The overall goal of KIOS is to promote human rights in developing countries. KIOS provides financial support to indigenous civil society organisations that work to increase public awareness, strengthen and broaden human rights collaboration, strengthen organisational capacity and expand the human rights community, mainly in developing countries. Partners must be working on issues related directly to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The KIOS' current funding agreement requires a self-financing share of a minimum 7, 5% of the total costs of any project funded by KIOS. This self-financing share of the applicant organisation can be either in money or in kind. Support received from any other donor may not be included in the self-financing share.

An application form can be found on the KIOS website; it should be sent to the KIOS Office in Helsinki.