UN Women SIARP 2.0 Call for Proposals 2026: African Civil Society Organizations Can Access Up to USD 548,000 to Advance Gender Equality, End Violence Against Women and Girls, and Strengthen Women’s Rights Movements Across Africa

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has launched a major Call for Proposals (CFP) under the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) 2.0, inviting eligible civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s rights organizations, youth-led organizations, coalitions, consortiums, networks, research institutions, and other non-profit entities operating across Africa to apply for substantial grant funding.

This highly competitive funding opportunity aims to strengthen efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls (EVAWG), combat harmful practices, promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), strengthen survivor-centred services, support women’s rights and youth-led movements, and accelerate policy reforms and accountability mechanisms across the African continent.

With funding ranging from USD 110,000 to USD 548,000 depending on the selected component, SIARP 2.0 represents one of the most significant regional investments currently available for organizations working to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social justice across Africa.

Organizations may apply individually or through partnerships, coalitions, and consortiums to maximize impact, strengthen implementation capacity, and expand regional reach.

What is the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) 2.0?

The Spotlight Initiative is the United Nations’ flagship global initiative dedicated to ending violence against women and girls through coordinated, survivor-centred, and rights-based approaches.

SIARP 2.0 builds upon the achievements and lessons learned from the first phase of the programme (2020–2023), which supported advocacy, policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and civil society engagement across Africa.

The programme is implemented jointly by:

• UN Women
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Working alongside:

• African Union Commission (AUC)
• European Union (EU)
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
• African Union Member States
• Women’s Rights Organizations
• Youth-led organizations
• Civil society networks
• Survivor-led groups
• Faith-based institutions
• Traditional leadership structures
• Disability rights organizations

The programme adopts a comprehensive human-rights based approach designed to address structural inequalities and the root causes of violence against women and girls while advancing sustainable and long-term systems change.

Why SIARP 2.0 Matters for Africa

Despite significant progress across Africa, millions of women and girls continue to experience:

• Gender-based violence
• Child marriage
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Sexual violence
• Economic exclusion
• Discriminatory social norms
• Barriers to accessing justice
• Limited access to sexual and reproductive health services

The programme recognizes that ending violence against women and girls requires more than isolated projects. It requires coordinated action among governments, civil society organizations, youth groups, regional institutions, survivors, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and development partners.

SIARP 2.0 therefore focuses on transforming systems, policies, institutions, social norms, and accountability mechanisms across Africa.

Funding Opportunity Overview

UN Women intends to select between three and seven Responsible Parties (RPs) to implement specific programme components under SIARP 2.0.

Applicants may submit proposals covering:

• A minimum of one component
• A maximum of three components

Multiple organizations may be selected under the same component area to ensure:

• Geographic representation
• Diverse expertise
• Strong implementation capacity
• Regional and continental coverage

Organizations are strongly encouraged to form:

• Consortiums
• Strategic partnerships
• Regional alliances
• Cross-country collaborations

to strengthen their proposals and increase implementation effectiveness.

Funding Available Under SIARP 2.0

Organizations may access substantial funding depending on the component selected.

Component 1

Maputo Protocol Advocacy and Participation of Women Human Rights Defenders

Maximum Funding:
USD 315,000

Component 2

Civil Society Mobilization for Member State Investment and Resource Mobilization

Maximum Funding:
USD 110,000

Component 3

Countering Pushback Against Gender Equality and Mobilizing Faith-Based and Traditional Leaders

Maximum Funding:
USD 300,000

Component 4

Women’s Economic Empowerment and Violence-Free Workplaces

Maximum Funding:
USD 150,000

Component 5

Survivor-Centred Standards and Accountability for Essential Services

Maximum Funding:
USD 200,000

Component 6

Strengthening Regional Women’s Rights Platforms and Civil Society Resilience

Maximum Funding:
USD 548,000

Component 7

Partnerships with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and Marginalized Groups

Maximum Funding:
USD 200,000

Funding requests exceeding component ceilings may not be considered during evaluation.

SIARP 2.0 Strategic Outcome Areas

The programme is built around four interconnected outcomes designed to create lasting impact across Africa.

Outcome A: Laws, Policies, Institutions and Data Systems

This outcome focuses on strengthening:

• Legal frameworks
• National policies
• Institutional accountability
• Gender-responsive governance systems
• Evidence generation
• Data collection mechanisms

The goal is to ensure that laws and policies addressing violence against women and girls are effectively implemented and enforced.

Outcome B: Prevention and Social Norms Transformation

This outcome seeks to address the root causes of violence by:

• Challenging harmful social norms
• Addressing backlash against gender equality
• Promoting positive masculinity
• Strengthening prevention initiatives
• Supporting SRHR advocacy

Outcome C: Access to Essential Services

This outcome focuses on improving access to:

• Survivor-centred support services
• Legal aid
• Healthcare services
• Psychosocial support
• Shelters
• Safe spaces
• One-stop centres
• Justice systems

Outcome D: Strengthening Women’s Rights and Youth-Led Movements

This outcome seeks to strengthen:

• Women’s rights organizations
• Youth-led movements
• Civil society networks
• Civic space
• Advocacy platforms
• Accountability mechanisms

Detailed Breakdown of the Seven Funding Components

Component 1: Maputo Protocol Advocacy and Women Human Rights Defenders

This component focuses on advancing implementation of the Maputo Protocol and strengthening participation of women human rights defenders in continental and regional accountability processes.

