The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has announced its 2025 Call for Proposals, inviting applications from African women-led organizations and feminist movements. This funding cycle focuses on empowering grassroots and underrepresented groups through five distinct grant categories. The application deadline is 11:59 PM GMT on May 27, 2025.
AWDF’s 2025 grants are designed to support African women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals by addressing critical issues such as violence, economic justice, and movement building. The five grant categories are:
Inua Grants
Supports initiatives that amplify the voice, agency, and leadership of women, girls, and gender-diverse people. Eligible organizations must have a 2024 budget not exceeding USD 100,000 and can apply for up to USD 30,000 per year for two years (totaling USD 60,000).
Siza Grants
Provides flexible funding to small grassroots and unregistered groups in crisis and conflict areas. Applicants can request up to USD 15,000 per year for two years (totaling USD 30,000).
Matla Grants
Aims to support the delivery of essential services to women, girls, and gender-diverse persons experiencing violence and discrimination in French-speaking Africa. Grants range between USD 15,000 and USD 20,000 per year for up to two years.
Economic Justice Grants
Resources organizations to dismantle barriers to economic justice and equality by reimagining economies and promoting feminist economic alternatives. Applicants can apply for between USD 5,000 and USD 30,000 for projects to be implemented by December 2025.
Zimba Grants
Supports capacity strengthening and movement building in French-speaking Africa, focusing on feminist political consciousness-raising and institutional capacity strengthening. Grants range between USD 5,000 and USD 20,000 for projects to be implemented by December 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations must be led by African women, girls, or gender-diverse persons.
- Applicants should be based and operating within the African continent.
- Specific eligibility requirements vary by grant category; for instance, Inua Grants require a 2024 budget not exceeding USD 100,000.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through AWDF’s online portal, which accepts submissions in English or French.
Applicants are required to upload a copy of their registration and audited accounts or signed financial statements.
Only one application per organization is allowed in this funding cycle.
The application portal opened on April 28, 2025, and will close at 11:59 PM GMT on May 27, 2025.