May 14, 2026
We are pleased to announce the selected proposals for the Bhutan Foundation Small Grants Program 2026–2027 cycle.
Following a competitive review process, 10 projects have been selected from a strong pool of proposals submitted by civil society organizations, community-based organizations and initiatives across Bhutan.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all applicants for the time, thought, and dedication reflected in their proposals.
The selected projects reflect a diverse range of locally led efforts aimed at strengthening communities and supporting sustainable, inclusive development across the country.
1. Revitalizing Indigenous Sheep Rearing and Wool Weaving for Rural Livelihoods
Chhumig Jakar Sheep Rearing Detshen, Chhumig Gewog, Bumthang
This project supports the revival of indigenous sheep rearing and traditional wool weaving practices in Chhumig Gewog. It aims to strengthen local production capacity, enhance skills in wool processing and weaving, and improve access to markets, contributing to more resilient rural livelihoods for women and communities.
2. Sustainable Yak Fiber Enterprise for Livelihoods and Cultural Preservation in Dagala
Royal Academy of Design and Arts (RADA), YDF
This initiative seeks to establish a community-led yak fiber enterprise for Dagala Gewog. It focuses on strengthening local capacity in sustainable fiber harvesting and product development, while diversifying yak fiber-based products to support inclusive livelihoods and preserve cultural practices.
3. Digital Preservation of Zhungdra and Boedra and Traditional Cultural Expressions
College of Language and Culture Studies & Korphu Gewog Administration, Trongsa
This project will document and digitally preserve traditional Zhungdra and Boedra songs, along with unique cultural performances from Korphu Gewog. A mobile application will enhance public access to cultural archives and support the revitalization of Bhutan’s intangible heritage.
4. Advancing Inclusive Health and Development through Motor Activity Training
Special Olympics Bhutan, Thimphu
This initiative promotes improved health, mobility, and social inclusion for persons with moderate to profound intellectual and developmental disabilities through the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP).
5. Community-Based Tourism and Livelihood Enhancement around Kabji Hoka Tsho Eco Trail
Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) & Gwpy Community Forest Management Group, Kabesa Gewog, Punakha
This project supports community-based tourism and sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities surrounding Kabji Hoka Tsho. It also strengthens environmental stewardship and local ownership to support the long-term conservation of the lake ecosystem.
6. Strengthening Economic Resilience of Home-Based Women Weavers
SABAH Bhutan (SAARC Business Association of Home-Based Workers)
This project enhances financial literacy, textile quality control, and production skills among home-based women weavers, improving market readiness, income generation, and long-term economic resilience.
7. Climate-Resilient Dairy Development and Fodder Improvement for Rural Livelihoods
Tashi Dhoejoi Om Detshen (Dairy Group), Pemagatshel
This project strengthens dairy production systems in Khengzor Village through improved cattle breeds, fodder development, and farmer training, while supporting more reliable local milk supply chains.
8. Strengthening Dairy Systems, Zoonotic Disease Surveillance, and Food Safety in Nganglam
Nganglam Gonor Gongphel Detshen (Livestock Development Cooperative Group)
This initiative improves dairy production and hygiene practices, strengthens zoonotic disease surveillance, and enhances food safety systems through cooperative strengthening and quality control measures.
9. Strengthening Wildlife Rehabilitation for Conservation and Rescue in Sarpang
Sarpang Divisional Forest Office, Sarpang
This project enhances wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Jigmeling to provide safe care for rescued animals prior to reintroduction into natural habitats, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
10. Fostering GNH-Driven Entrepreneurship and Innovation Among School Children
Innovate Bhutan, Thimphu
This initiative introduces entrepreneurship education for school children, integrating Gross National Happiness values with experiential learning to nurture creativity, innovation, and socially responsible leadership.
Facts Only
* Ten projects were selected for the Bhutan Foundation Small Grants Program 2026–2027 cycle.
* The selection followed a competitive review process.
* Projects involved civil society organizations, community-based organizations, and initiatives across Bhutan.
* One project revitalizes indigenous sheep rearing and wool weaving in Chhumig Gewog, Bumthang.
* Another seeks to establish a community-led yak fiber enterprise for Dagala Gewog.
* A project documents and digitally preserves traditional Zhungdra and Boedra songs and cultural performances from Korphu Gewog.
* An initiative promotes health and mobility through Motor Activity Training for persons with disabilities in Thimphu.
* A project supports community-based tourism and livelihood enhancement around the Kabji Hoka Tsho Eco Trail in Punakha.
* Projects focus on strengthening home-based women weavers' economic resilience, climate-resilient dairy development, zoonotic disease surveillance, wildlife rehabilitation, and entrepreneurship education for school children.
Executive Summary
Full Take
The selection process reveals a commitment to addressing interconnected layers of Bhutanese socio-economic challenges, moving beyond single-issue solutions toward integrated community strengthening. The focus is highly decentralized, emphasizing locally led initiatives across diverse geographic and cultural settings—from high-altitude gewogs to Thimphu. This pattern suggests an underlying assumption that sustainable development is achieved through localized capacity building rather than centralized intervention.
The thematic clustering highlights a tension between preserving intangible heritage (digital preservation of songs), ensuring material well-being (livestock, fiber enterprise), and securing public health/environmental futures (dairy safety, wildlife rehabilitation). The simultaneous focus on traditional crafts alongside modern innovation (digital applications for culture, entrepreneurship education) demonstrates an attempt to balance cultural continuity with contemporary economic demands.
A critical pattern emerges in the linkage between environment, economy, and culture: projects like sustainable yak fiber enterprise and community-based tourism around eco-trails demonstrate a recognition that environmental stewardship directly underpins livelihood stability. The implication is that true resilience requires valuing both traditional ecological knowledge (e.g., traditional sheep rearing) and modern sustainability metrics. The lack of explicit focus on systemic governance or large-scale policy implementation suggests the program's success hinges entirely on the quality and autonomy of these small, localized actors in translating grant funding into durable, self-sustaining change.
What assumptions about the relationship between cultural identity, economic viability, and ecological health are implicitly prioritized by this selection structure? What costs are borne by communities whose traditional practices are being revitalized or whose resources are being managed for conservation? Does concentrating resources on these specific projects risk creating pockets of advanced sustainability while neglecting broader systemic governance structures necessary to support them long-term?
Sentinel — Human
This text exhibits the formal, structured tone characteristic of official program announcements, making it highly consistent with human-generated institutional communication.