Grassroots Funds
Receive up to €1500,- from the Central Diversity Office for your initiative pushing diversity, inclusion and equity at the university.
What is the Grassroots fund?
With the Grassroots fund, the Central Diversity Office wants to help set up or expand Grassroots initiatives with financial support up to €1500.-. Grassroots initiatives are initiatives that are initiated from the community itself and not from the board or management. They are bottom-up initiatives, instead of top-down initiatives. As the Central Diversity Office, we think community initiatives are of high importance, because these initiatives are close to the needs of the community and fill the blind spots of our team. With the Grassroots fund we encourage the community to participate, because pushing diversity, inclusion and equite is best done together.
What projects are eligible for the Grassroots funds?
All students and staff are welcome to apply to the Grassroots fund for any initiatives that contribute to a more diverse, inclusive and equitable UvA community. Potential initiatives share the focus of the Central Diversity Office and meet the criteria stated in the general terms and conditions.
Note: for one off small projects you can apply with the Campus Connections Fund.
Some previous recipients include, for example:
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Accent – Magazine for social insights
With an investment from the Grassroots Fund, the Accent Foundation could compile, print and distribute the first edition of its Accent Magazine. The magazine is sold at Athenaeum Bookstores, the Stedelijk Museum and the San Serriffe bookshop, among others, and offers social insights. Find more information on the Accent Magazine website.
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Us together; a podcast series about inclusion and exclusion at Amsterdam UMC
Unfortunately, discrimination and exclusion take place at the Amsterdam UMC. In six episodes, Manon Stockmann discusses this with colleagues and medical students. Podcast ‘Us Together’ brings people together to talk about their experience with being different, experiencing prejudice and being resilient. With this podcast, they want to create awareness about the effect inclusion and exclusion have on colleagues (in training). You can find the podcast on Spotify (in Dutch).
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Foundation 'het Waterfeest'
Foundation ‘Het Waterfeest’ uses a happy and cheerful method to introduce kids to important themes that connect to our (envisioned) future of the Netherlands. The ‘Waterfeest’ encourages children (and everyone else involved) to think about the position of refugees in the Netherlands, about diversity and inclusion at school and sustainability. With a financial contribution from the Grassroots Fund, the foundation could support bachelor students in their work for the Waterfeest and allow master students to research the scientific anchoring of the project.
How can I apply for funding?
- Submit your application up to 6 weeks before the start of the project using the application form on this page.
- No later than two weeks after submitting your application, you will receive a response in which your application is approved or rejected.
- If approved, we will schedule an appointment with you to go through your plans and application.
- You will receive the fund before the start of your project.
- It is time to execute your project!
- Afterwards you hand in a report about the project including visual materials.
Questions?
Feel free to contact Meltem if you are left with any questions regarding the funds, application process or terms and conditions. We also strongly encourage to reach out if you are doubting your eligibility for the funds or are struggling with your initiative. Meltem is project manager and community coordinator at the Central Diversity Office and is more than happy to assist you with your application. In general, you’re always welcome to contact the Central Diversity Office.