Key activities include:

• Advocacy for universal ratification of the Maputo Protocol
• Support for domestication and implementation efforts
• Strengthening participation of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs)
• Enhancing engagement in reporting and accountability mechanisms

Funding Available:
USD 315,000

Component 2: Resource Mobilization and Investment Advocacy

Organizations will support efforts aimed at increasing public investment and financing for:

• Gender equality
• Ending violence against women and girls
• Harmful practices
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights

Funding Available:
USD 110,000

Component 3: Social Norms Transformation and Countering Backlash

This component addresses growing resistance to gender equality and SRHR across parts of Africa.

Organizations will:

• Develop advocacy campaigns
• Engage religious leaders
• Engage traditional leaders
• Strengthen regional coalitions
• Promote positive social norms

Funding Available:
USD 300,000

Component 4: Women’s Economic Empowerment

Organizations will support:

• Women entrepreneurs
• Women workers
• Trade unions
• Cross-border traders
• Youth-led networks

The objective is to create safer and more inclusive economic opportunities for women and girls.

Funding Available:
USD 150,000

Component 5: Survivor-Centred Essential Services

This component prioritizes:

• Quality standards for services
• Survivor participation
• Accountability mechanisms
• Shelter strengthening
• Safe spaces
• One-stop centres

Funding Available:
USD 200,000

Component 6: Strengthening Women’s Rights and Youth-Led Organizations

As the largest funding component, this area seeks to:

• Strengthen organizational resilience
• Build institutional capacity
• Support learning exchanges
• Create advocacy platforms
• Establish the SIARP 2.0 Civil Society Regional Reference Group

Funding Available:
USD 548,000

Component 7: Disability Inclusion and Marginalized Communities

Organizations working with persons with disabilities and marginalized communities will be supported to:

• Build partnerships with AU institutions
• Engage Regional Economic Communities
• Advance gender equality commitments
• Promote inclusion in policy processes

Funding Available:
USD 200,000

Geographic Scope

The programme covers all African Union Member States.

Priority is given to organizations operating at:

• Continental level
• Regional level
• Sub-regional level
• Multi-country level

Organizations with strong national experience may also apply if they can demonstrate regional partnerships and broader influence.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil Society Organizations
• Women’s Rights Organizations
• Youth-led Organizations
• Coalitions
• Consortiums
• Networks
• Research Institutions
• Survivor-led Organizations
• Disability Rights Organizations
• Non-profit Organizations

Applicants must demonstrate significant expertise and experience in areas relevant to the selected programme components.

Organizational Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered
• Have at least five years of operational experience
• Operate within Africa
• Demonstrate strong governance structures
• Show financial management capacity
• Have safeguarding mechanisms
• Maintain anti-fraud systems
• Implement PSEA policies and procedures

Duration of the Programme

The anticipated implementation period is:

Start Date:
1 October 2026

End Date:
December 2028

Total Duration:
27 Months

Organizations must submit detailed workplans covering the entire implementation period.

Application Process

Organizations must prepare comprehensive technical and financial proposals and submit them electronically.

Required documents include:

• Proposal submission template
• Technical proposal
• Financial proposal
• Organizational registration documents
• Governance documents
• Audited financial statements
• Personnel CVs
• Procurement policies
• Anti-fraud policies
• Capacity assessment documents

Call for Proposals Template for Responsible Parties – SIARP 2.0 _ENGLISH

Call for Proposals Template for Responsible Parties- SIARP 2.0 _FRENCH

All proposals must be sent to spotlight.stream1@unwomen.org

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated in two phases.

Phase I: Technical Evaluation (70 Points)

Areas assessed include:

• Compliance with requirements
• Organizational relevance
• Technical capacity
• Understanding of the Terms of Reference
• Implementation strategy

Applicants must score at least 50 points to advance.

Phase II: Financial Evaluation (30 Points)

Financial proposals will be scored based on competitiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Important Dates

Requests for Clarification:
22 June – 8 July 2026

Virtual Pre-Proposal Conferences:
24 June 2026
7 July 2026

Proposal Submission Deadline:
27 July 2026 at 5:00 PM East Africa Time

Award Notification:
18 September 2026

Project Start Date:
1 October 2026

Project Completion:
December 2028

Contact Information

For questions and proposal submissions:

Contact Person:
Ibrahim Nurudeen

Email:
spotlight.stream1@unwomen.org

Click HERE to learn more and apply for the UN Women SIARP 2.0 Call for Proposals 2026.

Conclusion

The UN Women Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme (SIARP) 2.0 presents a transformative opportunity for African civil society organizations to secure significant funding while contributing to one of the continent’s most ambitious initiatives focused on ending violence against women and girls, advancing gender equality, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and strengthening women’s rights and youth-led movements.

With grants of up to USD 548,000, continental reach, strong institutional partnerships, and a 27-month implementation period, SIARP 2.0 offers organizations the resources needed to influence policy, strengthen institutions, empower communities, transform harmful social norms, and create lasting change for women and girls across Africa.

Organizations with strong regional experience, innovative approaches, and a commitment to advancing gender justice are encouraged to prepare competitive proposals and seize this important funding opportunity before the application deadline.

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