AmplifyChange, a new CSO advocacy fund that will disburse at least 14 million euros in its first two years, launched on 22 September in New York. The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is part of the Consortium Steering Committee for Amplify Change. AWDF joins the fund, in an advisory capacity, due to our organisation’s robust portfolio of supporting women’s organisations in the field of Reproductive Health and Rights .

AmplifyChange is committing funds to break the silence on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The fund provides grants to civil society organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to advocate for, and support policy on, marginalized sexual and reproductive health and rights issues.

 

The fund supports groups working in these five areas:

1. Sexual Health of Young People:

Groups who provide and advocate for sexuality education for the young and those working to end child, early and coerced marriage

 

2. Gender-Based Violence:

Organisations who help protect and safeguard persons from violence, including sexual violence and female genital mutilation/cutting

 

3. Stigma and Discrimination:

Groups who challenge stigma and discrimination, attitude and laws, particularly on the grounds of gender and sexual orientation

 

4. Unsafe Abortion:

Organisations working to stop unsafe abortion, including decriminalization and harm reduction

 

5. Access for the Marginalised:

Groups who increase access to comprehensive reproductive services to those most marginalized, vulnerable and poor

 

AmplifyChange provides three types of grants:

 

Networking Grant ~ Building movements for change

Networking grants are intended for larger and more established coalitions. Networking grantees support smaller grantees to convene, learn lessons and strengthen their capacity to advocate change.

 

Strengthening Grant ~ Supporting projects for change

Strengthening grants are for civil society organization projects that can include core support. Strengthening grants build and support CSO voices, SRHR advocacy and engagement in policy processes. Groups aiming to innovate in the way they provide services can apply.

 

Innovation Grant ~ Nurturing new ideas

Innovation grants are smaller in size and cater for interesting new ideas on SRHR advocacy. These grants can be used to try new approaches or ideas in new contexts.

 

We encourage ALL interested women’s organisations to register on the AmplifyChange website through the “Request Information” button (top right corner of your screen). This is the best way to access critical information about the grants, guidelines, news updates and more.

This presents a radical opportunity for small and medium scale organisations, led by and for African women, to access funds and resources for work in sexual reproductive health and rights.

For more information, visit the AmplifyChange website or link with the grant maker on Twitter, @amplifyfund.