Open Call for Women for Zero Hunger Programme 2026

Deadline: 02-Feb-2026

The Women for Zero Hunger Programme 2026 by WIA Philanthropy supports African organisations that empower women economically while reducing hunger and improving food security. The programme provides project funding, structured capacity building, impact measurement support, and increased visibility to high-impact organisations across 12 African countries.

Programme Overview

The Women for Zero Hunger Programme is an initiative of WIA Philanthropy designed to support African organisations working at the intersection of women’s economic empowerment and food security.

The programme recognises that empowering women economically plays a critical role in reducing hunger and strengthening food systems. It therefore supports organisations whose activities contribute to food production, processing, distribution, and access to sufficient and nutritious food, while creating sustainable economic opportunities for women.

The 2026 edition will select three African organisations to receive financial and non-financial support.

Key Focus Areas

The programme prioritises organisations and projects aligned with the following areas:

• Women’s economic empowerment

• Food security and hunger reduction

• Strengthening organisational capacity

• Financing high-impact, scalable projects

• Structured support through mentoring and webinars

• Impact measurement and results monitoring

• Increased visibility and communication support

What Is the Women for Zero Hunger Programme?

The Women for Zero Hunger Programme is a combined funding and capacity-building initiative.

It does not only provide financial resources, but also equips organisations with tools, mentoring, and strategic support to strengthen their long-term impact on food security and women’s livelihoods.

The programme is particularly focused on organisations that address hunger through practical food-system interventions, such as:

• Agricultural production

• Food processing and value addition

• Food distribution and market access

• Improving access to nutritious and sufficient food

What Support Do Selected Organisations Receive?

1. Project Funding

• Financial support to implement or scale existing initiatives

• Funding tailored to high-impact projects with clear food security outcomes

2. Six-Month Capacity-Building Programme

Selected organisations will participate in a structured six-month programme that includes:

• Strategic mentoring and follow-up

• Support to strengthen project structure and implementation

• Guidance on organisational development

3. Impact Measurement Support

• A simplified and guided impact measurement framework

• Support to consolidate and track key impact indicators

• Tools to improve monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

4. Increased Visibility and Communication

Laureates benefit from enhanced visibility through:

• Organisational portraits

• Digital communication campaigns

• Impact infographics

• Exposure across WIA Philanthropy and Stop Hunger networks

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is open to African civil society organisations that meet all of the following criteria.

Eligible Organisations

• Local associations, NGOs, or foundations

• Operating in Africa and based in one of the 12 focus countries

• Actively working on women’s economic empowerment linked to food security

2026 Focus Countries

Eligible organisations must be based in one of the following countries:

• Gabon

• Senegal

• Côte d’Ivoire

• Togo

• Benin

• Tunisia

• Morocco

• Ethiopia

• Botswana

• Namibia

• Ghana

• Sierra Leone

Organisational Requirements

Applicants must:

• Operate with a structured team

• Have clear governance in place

• Demonstrate operational capacity

• Be willing to engage in a multi-step selection process

Why This Programme Matters

Women play a central role in Africa’s food systems, yet often face limited access to resources, financing, and decision-making power.

This programme matters because it:

• Strengthens women-led and women-focused economic initiatives

• Addresses hunger through sustainable, community-based solutions

• Supports organisations beyond funding through mentoring and capacity building

• Encourages measurable and accountable impact

• Increases visibility for grassroots organisations working on food security

How the Selection Process Works

Organisations must be willing to participate in a structured, multi-step selection process, which includes:

1. Participation in informational webinars

2. Submission of an application file

3. Shortlisting and interviews

4. Final selection of three laureates

5. Ongoing reporting and participation in the capacity-building programme

How to Prepare a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

• Clearly explain how your work empowers women economically

• Demonstrate a direct link between your activities and food security outcomes

• Highlight past impact and scalability potential

• Show organisational structure, governance, and team capacity

• Be prepared to track and report measurable results

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating women’s empowerment and food security as separate objectives

• Submitting projects without clear, measurable outcomes

• Weak governance or unclear organisational structure

• Applying without the capacity to engage in mentoring and reporting

• Focusing only on short-term aid rather than sustainable solutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many organisations will be selected in 2026?

Three African organisations will be selected as laureates in the 2026 edition.

2. Is the programme only for women-led organisations?

Not necessarily, but the organisation’s work must actively empower women economically.

3. What type of projects are prioritised?

Projects related to food production, processing, distribution, access to nutritious food, and hunger reduction.

4. Is funding provided alone or with additional support?

Funding is combined with a six-month capacity-building programme, mentoring, and impact measurement support.

5. Do organisations need prior impact measurement experience?

No. The programme provides a simplified and guided framework to support impact tracking.

6. Can organisations outside the 12 focus countries apply?

No. Applicants must be based in one of the 12 designated countries for the 2026 edition.

7. Are selected organisations required to report on results?

Yes. Laureates must participate in monitoring, reporting, and follow-up activities.

Conclusion

The Women for Zero Hunger Programme 2026 by WIA Philanthropy is a strategic opportunity for African organisations working to empower women while addressing hunger and food insecurity. By combining funding, capacity building, impact measurement, and visibility, the programme supports sustainable, women-centred solutions that strengthen food systems and communities across Africa.

For more information, visit WIA Philanthropy.