The Disability Rights Fund has disbursed a total of $5.2 million in its 2025 grant cycle, supporting organisations of persons with disabilities across 42 countries.
The fund disclosed this in a blog post published on March 13, 2026, noting that 165 grants were awarded across Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean despite shrinking global human rights funding.
It stated that disability rights continue to receive limited global attention, accounting for only about two per cent of funding from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
According to the fund, over 60 organisations received grants for the first time, while long-term partners also benefited from continued support aimed at strengthening advocacy and inclusive development.
The organisation explained that its expanded reach, including funding in 21 new countries, has helped amplify grassroots voices and promote diverse strategies for advancing disability rights.
It added that gender justice remained the leading priority, with about 70 per cent of supported organisations focusing on issues such as political participation, prevention of gender-based violence, and inclusion in climate policy.
The fund also highlighted growing attention to climate justice, noting that several organisations are integrating disability inclusion into climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and governance frameworks.
It further disclosed that many organisations prioritised youth inclusion and economic justice, with initiatives targeting leadership development, social protection, and empowerment policies.
The fund, however, noted that demand continues to outweigh available resources, revealing that over 2,000 applications were received, far exceeding the number of grants awarded.
It called on donors to increase support for disability rights movements globally, while reaffirming its commitment to sustaining inclusive and rights-based development in future funding cycles.