 2026 at the latest, with all activities completed within calendar year 2026. This left time to submit and approve final reports.
Is the funding repayable?
The page describes project funding and funds granted for specific activities, and does not mention repayment or equity. It also does not describe a payment schedule.
When are results announced?
The page gives no results date. It only says the commitment depends on the proposal and the available budget.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
