“Diamonds are associated with positive events in people's lives, any association with anything violent is something that has to be addressed by our industry and has been addressed and will be addressed.”

Cecilia Gardner, World Diamond Council

Grants

DDII will not be accepting grant applications until March 2010. Additional proposals may be accepted in August.

If you would like to be notified when we are accepting applications, please provide us with your email address.

DDI International brings together civil society, governments and the private sector in efforts that address political, social and economic challenges facing the artisanal diamond mining sector. We are eager to learn, and to explore innovative ways to solve problems, and we welcome fresh thinking in the areas in which we make grants. Our approach is developmental - we aim through education, policy dialogue and projects to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development. We also aim to prevent conflict. Formalization of the sector and greater economic benefits for artisanal miners, their families and their communities can lead to improved political and economic stability.

In accordance with our mission, DDII is interested in partnership opportunities with other organizations in the areas of development research, advocacy and policy development, and efforts that directly enhance the development prospects of artisanal diamond miners. Partners may include international NGOs, governments and academic institutions, as well as national and local NGOs. Please see DDII's Partners Policy for more information.

NOTE: DDII works in partnership with other organizations. Our grants will not normally exceed $50,000, nor will they exceed 50% of the cash budget of a project.

We are interested in initiatives that encompass the following criteria:

  • The initiative will build on, and encourage collaboration and cooperation amongst parties associated with the development potential of artisanal diamond mining;
  • It will align with the development priorities of countries and communities where artisanal diamond mining takes place;
  • It will contribute to the attainment of United Nation's Millennium Development Goals;
  • It will include a commitment to learning, and the sharing of knowledge and experiences - good and bad;
  • It will demonstrate potential for the replication of good practice in other artisanal diamond mining communities and countries;
  • It will contribute to the capacities of those working in artisanal diamond mining communities, or in sectors which indirectly influence the development prospects of artisanal diamond miners;
  • It will contribute to the assessment and development of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to improve the development prospects of artisanal diamond miners;
  • It will have significant and lasting impact.

DDII will not support projects that:

  • do not meet the criteria spelled out above;
  • fall outside of our mandate;
  • do not relate to the development of artisanal diamond mining areas;
  • are for capital leases or acquistions (real estate, vehicles or large items of office equipment).

If your organization is interested in partnering with DDII and meets our criteria,
please complete our online application form: