FIMI’s Ayni Fund for Indigenous Women’s Organizations

Deadline: 30-Jun-2026

The International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) has launched the 2026 Call for Proposals under the Ayni Fund to support Indigenous Women’s organizations, communities, associations, groups, and networks working to advance the rights, leadership, and well-being of Indigenous Women worldwide. The fund provides both financial support and technical accompaniment to strengthen Indigenous Women-led initiatives and promote the full exercise of their individual and collective rights.

Through small and medium grants, the Ayni Fund supports projects focused on economic empowerment, land and territorial rights, climate resilience, violence prevention, political participation, health, cultural preservation, and organizational strengthening.

About the Ayni Fund

The Ayni Fund is a global funding mechanism created to support Indigenous Women-led organizations and movements. Beyond grantmaking, the fund provides technical accompaniment and capacity-strengthening support to help organizations increase their impact, sustainability, and leadership.

The programme seeks to strengthen Indigenous Women’s participation in decision-making processes at community, national, regional, and international levels while advancing human rights, self-determination, and collective well-being.

Programme Objectives

The fund aims to:

• Strengthen Indigenous Women’s organizations and networks
• Promote economic autonomy and empowerment
• Advance Indigenous Women’s rights and leadership
• Support advocacy and political participation
• Protect land, territories, and natural resources
• Strengthen climate resilience and disaster preparedness
• Prevent violence against Indigenous Women and Girls
• Promote health, well-being, and care systems
• Preserve Indigenous cultures, knowledge, and traditions
• Support organizational sustainability and development

Projects should demonstrate clear benefits for Indigenous Women and their communities.

Priority Thematic Areas

Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Women

The fund supports initiatives that strengthen economic opportunities and livelihoods.

Eligible activities may include:

• Income-generation initiatives
• Entrepreneurship programmes
• Economic leadership development
• Skills training
• Community enterprises
• Financial empowerment activities

Projects should contribute to greater economic autonomy and sustainability.

Land and Territorial Rights

Funding is available for initiatives that protect and strengthen Indigenous rights to land and natural resources.

Activities may include:

• Land rights advocacy
• Territorial governance initiatives
• Community resource management
• Legal awareness activities
• Protection of ancestral territories
• Capacity-building related to territorial rights

Projects should contribute to the recognition and protection of Indigenous territories.

Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction

The programme supports community-led responses to environmental challenges.

Eligible initiatives may focus on:

• Climate resilience strategies
• Community adaptation measures
• Disaster risk reduction
• Environmental protection
• Indigenous climate solutions
• Sustainable resource management

Projects should strengthen community resilience to climate-related impacts.

Prevention of Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls

A key priority of the fund is addressing all forms of violence affecting Indigenous Women and Girls.

Supported activities may include:

• Prevention campaigns
• Community awareness programmes
• Advocacy initiatives
• Support services
• Rights education
• Community protection mechanisms

Projects should contribute to safer and more equitable environments.

Political Participation and Advocacy

The fund supports efforts that strengthen Indigenous Women’s leadership and representation.

Examples include:

• Leadership development programmes
• Advocacy campaigns
• Civic participation initiatives
• Representation in decision-making processes
• Policy engagement activities
• Rights-based organizing

Projects should promote meaningful participation at multiple levels.

Holistic Health and Well-Being

Funding is available for initiatives that improve physical, emotional, social, and cultural well-being.

Activities may include:

• Community health programmes
• Traditional healing initiatives
• Mental health support
• Wellness activities
• Care systems development
• Health rights advocacy

Projects should adopt a holistic approach to well-being.

Indigenous Wisdom, Culture, Art and Sports

The programme recognizes the importance of cultural preservation and identity.

Supported initiatives may include:

• Cultural revitalization projects
• Indigenous knowledge preservation
• Traditional arts programmes
• Cultural education activities
• Sports initiatives
• Intergenerational knowledge exchange

Projects should strengthen Indigenous identity and cultural continuity.

Organizational Strengthening Activities

In addition to thematic projects, the fund supports activities that strengthen organizations and networks.

