Call for Proposals: AWDF’s Leading from the South Programme in Africa

African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)’s Leading from the South Programme in Africa

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is currently inviting women’s rights organisations for its Leading from the South Programme to support organisations and initiatives advancing the rights of women facing multiple discriminations.

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) invests in women’s rights organisations as leaders in advancing women’s rights, and as a core force for demanding accountability and respect, protection and fulfilment of rights for all women from duty bearers at all levels

AWDF is one of four Women’s Funds from the Global South managing Leading from the South – a funding initiative created to resource women’s rights activism in the global South over 4 years. The fund was initiated with support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of their commitment to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5. It supports activism devised, implemented, and led by women’s rights organisations in the global South.

Thematic Areas

Eliminate violence against women and girls & sustain respect for women’s bodily integrity and autonomy
Protect full economic rights and justice for women
Expand democratic space; sustain inclusive governance and equal political participation of women

Eligible Activities

Activities to be considered for funding include:

Advocacy and Campaigning initiatives
Training and leadership development to build core advocacy/social change skills
Media and Communication related initiatives
Action-Research and knowledge production with an advocacy focus
Alliance and movement-building
Service provision with an advocacy component
Strategic Litigation

Grant Types and Size

Yala! Grants:
- Size: US$20,000 to US$ 50,000 a year for up to 2 years.
- Geographic scope: Local and national.
Ananse Grants:
- Size: US$ 51,000 to US$ 199,000 a year for up to 2 years.
- Geographic scope: National, transnational (across 2 or more countries), regional.
Pamoja Grants:
- Size: US$ 200,000 to US$ 500,000 a year for up to 2 years.
- Geographic scope: National, transnational (across 2 or more countries), regional, international.

Eligibility Criteria

AWDF accepts applications from women’s rights organisations registered and working in DAC recipient countries in Africa and the Middle East (mentioned below).
AWDF funds women-led, women’s rights organisations as a priority. Organisations must have:
- a track record of work on women’s rights,
- a woman as organisational director/lead
- a majority of women staff
- at least 70% women involved in the governing board/body
- a stated commitment to women’s rights/gender equality in the organizational mission/vision/values
At least 70% of programmatic resources must be dedicated to direct programming on women’s rights;
the project applied for will be managed by a woman
For Ananse and Pamoja grants,they will also consider applications from networks/ coalitions formed by three or more women’s groups. In this case applications will be made by one lead organisation who will be responsible for administering and reporting on use of funds. Funds can only be distributed by the lead to a maximum of 4 named partner/network members who must also be based in the two regions.
Organisations must demonstrate their capacity and financial management systems to effectively implement and account for grant funding and programme delivery.
Organisations must have registration status that enables them to receive funds from foreign sources.
Organisations must have been in existence for at least 3 years.

Deadline:

Yala Grants: 13 February 2017

Ananse Grants: 13 February 2017

Pamoja Grants: 3 March 2017

How to Apply

Interested applicants must download the application form and other documents below available at The official Leading from the South Programme site under AWDF website.
Applications will be accepted in English or French.