Author: African Women's Development Fund

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]There are more efforts between philanthropic organisations to strengthen common initiatives than ever before. Here are a few ways that AWDF is focusing its efforts on development, poverty alleviation, social justice, economic empowerment, women’s human rights, and more.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Plus que jamais des efforts sont faits et mis en place entre les organisations philanthropiques afin de renforcer les initiatives communes. Voici quelques façons pour AWDF de concentrer ses efforts sur le développement, la lutte contre la pauvreté, la justice sociale, l’autonomisation économique, les droits des femmes, et plus encore. [/tp] (more…)

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]The AWDF is proud to belong to a diverse group of networks and coalitions that work to support social justice, equality and respect for women’s human rights for African women. These include:[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]AWDF est fier d’appartenir à un réseaux de coalitions diversifiées œuvrant au soutien de la justice sociale, de l’égalité et au respect des droits humains des femmes, pour les femmes africaines. Ceux-ci comprennent:[/tp] (more…)

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]African women do inspirational work every day. That is why we strive to document their art and work, and provide them with the tools and platforms to tell their own stories.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Les femmes africaines font un travail inspirant chaque jour. Voilà pourquoi nous nous efforçons de documenter leur art et leur travail, ainsi que de leur fournir des outils et plates-formes pour raconter leurs propres histoires.[/tp]

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[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]AWDF’s capacity building programme provides technical skills and trainings aimed at developing and strengthening grantees’ organisations and their work. Below are some of the programmes we offer:[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Le programme de renforcement des capacités d’AWDF apporte ses compétences techniques et des formations visant à développer et renforcer les organisations bénéficiaires et leur travail. Voici quelques-uns des programmes que nous offrons:[/tp]
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AWDF was founded to support the leadership and agency of African women in transforming society towards equality and justice. In that light, under its main grants programme, AWDF supports African women’s organisations that meet the following criteria:

• Women-led, with a majority women staff and board
• A stated commitment to supporting women and/or advancing women’s rights/ gender equality in their mission/vision
• Organisations registered in any African country, and working at the local, national, sub-regional or regional African levels. (Note that AWDF is not able to transfer funds to organisations based in Sudan, South Sudan or Somalia. However AWDF is able to support organisations based in other African countries that are implementing initiatives in these countries).

Organisations applying to AWDF for the first time, and past grantees who have not received a grant from AWDF in the past three years should send a reference letter, and the name and contact information for an additional referee who knows the organisation’s work. Referees may be donors, other organisations – including grantees of AWDF.

Political parties, religious institutions, government bodies, for-profit organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding either independently or as part of a consortium.

What types of grant requests do we support?

• AWDF will award grants to organisations working to advance progress in the thematic areas specified above. AWDF accepts requests for project funding however encourages applicants to incorporate adequate budget to cover core operating costs.
• AWDF also awards capacity building grants that focus on advancing organisational growth and development – for example strategic planning, developing fundraising and communications strategies, strengthening organisational governance systems and human resources management.

Activities to be considered for funding include:

• Campaigns to advance specific women’s rights agendas, law and policy change
• Training to build core social change and activist skills
• Action-research and knowledge production
• Alliance and movement-building activities
• Interventions to change public attitudes on key women’s rights issues\
• Services to advance women’s rights (including legal aid, violence support services, counselling and free medical services for HIV, cancers and other women’s health concerns)
• Income generation activities that include a focus on increasing women’s understanding of their rights and/or building their social and political leadership.

Activities not eligible for funding:

• Party-political campaigning
• Activities aimed at proselytizing/religious conversion
• Scholarships
• Grants to individuals
• Construction and purchase of buildings and land

The AWDF will not support the following:

• Organisations that aim to convert people to any religious belief
• Political parties or women’s wings of political parties
• Individuals
• Government departments
• Scholarships and fellowships for academic studies
• Organisations that are not led by women

Application and decision-making timeline

AWDF awards two cycles of grants (in the second and last quarter) each year. Applications can be sent in at any time, however the applications will be assessed for approval twice a year.

Grant sizes

Grant sizes vary per call. Please refer to the maximum grant sizes indicated in the call for applications you are responding to. Organisations applying for grants of US $20,000 and above will be required to provide audit report conducted by a reputable audit firm.

Note that AWDF will only consider grants amounts that are less than 50% of an organisation’s annual income as evident in the latest annual audit statements.

What we look for in grant applications:

• Applying organisations should preferably have been in existence for at least three years.
• Organisations have to produce evidence (relevant certificates) to show their legal existence
• Organisations should show how the funding proposal fits into the organisation’s overall strategy for the area of work or community in which it is located.
• Organisations have to demonstrate how their work fits into either a local, national or regional strategy for the empowerment of African women.
• Applying organisations should have basic organisational systems and structures in place. For example a constitution, Strategic plan and financial reports.
• The organisation should have a clear evaluation plan for the project – including what you aim to achieve and to change, and measures to track progress
• Plans for sustainability including raising additional or further funding to keep the initiative going
• Organisation should be able to demonstrate that they can manage funds and account for them in a transparent manner.

To view an updated stream of stories from our grantees : please click here

$1,000 to conduct HIV testing and counseling for Fulani women in Sabga, to broadcast HIV informative talks on 3 radio stations and to commemorate the 2012 World AIDS Day.

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]There are many ways to get involved and support our work.

• Contribute to our endowments
• Host a movie night
• Start a Twitter party
• Spread the word
• Donate gifts of support
• Celebrate a woman you love
• Make a donation[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Il ya plusieurs façons de vous impliquer et de soutenir notre travail.

• Contribuez à nos dotations
• Hébergez une soirée cinéma
• Lancez une Twitter party
• Passez le mot
• Faire un cadeau de soutien
• Célébrez une femme que vous aimez
• Faire un don[/tp]

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]In her TEDxChange talk, Chief Executive Officer of the AWDF Theo Sowa talks about African women’s voices and representation in conversations of international health and poverty issues. She argues that if we truly want to see progress in Africa and across borders, we need to invite the millions of African women who are leading change to the table. [/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Dans son intervention “TEDxChange talk”, la chef de la direction d’AWDF Theo Sowa parle de la voix et de la représentation des femmes africaines dans les conversations internationales sur les questions de santé et de pauvreté. Elle fait valoir que si nous voulons vraiment voir des progrès en Afrique et à travers les frontières, nous devons inviter les millions de femmes africaines qui conduisent le changement à la table.[/tp]

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]AWDF conceptualised the African Women in Film Forum in order to utilise the power of film to accelerate efforts towards gender equity and social justice. We think filmmakers have a powerful role to play in shifting or reinforcing patriarchal attitudes, and we want to work with filmmakers to create a better world for women, and the community at large.”

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]AWDF a conçu le Forum pour les Femmes Africaines dans Cinéma afin d’exploiter le pouvoir du cinéma pour accélérer les efforts faits en direction de l’égalité des sexes et de la justice sociale. Nous pensons que les cinéastes ont un rôle important à jouer dans le changement ou le renforcement des attitudes patriarcales, et nous voulons travailler avec des cinéastes pour créer un monde meilleur pour les femmes, et la communauté au sens large ».[/tp]

[Sarah Mukasa (left) with Yaba Badoe during the opening session for the AWIFF]