Eligible activities include:

• Capacity-building initiatives
• Technical accompaniment
• Strategic planning
• Communication activities
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Resource mobilization
• Network coordination
• Knowledge-sharing processes
• Organizational development activities

These activities must be directly linked to the programme’s thematic priorities.

Grant Categories

The Ayni Fund offers two levels of financial support.

Small Grants

Small grants are intended for grassroots and community-based initiatives.

Funding details include:

• From USD 5,000 to less than USD 20,000
• Project duration of 12 to 18 months
• Designed for local and community-level initiatives

These grants support emerging and grassroots organizations working directly with Indigenous Women.

Medium Grants

Medium grants support larger-scale initiatives with broader reach.

Funding details include:

• From USD 25,000 to less than USD 50,000
• Project duration of 12 to 18 months
• Intended for organizations with substantial implementation experience
• Suitable for national or regional initiatives

Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to manage larger projects effectively.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to Indigenous Women-led entities worldwide.

Eligible applicants include:

• Indigenous Women’s organizations
• Indigenous communities
• Indigenous peoples’ organizations
• Indigenous Women’s associations
• Indigenous Women’s groups
• Indigenous Women’s networks

Organizations must demonstrate leadership by Indigenous Women.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be led by Indigenous Women
• Work to improve the rights and well-being of Indigenous Women
• Demonstrate organizational capacity to implement the proposed project
• Have a bank account in the organization’s name or access funding through an eligible fiscal sponsor
• Comply with programme requirements

The 2026 call primarily prioritizes organizations that have not previously received support from the Ayni Fund.

Mixed Organizations

Mixed organizations may also apply if they meet specific requirements.

They must:

• Have Indigenous Women occupying at least half of key decision-making positions
• Have Indigenous Women occupying at least half of implementation positions
• Demonstrate that the project directly benefits Indigenous Women and their rights

Applications that do not meet these conditions may not be considered eligible.

Registration Requirements

Organizations must be:

• Legally registered according to community norms and/or national legislation
• Able to manage grant funds responsibly

Organizations without legal registration may still apply through a fiscal sponsor.

Fiscal Sponsorship Option

Unregistered organizations may participate if they:

• Partner with a legally registered organization
• Establish a formal agreement with the fiscal sponsor
• Ensure the sponsor is willing to assume administrative and financial responsibilities

This option helps expand access to funding for grassroots and community-based groups.

Why This Fund Matters

Indigenous Women play a critical role in protecting cultures, territories, ecosystems, and community well-being. However, many Indigenous Women’s organizations face barriers to accessing resources and decision-making spaces.

The Ayni Fund helps:

• Strengthen Indigenous Women’s leadership
• Advance human rights and self-determination
• Support economic independence
• Promote climate resilience
• Protect land and territorial rights
• Address violence and discrimination
• Preserve Indigenous knowledge and culture
• Strengthen grassroots movements and networks

By investing directly in Indigenous Women-led initiatives, the fund supports sustainable and community-driven change.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can apply to the Ayni Fund 2026?
  Indigenous Women’s organizations, communities, groups, associations, peoples, and networks led by Indigenous Women.
• How much funding is available?
  Small grants range from USD 5,000 to less than USD 20,000, while medium grants range from USD 25,000 to less than USD 50,000.
• How long can projects last?
  Projects may be implemented over a period of 12 to 18 months.
• Can organizations without legal registration apply?
  Yes. They may apply through a legally registered fiscal sponsor willing to assume administrative responsibilities.
• Are mixed organizations eligible?
  Yes, provided Indigenous Women hold at least half of key decision-making and implementation positions and the project directly benefits Indigenous Women.
• Does the fund provide support beyond grants?
  Yes. The Ayni Fund also offers technical accompaniment and organizational strengthening support.
• Who is prioritized in the 2026 call?
  Priority is given to organizations that have not previously received support from the Ayni Fund.

Conclusion

The Ayni Fund 2026 Call for Proposals provides an important opportunity for Indigenous Women-led organizations worldwide to access funding and technical support for initiatives that strengthen rights, leadership, economic empowerment, cultural preservation, health, climate resilience, and advocacy. With grants of up to USD 50,000 and a strong focus on organizational development, the programme helps Indigenous Women advance meaningful and lasting change within their communities and beyond.

For more information, visit FIMI.