Funding Criteria

We exclusively support projects for the benefit of children with hearing loss. In order for resources to be used as efficiently and effectively as possible, we utilize sustainability as our fundamental guiding principle when deciding which projects to fund. All projects supported by the Hear the World Foundation aim to have a lasting positive impact on the quality of life of children with hearing loss. 

Our funding principles

Quality treatment of hearing loss

We strive to ensure that children in low- and middle-income countries receive quality audiological treatment. This is achieved by working in accordance with a longstanding international protocol for pediatric care. We ensure that our project partners have access to the right training, modern equipment for screening and diagnosis of hearing loss, as well as the latest hearing technology to support fitting and rehabilitation in compliance with international standards.

Building local skills and expertise

Our goal of establishing and cultivating the necessary expertise on site applies to all projects supported by us. Generally, project partners have some experience in providing audiological care and working with children before they apply to us. We support projects in upskilling their audiological skills and providing additional training where needed. This enables us to ensure the sustainability of audiological care while also creating local jobs. Knowledge is shared in the form of webinars, eLearn modules, volunteers, and training programs.

Ensuring professional follow-up care

We only provide donations if our project partner can guarantee consistent follow-up care, including the provision of batteries, maintenance of hearing aids, and validating benefit of treatment. It is also important that project partners are able to maintain calibration and spare parts for the audiological equipment. Supplementary measures, such as family centered care and speech and language therapy, are necessary for children to develop their hearing and speech to their full potential.

Long-term support and monitoring success

We work with our project partners over several years to establish sustainable care. Together, we determine the next suitable project development steps to ensure ongoing provision of audiological care. To monitor the success of each of our project partners, we require them to submit a comprehensive report three times per year, containing precise details on the progress of the project and their use of donations. 

Our funding criteria

We support programs and initiatives that:

  • Work towards improving hearing healthcare for children in low and middle-income countries
  • Have a plan for a holistic program framework and provide good-quality audiological care and aftercare services
  • Have a strong emphasis on building local capacity of hearing care professionals
  • Use evidence-based methods to achieve specified outcomes in hearing health and show willingness and capacities to participate in monitoring and evaluation
  • Strive for sustainable provision of hearing healthcare and systems change in their country through advocacy and partnerships with other stakeholders, including public and government entities

We partner with:

  • Locally-rooted organizations in low- to middle-income countries
  • Professional, legally registered non-profit organizations including NGOs, community groups, hospitals and actors within the private sector, preferably working with local governments and in networks with other organizations
  • Financially stable and transparent partners, working towards a self-reliant hearing health care model

We support our program partners by:

  • Ensuring that all work is led by program partners
  • Providing long-term funding and technological support in the form of hearing technology, diagnostic equipment and financial resources
  • Strengthening funding with professional expertise and strategic consultancy support

FAQ

  • Please read our FAQ Manual to check that your project meets our funding criteria and for more information regarding our application process and submission

We do not support:

  • Basic funding of organizations or foundations
  • Campaigns, projects or organizations with significant political exposure
  • Fly-in fly-out projects without local anchoring
  • Individual persons with hearing loss
  • Projects in countries with severe safety or security risks (as per Global Peace index)
  • Projects in high-income countries