DILG: $3 M grant for civil society groups to combat extremism

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will receive a $3 million grant from an international agency to help civil society organizations (CSOs) address and combat violent extremism.

In a statement on Friday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), a non-profit Swiss foundation, partnered with the Philippine government to prevent violent extremism.

“One of the priorities of DILG is the protection of peace and safety of Filipino communities through the prevention of violent extremism. Now having GCERF as a partner towards the achievement of this goal further empowers our locales in addressing this issue,” Año said.

Año said the GCERF funding will be tapped to support areas in Mindanao, Luzon and Metro Manila that are vulnerable to violent extremism.

Año is inviting CSOs to apply for the GCERF grant.

DILG Assistant Secretary Alexander Macario said CSO-grantees should propose activities that would offer life skills and critical thinking as protection against recruitment on violent extremism.

The application for GCERF funding will be accepted until May 26, 2019. All application forms must be submitted to [email protected].

Interested applicants may likewise visit the GCERF website for further details. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)