Deadline: March 31, 2025
The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) has launched the 6th edition of the ‘Francophonie with Them’ Fund, a solidarity initiative aimed at empowering women in vulnerable situations across the French-speaking world. The program focuses on strengthening women’s economic and social autonomy through sustainable development projects.
Program Objectives
The ‘La Francophonie avec Elles’ Fund is dedicated to advancing gender equality, reducing poverty, and promoting inclusive growth. The program aims to:
- Improve women’s participation in economic and social life.
- Enhance access to vocational training.
- Support income-generating activities and economic opportunities for women.
Funding Information
Organizations can request grants between €15,000 and €100,000, with funding amounts expressed in euros.
Who Can Benefit?
The initiative is designed to support women facing multiple forms of discrimination, including:
- Young women (15-35 years old)
- Older women
- Migrant and refugee women
- Young mothers and single mothers
- Women living with HIV
- Women with disabilities
- Women from sexual minorities
Additionally, if beneficiaries express the need, participating organizations may be required to implement measures that encourage male support within their communities.
Geographic Focus and Project Priorities
Priority will be given to projects in small island countries and underrepresented regions such as Central and Eastern Europe. Specific focus areas include:
- West Africa – Formalization of income-generating activities.
- Central Africa – Expanding economic opportunities in agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries, particularly for displaced women.
- North Africa – Supporting migrants and refugees through vocational training for job market integration.
- Middle East – Strengthening technical and entrepreneurial skills for women in vulnerable situations.
- Asia Pacific – Providing vocational training to promote employment and entrepreneurship.
- Caribbean – Developing women’s entrepreneurship in sustainable agriculture, forestry, and food processing.
- Central and Eastern Europe – Facilitating access to vocational training to create sustainable agricultural incomes.
- Indian Ocean and Djibouti – Expanding economic opportunities in sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, and crafts.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicant organizations must:
- Be a civil society organization (CSO) such as an NGO, foundation, cooperative, or private research institute.
- Have been registered for at least two years in one of the 56 OIF member states.
- Submit an activity report demonstrating transparent governance and accountability.
- Show financial capacity equivalent to the requested grant.
- Not be a current beneficiary of a previous ‘Francophonie avec Elles’ grant.
Project Eligibility:
- Must directly benefit women and young women.
- Should integrate gender equality principles at all project stages.
- Can include awareness-raising activities that involve men as agents of change.
How to Apply
Organizations meeting the eligibility criteria can submit proposals by March 31, 2025. To learn more and apply, visit the official OIF application page.