The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a Pan-African organization dedicated to supporting women’s rights and feminist movements across Africa. By providing grants, AWDF aims to make gender justice a reality throughout the continent. Since its inception in 2000, AWDF has provided financial support and resources to over 1,500 women’s organizations in 46 African countries, helping to catalyze impactful social change.
AWDF’s Vision and Mission
AWDF envisions a world where African women live in dignity and equality, free from violence and discrimination, and fully exercise their rights and voice. Its mission is to mobilize financial resources, strengthen feminist movements, and advocate for gender justice, ensuring sustainable change for women and marginalized communities.
Types of Grants Offered by AWDF
AWDF offers various grants to support initiatives that promote the rights of women, girls, and gender-diverse people. For the current call for applications, there are three types of grants available:
1. Open Grants
These grants support projects that address structural barriers to gender equality and build the agency of women, girls, and gender-diverse people to lead activism toward gender justice.
- Funding Amount: Organizations can apply for up to a maximum of USD 75,000 per year for two years, totaling USD 150,000.
- Focus Areas: Open Grants are designed for initiatives tackling pressing gender-related challenges, such as violence against women, economic empowerment, health and reproductive rights, and education.
2. Kasa! Initiative Grants
Specifically for Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) registered and operating in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, these grants focus on addressing sexual violence.
- Funding Amount: Eligible organizations can apply for up to USD 30,000 per year for two years, totaling USD 60,000.
- Objectives: Kasa! Grants aim to strengthen community-based solutions, enhance survivor support mechanisms, and increase advocacy efforts to combat sexual violence.
3. Komboa Grants
Aimed at organizations and networks led by women and gender-diverse persons within Africa, the Komboa Initiative seeks to empower African women, girls, and gender-diverse people to exercise their voice, agency, and leadership.
- Funding Amount: Organizations can apply for up to USD 200,000 for projects lasting between 12 to 24 months.
- Special Focus: Komboa Grants prioritize interventions in Southern and Central Africa, addressing systemic oppression, policy advocacy, and leadership development for gender-diverse communities.
Key Focus Areas of AWDF
AWDF’s work spans across several key thematic areas aimed at advancing gender justice:
- Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Initiatives to address domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and harmful traditional practices.
- Economic Empowerment: Programs that create opportunities for women in entrepreneurship, agriculture, and financial inclusion.
- Health and Well-Being: Projects focusing on maternal health, sexual and reproductive health rights, and mental health awareness.
- Leadership and Governance: Strengthening women’s political participation and leadership in decision-making processes at all levels.
- Climate Justice: Supporting women-led climate action initiatives and promoting sustainable development practices.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for AWDF grants, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Location: Be based and headquartered in Africa. AWDF does not fund organizations registered or headquartered outside Africa.
- Leadership: The organization’s Director or Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board must identify as female or gender-diverse, and at least 70% of all staff should identify as female or gender-diverse.
- Registration Duration: Generally, organizations should have been registered for at least three years. In exceptional cases, AWDF may consider applications from newer organizations led by marginalized groups, including women with disabilities, gender-diverse individuals, sex workers, refugees, and migrant women.
- Non-Profit Status: AWDF does not fund profit-making entities.
Application Process
The current call for proposals was launched on 26th February 2024 and will remain open until 2nd April 2024 (11:59 PM GMT).
- Organizations can only submit one application, choosing between Open, Kasa! Initiative, or Komboa grants.
- The evaluation process involves a thorough review by AWDF’s Programmes Department, with input from Regional Advisers and final approval by AWDF’s Board.
- Applicants will be notified of their application’s status by mid-August 2024.
Financial Accountability
AWDF prioritizes transparency and accountability. Applicants are required to provide:
- Financial Statements: Audited or unaudited accounts signed by management for the last three years.
- Income Cap: Organizations can apply for grants representing no more than 50% of their previous year’s income.
Capacity Building and Beyond
In addition to financial grants, AWDF provides capacity-building support, including training, technical assistance, and leadership development programs. AWDF also fosters networking and collaboration opportunities, creating a robust community of feminist leaders and advocates across Africa.
Success Stories
- Empowering Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Kenya: With support from AWDF, a local NGO established a shelter for survivors and trained community members in trauma-informed care, significantly reducing stigma and increasing reporting rates.
- Economic Independence for Rural Women in Mali: AWDF funded a cooperative for women farmers, providing access to credit, training, and resources, which improved livelihoods and food security for hundreds of families.
Conclusion
AWDF’s grant programs are a beacon of hope and empowerment for African women’s rights organizations. By providing financial support, capacity-building opportunities, and advocacy platforms, AWDF is creating a ripple effect of sustainable change across the continent.