People Powered’s Climate Democracy Accelerator (CDA) backs government and civil society teams that want to launch a participatory climate programme. It is built for practitioners and policy staff with a regenerative agriculture or renewable energy project. Applications close on 27 November 2026 at 11:59 pm UTC, and the programme page lists a $10,000 implementation grant.
At a glance
| Deadline | 27 November 2026, 11:59 pm UTC |
| Who can apply | Government officials, staff and policymakers (with a civil society partner), and civil society staff and climate advocates |
| Focus | Only programmes on regenerative agriculture or renewable energy are accepted |
| Benefit | Six months of training and support, plus a $10,000 USD implementation grant as listed on the programme page |
| Programme dates | March to August 2027, then 12 months of action plan implementation |
| Format | Online: live Zoom sessions, courses and workshops |
| Cost to apply | No application fee listed |
| Official page | peoplepowered.org |
Who can apply
People Powered, supported by the Waverley Street Foundation, runs the accelerator with in-country lead partners: Accionar.io in Mexico, PRIA in India, Kota Kita in Indonesia and Delibera Brasil in Brazil. The programme page sets these criteria:
- Government officials, staff and policymakers who want to launch a participatory climate programme. A government applicant needs a partnership with a civil society organisation or NGO, which must be the grant recipient.
- Civil society staff and climate advocates who want to run a participatory climate programme with a government institution.
- The lead participant needs professional proficiency in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish.
- Priority goes to applicants from Brazil, Indonesia, India and Mexico. Additional spots are open to other countries, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. People Powered members and Open Government Partnership members are also prioritised.
- Former CDA participants are not prioritised but may apply as part of a coalition. Multiple applications from one organisation are discouraged.
Civil society organisations that receive the grant must also meet extra conditions: at least one full year of operations and successful fundraising before shortlisting, paid staff and a board or advisory committee, and registration as a non-profit in the country of operation. Indian applicants need a valid FCRA registration.
What you get
The programme page lists the following for the cohort starting in March 2027, which has 30 government and civil society participants:
- Six months of practice-oriented training and support, with a dedicated mentor.
- Access to the Participation Playbook, live sessions, online courses, workshops and localised case studies.
- A country-based peer group facilitated by the in-country lead partner.
- A $10,000 USD implementation grant for all participants.
- An additional $15,000 award for the top six action plans in each cohort.
The time commitment is about two to three hours per week from March to August 2027, plus scheduled live sessions.
How to apply
- Read the requirements and selection criteria on the official CDA page.
- Complete the online application form linked from that page. It asks about the participatory project, the climate challenge, engagement with marginalised communities, partnership experience, your goals and the support you need.
- Submit the required documents before 27 November 2026, 11:59 pm UTC.
Key dates
- Application period: 7 October to 27 November 2026
- Selection: December 2026
- Participants notified: January 2027
- Due diligence and onboarding: February to March 2027
- Programme runs: March to August 2027
- Action plan implementation: September 2027 to August 2028
Advice from the Impact DOTS team
- Check your focus first. The page accepts only programmes on regenerative agriculture or renewable energy, so a broader climate idea needs narrowing before you draft.
- Settle the partnership early. A government team needs a civil society partner that will hold the grant, and a civil society team needs a government institution to work with.
- Prepare the due diligence file now. The page lists 12 to 24 months of audited accounts (or official financial reports where audits are not required), proof of non-profit status, a tax form and a bank account that can receive USD wire transfers from the United States.
- Answer the form’s own questions with evidence of how you engage marginalised communities, since that is one of the topics the form covers.
- Read the page’s note on acceptable AI use in applications before you submit.
FAQ
Is there a fee to apply to the Climate Democracy Accelerator?
The programme page lists no application fee.
Do I have to be based in Brazil, India, Indonesia or Mexico?
No. Those four countries get priority, but the page says additional spots are open to other countries, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Which languages can I apply in?
The lead participant needs professional proficiency in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish.
When will applicants hear back?
Selection takes place in December 2026 and participants are notified in January 2027.
