Deadline: 4 May 2018
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a global call for solutions designed to close the digital gender divide. The WomenConnect Challenge (WomenConnect) will identify and accelerate comprehensive solutions that empower women and girls to access and use digital technology to drive positive health, education, and livelihood outcomes for themselves and their families.
USAID will identify and support solutions that empower women and girls via access to and the use of digital technology in order to drive positive health, education, and livelihood outcomes for themselves and their families in USAID presence countries.
Themes
- Women’s access to technology is not an end, but a means to help address development objectives.
- There is a need to build evidence for approaches that are working.
- The scope of the digital gender divide requires local solutions that take into account complex cultural and socioeconomic factors.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to participate in the WomenConnect Challenge:
- Type: The WomenConnect Challenge is open to registered US or non-US organizations regardless of type (for example: for profit, not-for- profit, civic groups and others). For-profit Applicants must be willing to forego profit per 22 CFR 226.81. Individuals are eligible to apply, though they are required to demonstrate existing partnerships with established organizations (supporting documentation is required and an organization must agree to be the grant signatory).
- The following are not eligible:
- Government entities
- Individuals without demonstrated partnerships with organizations
- The following are not eligible:
- Size: The WomenConnect Challenge is open to all organizations regardless of size. We encourage applications from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from around the world.
- Local Presence: All Applicants must use WomenConnect funds to implement a solution in a country with USAID presence. Applicants must either already have a presence in that country or must demonstrate they have a local partner (supporting partnership documentation is required).
- Topical: Solutions must directly relate to the WomenConnect Challenge goals and funding requirements.
- Type: The WomenConnect Challenge is open to registered US or non-US organizations regardless of type (for example: for profit, not-for- profit, civic groups and others). For-profit Applicants must be willing to forego profit per 22 CFR 226.81. Individuals are eligible to apply, though they are required to demonstrate existing partnerships with established organizations (supporting documentation is required and an organization must agree to be the grant signatory).
- Applications must be submitted in English.
- WomenConnect encourages proposals from:
- Diverse groups that have clear, strategic, collaborative models to tackle the complexity of the digital gender divide
- Private sector actors, entrepreneurs, and organizations with market-based solutions and/or clear plans for sustainability beyond the point of award
- Proposals that promote more gender equitable access to and usage of existing digital infrastructure (as opposed to solutions that necessitate new infrastructure)
- Organizations with women in leadership positions
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online via given website.
For more information, please visit WomenConnect Challenge.