Participatory Grantmaking: A Guide for Implementers

Participatory grantmaking (PGM) is a powerful way of redistributing power and transforming relationships between funders, established non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the populations they serve. The impact of this redistribution can be particularly profound for groups who traditionally face exclusion from decision-making processes or feel far removed from donors and
decision makers – particularly those living in highly contested contexts or in locations affected by
violent conflict.

This guide is for organisations interested in carrying out participatory grantmaking activities. It provides a brief overview of how participatory grantmaking can be done successfully, drawing on experiences of using participatory grantmaking as part of the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) from 2021 to 2025.

This guide has five sections:

• Section 1: In a nutshell gives an overview of participatory grantmaking: what it is, and why and
  how it can be useful.
• Section 2: The process lays out a step-by-step overview of how a participatory grantmaking
  process can be carried out.
• Section 3: Suggestions for success offers advice for increasing the feasibility and impact of a
  participatory grantmaking process.
• Section 4: Reducing the risks highlights ways a participatory grantmaking process might be
  jeopardised, and strategies to avoid this.
• Section 5: Make a meaningful difference encourages you to be bold and give participatory
  grantmaking a go.

This guide was developed by a working group made up of representatives of Mensen met een Missie, Tearfund and Search for Common Ground1 with significant input from PGM facilitators and PGM implementing partners in the JISRA implementation countries (see also: www.jisra.org).