Global Context
Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a critical role in promoting human rights and social justice and providing essential services that are often overlooked by governments and the private sector. However, their sustainability is frequently threatened by unstable and short-term funding, particularly in regions experiencing financial instability. This uncertainty makes it difficult for CSOs to achieve long-term goals and create lasting change.
Many organisations struggle to secure unrestricted core funding as most donors prefer to fund specific projects, making it harder for CSOs to cover vital operational costs, such as staff salaries, office rent, utilities, and administrative expenses, and to maintain sustainability.
Core funding provides essential support that allows organisations to focus on their mission, rather than constantly worrying about financial stability. By covering basic operational costs, this type of funding enables CSOs to:
- Achieve Financial Stability: Organisations with core funding are more financially secure, which allows them to plan for the long term.
- Increase Impact: With the flexibility to allocate resources where they are needed most, CSOs can deliver stronger and more effective programs.
- Build Capacity: Core funding empowers organisations to invest in staff development and training, leading to more efficient and impactful work.

Empowering Community Healing Through Art
Hatay Symphony Orchestra Culture and Art Association (HSO) received a core grant from our Institutional Fund, enabling it to expand its team, cover essential costs, and strengthen financial sustainability by diversifying resources. With added mentor support, HSO built organisational capacity to advance its mission of transforming Hatay’s cultural landscape and fostering community rebuilding through the power of art after the February 6, 2023, earthquakes.
Making a Difference
To support local CSOs to continue their vital work without disruption, we have provided core funding through 68 grants distributed under all our thematic funds, totalling £434,635. This support covers essential operational expenses such as:
- Human Resources: Ensuring that the organisation can attract and retain skilled staff. We don’t impose an upper limit on the portion of the grant allocated to human resources, allowing CSOs the flexibility to decide based on their needs.
- Rent and Utilities: Maintaining a physical presence and operational base.
- Expert Support and Capacity Building: Providing resources for training and development, improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation.
- Travel Costs: Facilitating advocacy, networking, and outreach and engagement with communities across different regions.
Our Institutional Fund
Our Institutional Fund specifically aims to address these needs by providing core funding to small and local CSOs. Since 2018, the fund has distributed £179,058 across 30 grants, following a comprehensive approach that addresses both the immediate needs of CSOs and their long-term capacity for sustainable change. The fund’s flexible structure allows the grantees to make necessary revisions to use the grant support in the most effective way.
Alongside financial support, the fund offers tailor-made capacity-building initiatives, providing mentoring and expert guidance in areas such as financial sustainability, organisational management, network and partnership building, volunteer engagement, communications, advocacy, and impact measurement.
Through this holistic support, we aim to enable CSOs to grow and ensure that they have the resources to create lasting change in their communities.
Explore the full list of grants we’ve provided, supporting impactful projects across various areas of work since our inception.
Grants in Action

Roots and Shoots Turkey (Kökler ve Filizler Derneği) aimed to enhance financial sustainability by engaging individual donors. With grant and capacity development support, the association improved its digital presence through active social media engagement, an updated website, and targeted email marketing, boosting audience interaction. A part-time employee was hired to manage donor relations, and a fundraising strategy for individual giving was established, paving the way for future growth.

Deep Poverty Network (Derin Yoksulluk Ağı) hired a research and advocacy coordinator, published six information notes, and launched a campaign to raise awareness of women’s poverty. The association improved its capacity to report to international mechanisms, presenting its findings on child poverty at the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Session on Türkiye. It established a database to manage data, and with mentoring support, developed an advocacy strategy and a child-focused policy to enhance its impact assessment.

Istanbul Foundation for People with Mental Disabilities (Istanbul Zihinsel Engelliller için Eğitim ve Dayanışma Vakfı – IZEV) covered operational costs and hire key staff, allowing its team to focus on strengthening its capacity. With expert mentoring, IZEV developed a strategic plan, created an organisational chart, and digitalised its archives for better data management. IZEV also introduced reporting and follow-up forms to enhance its impact assessment. This support has helped IZEV build capacity, improving its ability to serve individuals with mental disabilities and their families.
More of Mozaik in Action

Children’s Rights
Learn about how we empower civil society organisations promoting children’s rights.
Learn More »

Environment
Discover how our grants support environmental initiatives across Türkiye.
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Culture and Arts
Explore how our grantee partners improve equal access to culture and arts for all.
Learn More »