The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples is inviting applications for financial support to attend the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), also known as COSP19.
COSP19 will take place from 9 to 11 June 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
This is a strategic opportunity for Indigenous representatives to engage in global advocacy processes and advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples with disabilities under the CRPD framework.
About COSP19 and the CRPD
The United Nations convenes the annual Conference of States Parties to review implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
COSP19 provides a high-level platform where:
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Governments report on CRPD implementation
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Civil society organizations engage in dialogue
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Indigenous leaders advocate for rights-based inclusion
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Disability rights experts influence global policy
For Indigenous Peoples, participation is part of a broader movement to strengthen recognition, protection, and enforcement of human rights — particularly for Indigenous persons with disabilities who face intersecting forms of marginalization.
Financial Support Available
The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples provides financial assistance to selected beneficiaries, covering:
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International travel
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Accommodation
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Daily subsistence allowance
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Related participation expenses
The Fund’s Board of Trustees reviews applications carefully to ensure:
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Gender balance
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Fair geographical representation
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Inclusion of underrepresented Indigenous communities
Important Application Guidance
Each year, many applications are disqualified due to missing or incomplete information. To avoid disqualification, applicants must ensure:
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All questions in the application form are fully completed
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Required documents are uploaded
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The recommendation letter meets formal requirements
Applications that do not comply with these criteria will be classified as incomplete and will not be reviewed further.
Mandatory Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
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A fully completed online application form
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A recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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A copy of a valid passport
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A nomination or recommendation letter
The recommendation letter must:
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Confirm that the applicant represents an Indigenous organization or community
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Be signed by the executive of the organization or the recognized community leader
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Not be signed by the applicant
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in automatic disqualification.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are Indigenous individuals who:
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Actively promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples
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Engage in advocacy related to Indigenous persons with disabilities
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Demonstrate how participation at COSP19 will strengthen community-level advocacy
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Require financial support and lack alternative funding sources
Applications from Indigenous persons with disabilities and LGBTIQ+ individuals are strongly encouraged.
The Board particularly encourages:
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First-time applicants
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Representatives from organizations and communities not previously represented at UN sessions
Expanding participation strengthens the global Indigenous movement.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
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Representation: Clear mandate from an Indigenous organization or community
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Relevance: Demonstrated engagement in human rights issues affecting Indigenous Peoples with disabilities
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Impact: Clear explanation of how participation will enhance advocacy and policy influence
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Financial Need: Demonstrated lack of alternative funding sources
The Board also seeks to maintain:
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Gender balance
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Equitable geographic distribution
Post-Session Responsibilities
Funding recipients have important follow-up obligations. Beneficiaries must:
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Organize and conduct at least one awareness-raising meeting within their community
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Share information on issues discussed, proceedings, and outcomes of COSP19
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Document and report their follow-up activities
This ensures that participation at the United Nations translates into tangible community-level impact.
Beneficiaries are responsible for informing their communities and organizational members about developments and decisions emerging from the session.
Why Participation in COSP19 Matters
Attending the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD contributes to:
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Strengthening disability-inclusive Indigenous advocacy
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Increasing Indigenous visibility in global disability policy discussions
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Enhancing accountability of States to their CRPD obligations
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Empowering communities with up-to-date global human rights developments
Participation should be viewed as part of the long-term struggle for dignity, equality, and full inclusion.
Key Information at a Glance
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Event: 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD (COSP19)
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Location: New York, United States
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Dates: 9–11 June 2026
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Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official online application form and upload all required documentation before the deadline.
For questions about the application process or the Explanatory Note, contact:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Email: ohchr-indigenousfunds@un.org
Telephone: +41 22 928 9303
Postal Address: CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Applicants may also contact Morse Caoagas Flores, Secretary of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, at morse.flores@un.org for further information.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review all requirements carefully and ensure their application clearly demonstrates representation, relevance, impact, and financial need.
