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Grants for Strengthening Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment and Leadership through CBRB (Timor-Leste)

Deadline: 20-Nov-2025

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offers small grants to NGOs and community-based organizations in Timor-Leste to strengthen resilience through gender equality, women’s empowerment, inclusive leadership, and sustainable livelihoods. Grants range from USD 5,000–10,000 and target vulnerable communities across six municipalities, supporting participatory, locally driven projects aligned with the UNDP Community-Based Resilience Building (CBRB) approach.

About the UNDP Small Grants Program

The UNDP small grants initiative aims to enhance community-based resilience in Timor-Leste by supporting local projects that reduce disaster risk, promote social cohesion, and empower women and vulnerable groups. The program emphasizes participatory approaches that are locally led, evidence-informed, and sustainable.

Geographic Focus

Eligible communities include the most vulnerable sukus and aldeias in the municipalities of:

  • Aileu

  • Atauro

  • Baucau

  • Viqueque

  • Oecusse (RAEOA)

  • Dili

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – grants up to USD 10,000

  • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) or cooperatives – grants up to USD 5,000

Funding requirements: At least 80% of the grant must be used for direct project activities. In-kind contributions from community members and stakeholders are encouraged to strengthen ownership.

Thematic Areas

Applicants can submit projects in one or more of the following areas:

1. Resilient Livelihoods

  • Economic empowerment for women and vulnerable groups

  • Support for sustainable agriculture, fisheries, eco-tourism, food processing, and entrepreneurship development

2. Resilient Community Infrastructure

  • Construction or rehabilitation of small-scale infrastructure critical for community safety and livelihoods

  • Focus on technical soundness, local ownership, and sustainability

3. Ecosystem-Based Management

  • Conservation and restoration of biodiversity and natural resources

  • Activities may include reforestation, mangrove restoration, watershed protection, and erosion control using native species

4. Community Early-Warning and Preparedness

  • Gender-inclusive early-warning systems and preparedness initiatives

  • Reduce loss of life and economic impact from natural hazards

5. Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Local Leadership

  • Promote participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in decision-making

  • Build inclusive leadership capacities at the community level

6. Knowledge Sharing, Local Innovation, and Learning

  • Encourage communities to generate local solutions and strengthen resilience capacities

  • Promote replicable or scalable initiatives

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Identify a community-based problem that aligns with one or more CBRB thematic areas.

  2. Develop a project proposal highlighting:

    • Community ownership and participatory approach

    • Gender-transformative elements

    • Expected social, economic, and environmental impact

  3. Ensure sustainability of outcomes beyond the grant period.

  4. Prepare required attachments and documentation. Incomplete submissions may be disqualified.

  5. Submit through the official UNDP application platform before the deadline.

Tips for Success:

  • Include measurable outcomes and indicators for impact

  • Demonstrate local engagement and support

  • Highlight innovative, replicable solutions

  • Ensure clear alignment with CBRB priorities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting proposals that lack community ownership or participatory methods

  • Ignoring gender equality or social inclusion components

  • Failing to include required attachments or documentation

  • Proposing unsustainable or short-term interventions without potential for replication

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Who can apply? NGOs and community-based organizations or cooperatives with legal recognition and local presence.

  2. What is the maximum grant amount? USD 10,000 for NGOs and USD 5,000 for CBOs/cooperatives.

  3. Where can projects be implemented? Vulnerable sukus and aldeias in Aileu, Atauro, Baucau, Viqueque, Oecusse, and Dili.

  4. What types of projects are eligible? Projects aligned with CBRB thematic areas: resilient livelihoods, community infrastructure, ecosystem-based management, early warning, gender equality, and local leadership.

  5. How should funds be used? At least 80% must support direct project activities; in-kind contributions are encouraged.

  6. Is sustainability required? Yes, projects should be sustainable beyond the funding period and have potential for replication or scaling up.

  7. Can multiple thematic areas be addressed in one proposal? Yes, proposals can target one or more CBRB thematic areas.

Why This Matters

This grant program empowers communities to build resilience against disasters, strengthen livelihoods, and promote inclusive leadership. By supporting women, youth, and marginalized groups, UNDP fosters long-term, equitable development and social cohesion.

Conclusion

The UNDP small grants initiative provides critical financial support for locally driven, participatory projects that enhance community-based resilience in Timor-Leste. NGOs and CBOs with well-prepared, gender-transformative, and sustainable proposals have a unique opportunity to drive lasting social, economic, and environmental impact.

For more information, visit UNDP.