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Small Grants Call for Women’s CSOs and Youth CSOs in Turkey

Deadline: 24-Apr-2026

The UN Women Türkiye is offering small grants (USD 2,500–30,000) to strengthen institutional capacity of women’s and youth-focused civil society organizations. Funded by the Government of Norway, the programme supports internal systems, staff training, and limited equipment. The initiative aims to empower CSOs to advance gender equality through stronger advocacy, governance, and organizational effectiveness.

The UN Women Türkiye Small Grants Programme 2026 is designed to build the institutional strength of civil society organizations (CSOs) working on gender equality and youth engagement.

Core Objective

To enhance the capacity, sustainability, and impact of women’s and youth-focused CSOs through targeted institutional support.

Key Programme Details

  • Implementing Agency: UN Women Türkiye
  • Funder: Government of Norway
  • Project Name: Reimagining Gender Equality Across Generations and Communities
  • Grant Size: USD 2,500 – 30,000
  • Duration: Up to 6 months
  • Number of Grants: Approximately 6 awards
  • Budget Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)

Key Focus Areas

The programme prioritizes institutional strengthening, not direct service delivery.

1. Organizational Capacity Development

  • Improve governance structures
  • Strengthen internal systems and workflows

2. Staff Skills and Training

3. Equipment and Infrastructure

  • Purchase of:
    • Laptops
    • Printers
    • Scanners
    • Office tools

Note:

  • Equipment costs must not exceed:
    • 30% of total budget OR
    • USD 5,000 (whichever is lower)

4. Advocacy and Engagement

  • Strengthen grassroots mobilization
  • Enhance public awareness campaigns

5. Intergenerational Dialogue

Key Concept: Institutional Capacity Strengthening

What Does It Mean?

Institutional capacity strengthening refers to improving an organization’s:

  • Internal systems and processes
  • Staff competencies
  • Governance and accountability

Why It Matters

  • Ensures long-term sustainability
  • Improves efficiency and impact
  • Enables stronger advocacy and policy influence

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

  • Women’s civil society organizations (CSOs)
  • CSOs working on gender equality and youth

Mandatory Requirements

  • Legally registered in Türkiye
  • Operational for at least 3 years

Mission Criteria

  • Women’s CSOs:
    • Must focus on gender equality or women’s empowerment
  • Youth CSOs:

What Activities Are Supported?

Eligible Activities

  • Organizational system improvements
  • Staff training and development
  • Strategic planning and governance upgrades
  • Limited procurement of essential equipment

Not Supported

  • Programmatic activities targeting external beneficiaries
  • Direct service delivery projects

Why This Programme Matters

Strengthens Civil Society

  • Builds resilient and effective organizations

Promotes Gender Equality

  • Supports rights-based advocacy

Empowers Youth and Women

Encourages Collaboration

  • Fosters networks and partnerships

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Call for Proposals

  • UN Women invites eligible CSOs

Step 2: Proposal Submission

  • Organizations submit institutional strengthening plans

Step 3: Evaluation Process

  • Based on:
    • Relevance
    • Feasibility
    • Capacity-building impact

Step 4: Grant Award

  • Approximately 6 organizations selected

Step 5: Implementation

  • Activities completed within 6 months

How to Apply

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

  • Ensure legal status and operational history

Step 2: Identify Capacity Gaps

  • Assess organizational needs

Step 3: Develop Proposal

Include:

  • Objectives
  • Activities
  • Budget (in TRY)

Step 4: Align with Programme Goals

  • Focus on institutional strengthening only

Step 5: Submit Application

  • Follow official UN Women guidelines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Proposing external service delivery projects
  • Exceeding equipment cost limits
  • Weak justification of capacity needs
  • Poorly structured budgets
  • Lack of alignment with gender equality focus

Pro Tips for Success

  • Conduct internal capacity assessment
  • Prioritize sustainable improvements
  • Clearly link activities to organizational impact
  • Demonstrate long-term benefits

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the UN Women Türkiye Small Grants Programme?

A funding opportunity to strengthen institutional capacity of CSOs working on gender equality.

2. How much funding is available?

Between USD 2,500 and USD 30,000.

3. Who can apply?

Women’s CSOs and youth-focused CSOs in Türkiye with at least 3 years of operation.

4. Can funds be used for program activities?

No, only institutional strengthening activities are eligible.

5. What is the maximum project duration?

Up to 6 months.

6. Are equipment purchases allowed?

Yes, but limited to 30% of the budget or USD 5,000.

7. How many grants will be awarded?

Approximately six grants.

Conclusion

The UN Women Türkiye Small Grants Programme provides a targeted opportunity to strengthen civil society organizations working on gender equality.

By focusing on institutional capacity, skills development, and strategic growth, the initiative empowers CSOs to become more effective advocates for women’s rights and inclusive social change.

For more information, visit UN Women.