Applications open for East African Girls and Young Feminist Fund

Deadline: 28-Feb-2026

The East African Girls and Young Feminist Fund (EAGYFF) 2026–2027 Call for Applications provides unrestricted grants ranging from USD 1,000 to 7,500 to girl-led and young feminist collectives in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The fund supports grassroots, community-responsive initiatives that advance feminist futures and movement-building. Both registered and unregistered groups of girls and young women aged 15–35 are eligible to apply.

The East African Girls and Young Feminist Fund (EAGYFF) is a feminist funding initiative under CivFund.

It is designed to resource grassroots, girl-led, and young feminist-led initiatives in East Africa. The fund centers autonomy, flexibility, and movement-building rather than rigid project frameworks.

The 2026–2027 funding cycle supports initiatives operating in:

• Uganda

• Kenya

• Tanzania

The goal is to strengthen feminist organizing by resourcing ideas developed directly by girls and young feminists in response to their communities’ needs.

Core Objectives of the Fund

The fund prioritizes:

• Community-responsive feminist ideas

• Grassroots movement-building

• Strengthening feminist ecosystems

• Supporting experimentation and learning

• Accompanying girls and young feminists on their own terms

• Providing unrestricted funding

• Offering potential multi-year support (for previously funded groups)

The approach emphasizes trust-based philanthropy and flexibility.

What Does “Unrestricted Funding” Mean?

Unrestricted funding allows groups to decide how to allocate funds based on their evolving needs.

This may include:

• Operational costs

• Program activities

• Community mobilization

• Capacity strengthening

• Administrative expenses

• Safety and well-being support

Unlike project-specific grants, unrestricted funding supports organizational sustainability and autonomy.

Grant Categories and Funding Amounts

Funding levels depend on the stage of the initiative.

1. Emerging Initiatives

For new ideas, initiatives, or organizations that:

• Have not received institutional funding before

• Are in early development stages

Grant range: USD 1,000 – 3,000

2. Mid-Level Initiatives

For groups that:

• Have some structure

• Have implementation experience

• Show evidence of prior activities

Grant range: USD 3,000 – 5,000

3. Established Initiatives

For groups that:

• Have more than three years of experience

• Have functioning organizational structures

Grant range: USD 5,000 – 7,500

Multi-year funding is only available to groups that have previously received support from the fund.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Geographic Eligibility

• Operating in Uganda, Kenya, or Tanzania

Leadership Requirements

• Girl-led or young feminist-led

• Collective leadership structure

• Minimum of five members

Age Criteria

• Members aged 15–35 years

• Serving girls and young women within the same age range

Organizational Status

• Registered or unregistered groups

• Formal or informal collectives

• Grassroots initiatives

• May operate within a broader NGO or CBO program, provided leadership remains girl- or young feminist-led

Organizational Age

• Groups must have existed between zero and three years

The fund prioritizes grassroots organizing over institutional size.

What Types of Initiatives Are Supported?

The fund supports ideas that:

• Address local feminist issues

• Strengthen collective organizing

• Promote rights and justice

• Advance feminist futures

• Encourage community-led solutions

• Create safe spaces for girls and young women

• Support advocacy, creativity, or economic empowerment

The initiative must clearly respond to community needs.

Why This Fund Matters

Girls and young feminists often face structural barriers such as:

• Limited access to funding

• Age-based exclusion from leadership spaces

• Restricted decision-making power

• Limited autonomy within larger organizations

EAGYFF addresses these gaps by:

• Directly resourcing young feminist leadership

• Providing flexible, trust-based funding

• Supporting grassroots experimentation

• Strengthening feminist movements in East Africa

This model contributes to sustainable, locally driven feminist ecosystems.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your group:

• Operates in Uganda, Kenya, or Tanzania

• Is girl-led or young feminist-led

• Has at least five members

• Meets age requirements

Step 2: Identify Your Funding Category

Determine whether your initiative is:

• Emerging

• Mid-level

• Established

Apply within the appropriate funding range.

Step 3: Prepare Your Proposal

Clearly describe:

• Your community issue

• Your feminist approach

• Planned activities

• How the grant will strengthen your work

• Expected impact

Highlight grassroots leadership and community connection.

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit your proposal through the official EAGYFF application channel within the announced timeline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying as an adult-led organization

• Failing to demonstrate collective leadership

• Submitting proposals without clear community relevance

• Overstating organizational maturity

• Not aligning with feminist movement-building values

Authenticity and grassroots grounding are key evaluation factors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can unregistered groups apply?

Yes. Both registered and unregistered grassroots groups are eligible.

2. Is the funding restricted to specific activities?

No. Grants are unrestricted, allowing flexibility in use.

3. Can individuals apply?

No. Applications must come from collectives of at least five girls or young women.

4. Are groups older than three years eligible?

Groups applying under the main eligibility criteria must have existed between zero and three years. Established initiatives with more than three years of experience can apply under the higher funding tier if they meet the structural requirements.

5. Is multi-year funding available?

Multi-year grants are available only to groups previously supported by the fund.

6. What age range qualifies as “young feminists”?

Members must be between 15 and 35 years old.

7. Can initiatives within larger NGOs apply?

Yes, as long as the initiative is implemented and led by girls or young feminists.

Final Takeaway

The East African Girls and Young Feminist Fund 2026–2027 provides flexible, unrestricted grants to grassroots, girl-led, and young feminist-led initiatives in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

By prioritizing autonomy, community responsiveness, and movement-building, the fund strengthens feminist organizing at the grassroots level.

For collectives ready to test, grow, and deepen their impact, this opportunity offers both financial support and a platform for collective feminist futures in East Africa.

For more information, visit CivFund.