Interledger Local Impact Mini-Grants 2026

Overview The Interledger Local Impact Mini-Grants support community-led work that expands digital financial access, open payments, financial inclusion, open-source innovation, and digital public infrastructure. The programme is designed for people and organisations with direct knowledge of the communities they serve. Funding available Selected projects may receive between USD 500 and USD 3,000. The funds are intended for direct project activities rather than routine organisational operating costs or capital expenditure. What projects can do Eligible activities include meetups, community conversations, workshops, demos, hackdays, participatory learning sessions, local ecosystem gatherings, research, storytelling, awareness campaigns, content, and community education linked to open payments and digital financial access. Priority communities Applications are global, but priority is given to projects serving the Global South, rural communities, peri-urban communities, and areas with limited access to formal financial services. Project duration and review Applications opened on 6 July 2026 and are reviewed on a rolling basis until 11 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET/EDT. Projects must be completed within six months of accepting the grant, with priority review for projects completing before 31 December 2026. Application requirements Applicants submit through Submittable and should prepare the application form, a two-page concept note, a project budget, and an implementation timeline. Successful applicants may also be required to publish a project introduction blog and a final summary blog with results, metrics, photos, documentation, and lessons learned. How to apply Review the Interledger grant factsheet and resource folder, prepare a realistic project concept and budget, then submit through the official Submittable application link.

Who can apply - Individuals with a concrete community project plan. - Registered or unregistered community organisations. - Nonprofits, cooperatives, civil society groups, advocacy groups, local fintech startups, social enterprises, research groups, open-source communities, universities, incubators, accelerators, hacker spaces, and related groups. - Applicants from any geography, subject to United States sanctions restrictions. - Applicants with direct connection to the community they plan to serve. Eligible activity themes - Open payments and digital financial access. - Open source and open innovation. - Financial inclusion and fintech ecosystems. - Digital Public Infrastructure and digital public goods. Documents and details to prepare - Two-page concept note. - Budget showing direct project costs. - Implementation timeline. - Clear community problem and target participants. - Activity plan such as workshop, hackday, meetup, research, storytelling, or awareness campaign. - Expected outputs and metrics. - Plan for documentation and final summary. Eligibility checklist - Submit early because review is rolling. - Keep the budget between USD 500 and USD 3,000. - Make the connection to open payments or digital financial access clear. - Confirm sanctions eligibility. - Plan activities that can be completed within six months.