About the call
WILPF seeks to preserve and grow the grassroots nonviolent movements for equality, freedom and justice in Syria. To this end, we are supporting civil society efforts towards a peaceful and just solution to the conflict. By supporting feminist movement building by Syrian civil society, WILPF is committed to a rights-based approach to furthering the agenda for feminist peace in Syria.
In 2017, WILPF undertook an in-depth Needs Assessment to deepen our understanding of the challenges, needs and priorities of a number of Syrian organisations working for the advancement of women’s rights. Despite all odds, the organisations were determined to integrate gender perspectives into their work, as well as the community, and made notable achievements. However, challenges such as insecurity, lack of funds, a donor-led approach, and chronic burnout have a significant impact on the sustainability and structure of organisations, as well as their ability to plan and implement in a proactive and forward-looking manner. In particular, Syrian organisations were in urgent need of space and resources to further their feminist values, in particular through flexible funding, customised technical support and coordination. These sets of needs for feminist spaces and resources continued to exist. This was reflected by partner organizations during focused discussions held with them in early 2021 to develop WILPF’s three-year Syria Approach.
Following the successful implementation of the “Feminist Movement for Change in Syria” project between 2018 and 2021, partner organisations reported that they were able to further their feminist agendas, had improved technical capacities and networking relationships, and felt more empowered and resilient. Due to this locally-informed and dynamic support, Syrian feminist organisations were able to pilot new ideas and initiatives that strategically support progress towards their visions and aid in the organisation’s sustainability.
WILPF seeks to continue its support to Syrian civil society organisations to further their feminist agendas, develop sustainable and effective structures, and strengthen networks for collective growth in 2021-2022. Throughout the project, WILPF will provide a combination of flexible funding, tailored technical support and networking and coordination opportunities to partners within the project.
Grant description
The “Feminist Movement for Change in Syria” grant is designed to free up feminist leaders and activists from constant project proposal writing to meet basic operational costs, allowing them the time, space, and resources to think, analyse and act strategically.
Core Grant
WILPF is offering core grants of up to 30,000 CHF to registered Syrian organizations with a bank account to mobilize and strategise for feminist peace.
The funding requested:
Can be up to 30,000 CHF for the period: 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022.
Should not exceed 15% of the organisation’s secured overall budget for 2021.
Must be for core funding primarily concerned with the organisational needs of Syrian organisations with feminist agendas. and not be tied to particular projects or activities.
This grant does not support activity-based funding
Small Grant
Groups and organisations that are not registered and/or do not have access to a bank account can apply for funding of up to 10,000 CHF.
The funding requested:
Can be up to 10,000 CHF for the period: 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022.
Can be to cover core costs or for project implementation.
Is exempt from the 15% of overall budget for the year condition.
Can be subject to renewal for an additional 12 months upon joint discussion and assessment with WILPF.
Eligibility criteria: (Applies to Core and Small grants)
The applying organisation or group must:
Be managed by Syrians and working for Syrians
Be primarily governed, led, and/or directed by Syrian women (cis or trans), young women, and/or non-binary people
Be committed to furthering feminist values and agendas and to feminist movement building.
Must demonstrate how it is working to achieve full and equal political, economic, social and cultural rights for women.
Must demonstrate that they have the means to receive funds securely and without undue risk of harm to staff or others.
Can be located inside Syria or abroad.
How to apply:
You can find the call for proposals and the application forms here in both English and Arabic.
Deadline: 1st of May 2021
Please send a proposal of no more than 10 pages, using the provided template to syria.grants@wilpf.org with “2021 Application - Feminist Movement for Change in Syria” in the subject. The deadline for submitting proposal is Saturday the 1st of May 2021, and we will be unable to review proposals submitted after that date.