Organizations working to strengthen the voices, leadership, and civic engagement of migrant women across the European Union now have an exciting funding opportunity through the WE-EMPOWER II Grant Programme. Launched by WIDE+ under the European Union Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Structural Grant (2025–2027), this initiative seeks to support small-scale projects that promote democratic participation, community engagement, advocacy, and leadership among migrant women.
With a total funding pool of €80,000 available, the programme is expected to support approximately 15 to 20 impactful projects led by eligible organizations across EU Member States.
Application Deadline
Deadline for Applications: 6 July 2026 (23:59 CET)
Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical or administrative challenges.
About the WE-EMPOWER II Grant Programme
The WE-EMPOWER II project is designed to strengthen the democratic participation of migrant women through targeted grassroots initiatives and collaborative actions. The programme recognizes that democratic participation extends beyond voting and formal political engagement. It includes:
- Civic engagement
- Community participation
- Political involvement
- Collective learning
- Advocacy and campaigning
- Public dialogue
- Institutional engagement
- Leadership development
The grant programme aims to create opportunities for migrant women to actively influence decisions affecting their lives while strengthening connections between organizations working in migration, gender equality, and social justice.
Funding Available
The grant programme offers two funding categories:
1. Small-Scale Grants
- Funding of up to €4,000
- Suitable for focused community initiatives and local activities
2. Standard Grants
- Funding of up to €7,500
- Designed for larger projects with broader reach and impact
Final grant amounts will be determined during the evaluation process based on the quality, scope, feasibility, and expected impact of each proposal.
What Can the Funding Cover?
Successful applicants may use grant funds for a wide range of project-related expenses, including:
- Staff costs
- Expert and consultant fees
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation costs
- Venue hire
- Event logistics
- Project materials and supplies
- Interpretation services
- Accessibility-related costs
- Communication activities
- Outreach campaigns
- Visibility and dissemination activities
One significant advantage of this funding opportunity is that payments will be made in advance before project implementation begins, helping organizations launch activities without financial barriers.
Although co-financing is not mandatory, organizations that can provide additional resources are encouraged to do so.
Objectives of the Grant Programme
The WE-EMPOWER II grant initiative seeks to achieve several important outcomes, including:
Increasing Migrant Women’s Participation
Projects should contribute to enhancing the participation of migrant women in civic, political, and community spaces.
Strengthening Leadership
The programme aims to support initiatives that develop leadership skills and create opportunities for migrant women to influence decision-making processes.
Improving Visibility
Projects should help amplify the voices, experiences, and contributions of migrant women within communities and institutions.
Enhancing Collaboration
The initiative encourages stronger cooperation among WIDE+ members and the Gender and Migration Working Group.
Supporting Grassroots Initiatives
The programme seeks to strengthen partnerships between established organizations and migrant-led grassroots movements.
Eligible Activities
Applicants can propose a wide range of activities that contribute to the programme’s objectives.
Supported activities include:
Capacity-Building and Training
- Leadership training
- Skills development workshops
- Community empowerment programmes
- Educational sessions
Participatory Learning Activities
- Interactive workshops
- Learning exchanges
- Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
- Community learning events
Awareness-Raising Campaigns
- Public education initiatives
- Media campaigns
- Information dissemination activities
- Community outreach programmes
Advocacy and Community Engagement
- Policy dialogues
- Community consultations
- Advocacy campaigns
- Stakeholder engagement activities
Networking and Knowledge Exchange
- Networking events
- Collaborative forums
- Learning platforms
- Partnership-building activities
Mandatory Project Requirements
To be considered eligible, all projects must meet the following requirements:
Participation Requirements
- Include at least one in-person activity
- Engage a minimum of 20 participants
- Ensure that at least 50% of participants are migrant women or members of marginalized groups
Additional Requirement for Standard Grants
Projects applying for standard grants must reach at least 50 participants in total.
Deliverables
Projects must produce outputs that can be shared within the WIDE+ network, including:
- Reports
- Training materials
- Communication products
- Learning resources
- Documentation of project outcomes
Meaningful Involvement of Migrant Women
A core requirement of the programme is the meaningful participation of migrant women in project implementation. Applications that fail to demonstrate active involvement and leadership by migrant women will not be considered eligible.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations applying for funding must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a legally registered non-profit organization or association
- Be based in a European Union Member State
- Be a WIDE+ member organization or member of the Gender and Migration Working Group
- Operate mainly at local, regional, or national levels
- Respect European Union values and principles
- Comply with Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union
- Adhere to the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights
- Have no conflict of interest regarding the grant call
European umbrella organizations are not eligible under this funding opportunity.
Selection Process
Applications will undergo a two-stage review process.
Stage 1: Eligibility Screening
Applications will be reviewed to ensure:
- Administrative compliance
- Eligibility of applicants
- Completeness of documentation
- Adherence to programme requirements
Stage 2: Independent Evaluation
Eligible proposals will be assessed by a Selection Committee consisting of three independent evaluators.
Applications will be scored out of 50 points, and only those achieving at least 30 points will be considered for funding.
Evaluation Criteria
1. Alignment with Programme Objectives (15 Points)
Evaluators will assess how clearly the project contributes to the objectives and priorities of the grant programme.
2. Quality and Feasibility of Project Design (15 Points)
Reviewers will examine:
- Project structure
- Methodology
- Realism of activities
- Feasibility of implementation
- Expected outcomes and outputs
3. Intersectional Feminist Approach and Migrant Women’s Empowerment (10 Points)
Projects should demonstrate:
- Intersectional feminist principles
- Leadership opportunities for migrant women
- Inclusive approaches for marginalized groups
4. Contribution to the WIDE+ Network (10 Points)
Applications will be assessed on their ability to strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing, and engagement within the WIDE+ network and Gender and Migration Working Group.
Important Timeline
- Call Opens: 6 June 2026
- Application Deadline: 6 July 2026
- Evaluation Period: July 2026
- Results Announcement: July 2026
- Contract Signing: July 2026
- Project Implementation Period: 1 August – 30 November 2026
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official application form and submit it via email before the application deadline.
Applications should be sent to:
Email: info@wideplus.org
Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be reviewed.
Organizations are advised to carefully review all eligibility requirements and ensure that their proposals clearly demonstrate the meaningful involvement of migrant women, strong project design, and alignment with the objectives of the WE-EMPOWER II programme.
This funding opportunity offers a valuable platform for organizations across the European Union to strengthen democratic participation, amplify migrant women’s leadership, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable communities.
For more information about this opportunity, visit here.
Discover more Global Grant Opportunities on OFY here.
