Project Title:  Strengthening Locally Led Gender Justice Movements in Africa (2026–2029)

Issued by: Sonke Gender Justice
Funding Partner: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

Implementing Countries: Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia
Programme Duration: 3 Years (March 2026–February 2028
Application Deadline: 09 July 2026

1. Introduction

Sonke Gender Justice invites local civil society organisations, feminist movements, community-based women, LGBTQI+, disability, and youth-led organisations to apply for a multi-year partnership.

Unlike traditional grants, we are looking for co-architects to build a pan-African movement. Our goal is to shift power to local actors to tackle the intersection of shrinking civic space, anti-gender backlash, and climate-induced gender vulnerabilities.

The project is anchored in three core outcomes aligned with Sida’s Civil Society Strategy (2025–2029). First, it strengthens the knowledge, skills, and organisational capacity of civil society and community actors through gender-transformative, evidence-based approaches, enabling them to lead sustainable, accountable change.

Second, it supports the development of inclusive, locally led partnerships and movements that promote collective action, shared learning, and stronger coordination across civil society and feminist networks.

Third, it enhances civil society’s ability to establish and sustain accountability mechanisms to address human rights violations, gender-based violence, and climate injustice, ensuring communities can safely monitor abuses and hold duty-bearers to account. Together, these outcomes contribute to stronger systems, more effective advocacy, and long-term, systemic progress toward gender equality and human rights. The programme will work with feminist organisations, youth-led organisations, LGBTQI+ groups, disability rights organisations, community-based organisations and research or media actors working to advance gender equality and human rights.

Partners will contribute to programme outcomes through advocacy, community mobilisation, movement strengthening and evidence generation.

1. CORE THEMATIC PILLARS

Applicants should demonstrate interest and capability in two or more of the following Work Packages (WPs), aligned with the programme outcomes:

1. Movement Building & Advocacy (WP3): Establishing or revitalising inclusive national coalitions that influence policy at national, regional and global levels.
2. Civic Space Protection (WP4): Monitoring threats to democratic freedoms and providing protection and digital security for Human Rights Defenders.
3. Feminist Evidence & Learning (WP5): Using community-led data, storytelling, and “Outcome Harvesting” to drive advocacy and adaptive programming.
4. Climate-Gender Justice: Addressing how climate shocks (droughts, floods etc) intensify GBV and restrict the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQI+ persons.

1. MANDATORY TARGET GROUP QUOTAS

In alignment with our commitment to “Leave No One Behind,” this call explicitly prioritises marginalised and historically underfunded groups.

Funding will be allocated as follows:

40% Minimum: Women-led or Feminist organisations.

20% Minimum: Youth-led organisations or movements.

10% Minimum: LGBTQI+-led organisations or groups (subject to safety and registration feasibility).

30% Minimum: Other stakeholder groups

Priority Consideration: Disability-rights organisations and rural/conflict-affected community structures.

1. ELIGIBILITY & BARRIER REDUCTION

We recognise that the most impactful organisations are often the least resourced.

• Grassroots or community-based organisations are eligible and encouraged to apply as part of a consortium led by a registered partner (Uganda and Nigeria only).
• Organisations based in other implementing countries (Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, (Rwanda and Zambia) should apply as direct implementing partners.
• Do not be discouraged if your financial or governance systems are still developing. Selected partners will receive Work Package 1 (WP1) support, which includes long-term mentorship in financial management, safeguarding, and governance.
• Priority will be given to organisations operating in rural districts or regions experiencing acute civic repression and climate stress.

1. THE PARTNERSHIP JOURNEY

Selected partners will not just receive funds, they will enter a 3-year “Accompaniment” journey:

Co-Creation Phase: Partners will participate in workshops to refine the program’s strategies and targets.

Multi-Year Funding: Stable, predictable resources to allow for staff retention and long-term advocacy.

Regional Learning: Participation in annual cross-country exchanges to share evidence and solidarity across the seven target countries.

1. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please submit a proposal using the template provided here

• Organisational Identity: Who do you represent? (Highlight if you are woman-led, youth-led, disability or LGBTQI+-led).
• Vision for Change: What systemic gender justice or civic space challenge are you best positioned to solve?
• Proposed Intervention: What is your proposed intervention? Outline the MEAL approach, including: monitoring tools and methods, data collection and reporting frequency, stakeholder roles, beneficiary participation and feedback mechanisms (particularly for marginalised groups), the use of learning for adaptive management, and any participatory MEAL tools or approaches to be applied.
• Movement Alignment: How will you contribute to a National Coalition rather than working in isolation?
• Risk & Safety: How do you currently navigate political or environmental risks in your context?
• Consortium Details: If applying as a group, list your partners and their roles (Maximum 5 partners).

6.1. Eligibility Criteria

To apply, organisations must:

• Be legally registered in one of the eligible countries.
• Have been operating for a minimum of three (3) years, supported by audited financial statements or other proven financial records.
• Have an annual book value of at least $50 000, supported by audited financial statements or other proven financial records.
• Demonstrated experience working on gender justice, civic space, and human rights.
• Applications must be in English
• Demonstrate strong community engagement

6.2. Portfolio Balance Consideration

Following technical scoring and due diligence, Sonke will conduct a portfolio review to ensure appropriate representation across program countries, thematic priorities, target constituencies, and organizational profiles. In addition to technical merit, final selection may consider factors such as geographic diversity, inclusion of women-led, youth-led, LGBTQI+-led, and disability-inclusive organizations, representation of underserved communities, and a balance between established and emerging organizations.

1. EVALUATION CRITERIA

• Intersectional Representation: Leadership by the groups being served (30%).
• Movement Positioning: Demonstrated link to grassroots communities and potential for coalition leadership (30%).
• Thematic Relevance: Alignment with civic space, climate-gender, or GBV pillars (20%).
• Adaptability: Openness to “Feminist MEAL” and learning-based management (20%).

How to Apply

Queries and clarifications must be emailed to: SidaRFEI@genderjustice.org.za

Subject line: RFEI Application – [Country] – [Organisation Name]

Queries and clarifications deadline: 25 June 2026.
Register here for the webinar on clarifications on 25^th June.

No application fees. Sonke Gender Justice is committed to a transparent, inclusive, and anti-corruption selection process.

 

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