RFAs: Small Grants for Women, Peace and Security (Sri Lanka)

Deadline: 16-Jul-2026

UN Women Sri Lanka’s Small Grants Programme provides grants of up to USD 7,000 to strengthen the institutional capacity of women-led civil society organizations (CSOs) and CSOs working on gender equality. The programme supports organizations advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda by improving internal systems, staff capacity, and organizational sustainability rather than funding standalone projects.

UN Women Sri Lanka Small Grants Programme for Women, Peace and Security Organizations

What is the UN Women Sri Lanka Small Grants Programme?

The UN Women Sri Lanka Small Grants Programme is a capacity-building funding initiative designed to strengthen women-led civil society organizations (CSOs) and organizations promoting gender equality across Sri Lanka.

Rather than financing individual thematic projects, the programme focuses on helping organizations improve their institutional capacity, governance, operational systems, staff skills, and long-term sustainability so they can more effectively advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.

The initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023–2027) and supports priorities identified in the CEDAW Committee’s Concluding Observations on Sri Lanka’s ninth periodic report.

Funding Overview

UN Women will award approximately five grants, subject to available funding and the quality of applications.

Funding details include:

• Maximum grant amount: USD 7,000
• Project duration: 12 months
• Expected number of grants: Approximately 5
• Equipment purchases cannot exceed:
  • 30% of the total grant budget, or
  • USD 5,000, whichever is lower.

UN Women funding limits also include:

• Maximum USD 30,000 per organization within a 12-month period.
• Lifetime maximum of USD 60,000 across all UN Women offices.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen institutional capacity.
• Improve organizational sustainability.
• Support implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.
• Enhance staff technical and management skills.
• Improve governance and internal systems.
• Strengthen operational effectiveness.
• Promote gender equality.
• Support organizations working with women and communities affected by conflict and inequality.

Priority Areas

Applicants should work in one or more Women, Peace and Security priority areas.

Post-Conflict Reconciliation

Eligible work includes:

• Peacebuilding initiatives.
• Community reconciliation.
• Social cohesion programmes.
• Women’s participation in peace processes.

Climate Security

Projects may focus on:

• Climate-related security risks.
• Community resilience.
• Environmental peacebuilding.
• Climate adaptation strategies.

Climate Justice and Peacebuilding

Supported activities include:

• Gender-responsive climate action.
• Climate justice advocacy.
• Peacebuilding linked to environmental resilience.

Feminist Responses to Economic Insecurity

Organizations may address:

• Women’s economic empowerment.
• Livelihood resilience.
• Economic justice.
• Gender-responsive recovery initiatives.

Legal and Policy Advocacy

Applicants may support:

• Implementation of the CEDAW Committee’s recommendations.
• Women’s legal rights.
• Policy reform.
• Implementation of Sri Lanka’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023–2027).

Eligible Activities

Grant funding may be used to:

• Strengthen organizational systems and processes.
• Improve governance structures.
• Build staff technical skills.
• Provide management and leadership training.
• Develop institutional tools and policies.
• Improve financial and administrative systems.
• Purchase essential office equipment.

Eligible equipment includes:

• Laptops.
• Desktop computers.
• Printers.
• Scanners.
• Copiers.

Equipment costs must remain within the programme’s allowable limits.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be legally registered civil society organizations in Sri Lanka.
• Have operated for at least three years.
• Be women-led organizations or organizations whose primary mission promotes gender equality.
• Work in one or more Women, Peace and Security priority areas.
• Demonstrate sound organizational and financial management capacity.

Women-led organizations are those where women comprise the majority of leadership or governing bodies.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following organizations are not eligible:

• Government institutions.
• United Nations organizations.
• Current UN Women Implementing Partners.
• Recent UN Women Responsible Parties.
• Organizations that fail to meet registration or operational requirements.

Why This Grant Matters

Strong institutions are essential for advancing gender equality and sustaining peace.

This programme helps organizations:

• Build long-term organizational resilience.
• Improve institutional effectiveness.
• Strengthen women’s leadership.
• Support peacebuilding.
• Promote gender-responsive governance.
• Increase organizational sustainability.
• Improve services for women and marginalized communities.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the following steps:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Confirm that the organization:

• Is legally registered.
• Has operated for at least three years.
• Meets the women-led or gender equality mission requirement.

Step 2: Assess Organizational Needs

Identify institutional capacity gaps such as:

• Governance.
• Staff skills.
• Financial systems.
• Operational processes.
• Equipment needs.

Step 3: Develop a Capacity-Building Plan

Prepare a proposal explaining how grant funding will strengthen the organization’s long-term effectiveness.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic budget that complies with equipment spending limits.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the application and include all required organizational documentation.

Step 6: Await Evaluation

Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility, organizational capacity, and the proposed institutional strengthening activities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Focus on institutional strengthening rather than project delivery.
• Clearly explain organizational capacity gaps.
• Demonstrate long-term sustainability.
• Present realistic training and capacity-building activities.
• Provide strong governance and financial information.
• Show alignment with Women, Peace and Security priorities.
• Prepare a clear and well-justified budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Submitting proposals focused mainly on programme implementation instead of institutional capacity.
• Exceeding equipment budget limits.
• Providing incomplete organizational documentation.
• Failing to demonstrate financial management capacity.
• Submitting unrealistic budgets.
• Ignoring Women, Peace and Security priorities.
• Applying despite ineligible organizational status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the UN Women Sri Lanka Small Grants Programme?

It is a capacity-building grant programme that supports women-led civil society organizations and organizations promoting gender equality by strengthening their institutional capacity to advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

2. How much funding is available?

Organizations may receive grants of up to USD 7,000 for a 12-month implementation period.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are legally registered civil society organizations operating in Sri Lanka for at least three years that are either women-led or have a core mission focused on gender equality and work in Women, Peace and Security priority areas.

4. What activities can the grant fund?

Funding supports institutional strengthening activities, including staff training, governance improvements, operational systems, financial management, organizational tools, and essential office equipment within the programme’s spending limits.

5. Can organizations purchase equipment?

Yes. Organizations may purchase essential office equipment such as laptops, computers, printers, scanners, and copiers. However, equipment costs cannot exceed 30% of the total grant budget or USD 5,000, whichever is lower.

6. Who is not eligible?

Government agencies, United Nations organizations, current or recent UN Women Implementing Partners or Responsible Parties, and organizations that fail to meet the eligibility requirements are not eligible.

7. Why is this programme important?

The programme strengthens organizations that promote gender equality, women’s leadership, peacebuilding, and institutional resilience, enabling them to deliver sustainable, long-term impact in support of Sri Lanka’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Conclusion

The UN Women Sri Lanka Small Grants Programme provides an important opportunity for women-led civil society organizations and gender equality organizations to strengthen their institutional capacity and long-term sustainability. By offering grants of up to USD 7,000 for governance improvements, staff development, organizational systems, and essential operational resources, the programme supports stronger institutions capable of advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and promoting inclusive peace, gender equality, and resilience across Sri Lanka. Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit well-planned proposals focused on lasting organizational development.

For more information, visit UN Women.