What does fair grant management mean across different cultural contexts?

Have you ever experienced this? You are abroad, you speak the language, and yet you realise that you are not being understood in the way you intended. Often, this is not about the words themselves, but about cultural context. A nod that means “no” in one country may signal agreement in another. Small differences can have a big impact.

A similar dynamic applies to grant management. What is considered fair, transparent or respectful depends on cultural expectations.

When funding programs operate internationally, different perspectives inevitably come together. Cultural competence then becomes a key prerequisite for ensuring that all stakeholders feel clearly understood and treated fairly.

These differences can be unsettling. But we’re here to help. See our guide below to learn how organisations can recognise cultural nuances and design their processes in a way that ensures fairness is not only an aspiration, but something that is truly practised.

What does fair grant management mean?

Fair grant management means that all stages of the grantmaking process — from the call for applications and assessment through to award decisions and follow-up — are clear, equitable and transparent for everyone involved. The goal is to reduce bias and create equal opportunities, regardless of background, language or location.

Key elements include:

• Transparent decision-making criteria that are clearly communicated
• Objective assessment methods that minimise subjective bias
• Accessible and inclusive processes, from clear application forms to user-friendly platforms
• Consistent communication that sets clear expectations

Digital solutions such as Good Grants support these principles by providing structured workflows and clear, traceable documentation. Fair decisions are embedded directly within the process and recorded transparently. This reduces manual effort and frees up more time for meaningful grantmaking work.

Fairness in different regulatory and cultural contexts

In highly regulated funding environments, clear structures play an important role. Funding organisations often place strong emphasis on traceable processes and comprehensive documentation. Regulatory confidence and decisions that can be reviewed and justified are central to a shared understanding of fairness and help to build trust among stakeholders.

Typical characteristics include:

• Predefined criteria and rules that are applied consistently
• Comprehensive documentation prepared for internal and external audits
• Lawful data processing in line with applicable data protection regulations, such as GDPR

Good Grants supports these requirements through configurable data protection settings that help ensure GDPR-compliant implementation in practice. This reduces uncertainty around data handling, creates clarity across process steps and strengthens acceptance of funding decisions.

Different interpretations of fairness in international contexts

In many funding contexts, fairness is defined more strongly through relationships, contextual understanding and flexibility. These are general tendencies rather than fixed rules, but they significantly influence how grant processes are perceived.

In relationship-driven environments, personal exchange often plays a greater role than formal documentation. Trust is built through dialogue and long-term relationships. Decisions are more likely to be made collectively and less strictly according to formalised criteria. Informal communication complements official processes and is often a natural part of day-to-day grantmaking.

Timelines may also be handled more flexibly in certain contexts. Deadlines and process steps are adapted to the realities of applicants’ circumstances. Fairness here does not necessarily mean identical treatment in every detail, but a thoughtful consideration of individual situations.

Culturally competent grantmaking takes these differences seriously without abandoning core standards. The aim is to design processes that remain transparent while allowing space for different perspectives.

Putting cultural competence into practice in grantmaking

Funding organisations can adapt their processes in targeted ways to better integrate cultural diversity. This may include:

• Multilingual calls for applications and information materials that reduce language barriers
• Alternative application formats, such as audiovisual submissions or participatory approaches
• Training for reviewers to help identify and reduce cultural bias

Practical examples of fair decision-making across cultural contexts

One proven approach to supporting objective decision-making is the anonymisation of applications. When names, places of origin or other personal identifiers are removed, reviewers can focus more clearly on content and potential impact. Digital platforms support this approach through anonymised reviews and structured assessment forms.

In international programs, culturally appropriate communication plays a central role. Calls, guidelines and support services offered in multiple languages help lower barriers and signal respect. Contextual explanations make requirements clearer, reduce misunderstandings and help set realistic expectations.

Another important factor is the composition of review panels. Diverse teams bring different perspectives and broaden how applications are assessed. This improves the quality of decisions and contributes to a fairer overall process. For further insights on diversity, equity and inclusion, explore the tools and resources available from Peak Grantmaking: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Practical tips for culturally sensitive grantmaking

To ensure fair grant management without placing unnecessary strain on your team, the following steps can help:

• Create standardised processes with flexible room for adaptation
• Communicate decisions early to reduce uncertainty
• Use digital tools to increase transparency and efficiency
• Train teams in cultural competence to reduce conscious and unconscious bias
• Treat feedback as a valuable resource — from applicants as well as reviewers

Cultural competence strengthens fair grant management

Fair grant management is interpreted differently across cultural contexts. While some environments prioritise formal transparency and clearly defined rules, others place greater emphasis on relationship-building and flexibility. What all approaches share is the goal of designing funding programs in a way that builds trust and is implemented with integrity.

Organisations that consciously consider cultural differences and use inclusive, digital tools can create grant processes that are transparent, effective and respectful. The needs of applicants and reviewers move more clearly into focus. The result is grantmaking that is not only efficiently organised, but also culturally sensitive and sustainable.