Surf Smart Grant Application 2025 Guidelines
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for grant proposals to implement the Surf Smart Programme! This opportunity is made possible through the generous support of Norton (GEN) as part of the global WAGGGS-Norton/Gen partnership. Note that this call for application is open for implementation of Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum.
Surf Smart
Surf Smart began as a response to the growing need for internet safety education among girls and young women and has grown into a global movement promoting safe and empowering digital engagement. The programme aims to raise a generation of internet-savvy children and young people who use the internet to make a positive difference in the world. Through engaging, non-formal education, Surf Smart enhances digital skills, equips participants with tools to stay safe online, and encourages them to advocate for safer, more inclusive online spaces. It empowers young people to think critically, act responsibly, and lead the way in creating a better internet for all.
Surf Smart Curriculum:
The Surf Smart resources follow WAGGGS Girl-Guide non-formal education methodology. Activities are Relevant, Exciting, Adaptable and Learner-led. There are different activities suitable for different ages between 6 to 25 years.
This is the new phase (2025 – 2026) of the Surf Smart programme, and we have some exciting new updates to the resources! We have created a new, more interactive and inclusive version of Surf Smart 2.0. This updated version includes refreshed learning journeys and reviewed activities for all age groups, along with newly added content on emerging digital issues such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). The programme is designed to be flexible and adaptable to local contexts, and can be delivered in person or online, at camps, events, in unit meetings and in rural communities, to co-educational groups, preferably 20–30 young people. It can be completed over around 5 sessions or approximately 5 hours.
Note: This updated Surf Smart curriculum will be made available to MOs by August, enabling implementation to begin in September 2025
***We are also developing the new Surf Smart Advocacy curriculum. This is for those who have already completed Surf Smart. It focuses on supporting children and young people to take action to improve internet safety - there will be 2 packs: one for children aged 8-10 years and another for 11 years and above. We will launch this curriculum by October 2025 and there will be a separate ‘Call for Application’ for grants to implement it later this year. Please specify in the application form if you are interested in implementing the Advocacy Surf Smart curriculum as well and we will be able to give you more information on the content as it is developed. ***
Links to Activities and Resources:
Surf Smart Curriculum: https://campfire.wagggs.org/topic/surf-smart-curriculum
Surf Smart Course in Campfire: https://campfire.wagggs.org/topic/surf-smart-activity-taster - here you can try some Surf Smart activities through our online taster course.
The Surf Smart Global Fund
In order to help implement Surf Smart 2.0, Member Organisations are invited to apply for a grant of up to £8,000 (eight thousand GBP). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the final deadline for submission is 15th August 2025 with funding decisions shared shortly after. Grant recipients are expected to deliver the programme from September 2025 onwards and will have up to 12 months to carry out the grant activities.
Who is this fund for?
WAGGGS Member Organisations (MOs)
Groups of Member Organisations
Component Associations (CAs) within a Member Organisation
If applying as a regional group of Member Organisations, the application will need to come from one lead MO on behalf of all MOs involved.
To be eligible for this fund MOs must:
Be up to date on payment of membership fees to WAGGGS or have an agreed payment plan in place.
Have reached any previous targets for Surf Smart if you received a grant for the 2022-2024 phase.
What can the Surf Smart fund be used for?
The Surf Smart Fund supports member organisations to reach children and young women with the Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum by assisting with specific costs related to delivery such as:
Hiring training venues to train leaders on the packs
Printing Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum
Transport costs for volunteers to attend trainings
Translation of curriculum into the local language
Costs associated with internet or data packs to help unit leaders run the activities or join trainings
Licenced platforms or tools for online training
Logistics to conduct Surf Smart events (Training/Workshops/Campaigns)
What is the timeline for applications and programme implementation? (Note that this is the tentative timeline and may change if necessary)
August 15, 2025: Last Date to submit Grant Application
August 16 –30 , 2025: Final selection of Member Organisations
September 2025 onwards: Contract Signing and Commencement of activities
October 2026: Expected end date of programme delivery
How to apply?
Fill out the attached Application Form. The level of detail submitted in this form will help us assess the funding application. Kindly submit your applications with subject title “SS 2.0 Grant Application 2025” to [email protected]. For any queries related to the application, please contact [email protected].
When applying, please consider resources and opportunities you already have that you can contribute to rolling out the Surf Smart Programme in your MO (consider human resources, upcoming events already planned, as well as financial resources, etc.).
Co-educational settings: Surf Smart Programme can be delivered to both girls and boys thus, MOs targeting both genders are welcome to apply.
Applications will be scored on the following criteria:
Clear project plan: MO has a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound plan.
Realistic budget: There is a clear explanation on how the funds applied for are essential to delivering the project, and how the funds would enable the project to achieve its aims.
Demonstrated commitment to the programme aims: The MO has a proven track record or has shown substantial interest in taking steps towards the programme results, relevant to the topic.
Mainstreaming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) concepts: The MO has considered how they will ensure accessibility and equal opportunities.
MO contribution: The MO is encouraged to show how it will contribute some of its own resources to the project (not necessarily financial, but also human resources) and use existing events and projects to promote and embed the programme within the organisation.
Innovation: The MO is encouraged to identify areas for innovations in the programme to reach more children and young people especially girls and young women.
Social Impact: The MO considers social impact in its strategy and approach ensuring young people can lead social action projects on issues relevant to them locally and globally.
Sustainability: The MO is encouraged to identify sustainability mechanisms such as exploring potential partnerships and collaboration with various government, non-government or corporate institutions, and advocacy activities that could contribute to the programme’s sustainability.
MO benefit: The funding will help to build the capacity of the MO and contribute to their strategic plan. MOs should explain how they feel funded work will help achieve the organisational objectives.
You may be asked for more information if we have questions about your application.
Final grants awarded may differ from the amount applied for – the team will take into account the above criteria to decide on the appropriate amount to be awarded.
What happens if I am successful?
If your application is accepted, you will be asked to sign a grant agreement, after which WAGGGS will make a payment to your MO’s bank account. As part of the grant agreement and transfer of funds, our MO be committed to the following:
Using the funds granted solely for the purposes stipulated in the grant agreement.
Delivering quarterly progress reports to WAGGGS as per the reporting template and timeline in the agreement.
Providing WAGGGS with your MOs Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. If it is not in place yet this, you will be asked to work on developing one through the course of the project.
Providing WAGGGS with your MOs diversity and inclusion strategy. If you do not have this, you will be asked to work on developing one through the course of the project.
Completing the WAGGGS Capacity Assessment Tool (if not done yet).
Surf Smart training: MOs delivering the fund must be trained in Surf Smart 2.0. We will deliver training on new AI content separately for the former MOs and Surf Smart 2.0 (including new AI content). We will conduct series of trainings. Please sign up for these through the link: https://forms.office.com/e/sxY9ABNztm
Need help with your application?
Grant Application form Orientation Schedule
We will conduct a series of orientation sessions to guide MOs on accomplishing the grant application template and to address questions and clarifications. Kindly sign-up through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/cwFFNaXe9e
Contact Details
If you have any questions, require clarification, wish to schedule training of trainers, or any support needed, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] keeping Global Programmes Manager, Surf Smart in CC via [email protected].
