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The Custodians of African Literature (COAL) through the Grassroots Accelerated Education Fund invests in community-led initiatives that improve learning outcomes for out-of-school and underserved children in Nigeria. Instead of a handout approach, we co-create solutions with grassroots educators who best understand the needs of their communities.
After a successful 2024 pilot that supported 125 children, with 13 transitioning to formal school, we’re expanding in 2025. This fund supports projects that build formal and informal inclusive learning for underserved children and youth in Plateau State.
What we are looking for
To enhance access to quality education for marginalized and underserved children, COAL is seeking proposals from grassroots-led initiatives that deliver structured, foundational learning programs rooted in local context. The 2025 Micro Educational Grant builds on insights from our 2024 cohort, where successful projects demonstrated the power of locally adapted curriculum, skilled facilitation, and strong community engagement to create sustainable learning pathways.
- Proposals should demonstrate strong community involvement from parents to local leaders and government actors.
- Projects should demonstrate clear plans for facilitator and teacher training
- Ensure adequate tracking of learners progress, and transition pathways into formal education for those that are out of school.
- Successful models should demonstrate sustainability through community ownership and partnerships for long-term change.
- If your initiative champions practical, creative, and inclusive education solutions, we want to hear from you.
See the application guidelines for more details of what we fund.
Eligibility Criteria
Support is open only to legally registered, non-profit, community-based organizations and social enterprises operating in Nigeria.
Projects must focus on improving literacy in grassroots, low-income, and underserved communities in Plateau State.
Initiatives must be locally led with strong community involvement, including parents, educators, government, and other stakeholders.
Applicants must have a clear 12-month implementation plan with a timeline, budget, and expected outcomes.
Preference is given to projects with long-term sustainability and scalability potential.
Innovative approaches (e.g., play-based, technology, arts-based learning, creative methods) are encouraged to boost engagement and outcomes.
Organizations must have robust child safeguarding policies and practices in place.
A commitment to monitoring, evaluation, and learning is required for continuous improvement and accountability.
Projects should prioritize marginalized and underserved children and youth up to age 18.
Applicants must have an organizational bank account as funds will not be disbursed to personal accounts.
Past micro-grant recipients may reapply, showing scalable and/or a new model for continued impact.
Grant Amount and Capacity Building
If your project is selected, you’ll be eligible for a micro grant of up to ₦2,000,000, depending on your project’s scope and scale. In some cases, we may consider larger grants for projects with potential for widespread impact.
Additionally, both successful and unsuccessful applicant will receive technical and institutional support in the following:
- Corporate governance for non-profit management
- Project management in the development sector
- Basics of monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Resource mobilization
- Financial management
- Accelerated education models
- Child safeguarding and protection measures.
- Youth volunteers to support the implementation of successful initiatives and many others.
How to apply
- Interested organisations should submit a proposal by downloading and filling out the proposal template below.
- After completing the proposal template, please fill out the application form to provide additional information about your organization and project. Before submitting your application, upload the completed proposal and other additional supporting documents stated in the proposal template.
- Please make sure that all the information included in your application is complete, as you will not be able to make any changes to your application once it is submitted.
Deadline: All applications should be submitted by 11:59pm on 16th May 2025.Â
For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at info@coalng.org.
Selection process
All proposals will be reviewed by a panel. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview or to provide additional information. Final decisions will be communicated within 8 weeks of the application deadline.
- Selected organizations will receive notification of their acceptance by June 2025.
- Final award decisions will be publicly announced in June, with agreements finalized and first milestone of funds disbursed by the end of June 2025.
- Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, detailed feedback will not be provided to organizations that are not selected.
Information session
We also encourage applicants to attend our upcoming webinar to learn more about the application process and tips for success on 26th April 2025 at 10:00AM WAT, register here to attend.Â
This session is designed to provide prospective grassroots organizations with a clear understanding of the grant’s purpose, application process, eligibility criteria, and expected outcomes. Through this session, we hope to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to develop impactful, community-driven proposals that respond to local educational needs.