Applications open for Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (Ethiopia)

Deadline: 21-Apr-2026

The WPHF invites proposals from local women-, young women-, and civil society organizations in Ethiopia to strengthen humanitarian access, protection, and institutional capacity. Funding streams range from $2,500–$200,000, supporting gender-responsive, life-saving interventions and organizational development in conflict-affected regions.

Overview of the Call

The Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) supports civil society organizations working on peacebuilding, recovery, humanitarian response, protection, and institutional strengthening for women- and young women-led organizations in Ethiopia. The initiative prioritizes gender-responsive, inclusive, and life-saving services in crisis and conflict settings, while promoting women’s rights and organizational sustainability.

Funding Streams and Amounts

1. Programmatic Funding

   • Amount: US$30,000–$200,000

   • Purpose: Finance programmatic activities improving access for women and girls to humanitarian services, protection, and rights in conflict and crisis contexts.

2. Institutional Funding

   • Amount: US$2,500–$30,000

   • Purpose: Strengthen institutional capacity of women’s rights and women-led organizations to sustain operations and improve implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

Eligible Regions

Projects must be implemented in Ethiopia, specifically in:

• Afar

• Amhara

• Gambela

• Oromia

• Somali

• Tigray
  Multi-country proposals or projects outside these regions will not be considered.

Eligible Applicants

• Women-led organizations: Headed by a woman serving as director or head.

• Young women-led organizations: Headed by a young person (18–29) serving as director or head.

• Women’s rights/feminist organizations: Gender equality and women’s rights central to mission, with experience addressing intersecting discrimination.

• Youth-focused organizations: Core mission supports social, economic, and political participation of young women and men.

• Civil society organizations: National, regional, local, or grassroots groups with proven experience supporting women, young women, and girls.
  Organizations led by individuals facing intersecting forms of discrimination (displaced persons, people living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Objectives

• Enhance access of women and girls to inclusive, local, gender-responsive, and life-saving humanitarian services.

• Improve protection and rights of women and girls in conflict and crisis settings.

• Reinforce institutional capacity of women- and young women-led organizations to implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

• Contribute to peaceful, safe, and equal societies through local women-led and feminist initiatives.

Project Requirements

• Maximum project duration: 24 months.

• Must demonstrate direct, measurable impact for women and girls.

• Applicants must show willingness and capacity to sustain activities beyond funding period.

• Clear description of implementing agency and/or beneficiary contributions in the budget, including labor or in-kind support.

Why This Programme Matters

• Supports gender-responsive humanitarian action in conflict-affected regions.

• Promotes women’s leadership and organizational sustainability.

• Encourages locally driven, inclusive interventions for vulnerable populations.

• Advances the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Ethiopia.

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility based on organization type, leadership, and regional focus.

2. Develop a project aligned with programmatic or institutional funding objectives.

3. Prepare a detailed proposal demonstrating impact, sustainability, and organizational contribution.

4. Submit the application via the WPHF portal before the deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects outside the eligible Ethiopian regions.

• Submitting multi-country proposals.

• Ignoring sustainability beyond the grant period.

• Failing to show organizational capacity or women/young women leadership.

• Submitting projects unrelated to humanitarian access, protection, or rights of women and girls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply? Local, national, or regional women-, young women-, feminist, youth-focused, or civil society organizations in Ethiopia.
2. What are the funding ranges? Programmatic funding: $30,000–$200,000; Institutional funding: $2,500–$30,000.
3. Which regions are eligible? Afar, Amhara, Gambela, Oromia, Somali, and Tigray.
4. What is the maximum project duration? 24 months.
5. Are multi-country proposals eligible? No.
6. Who qualifies as women-led or young women-led? Headed by a woman (women-led) or person aged 18–29 (young women-led) serving as director or head.
7. What activities are supported? Peacebuilding, recovery, humanitarian response, protection, and institutional strengthening aligned with women’s rights and security.

Conclusion

The WPHF 2026 Ethiopia call empowers local women- and young women-led organizations to enhance humanitarian access, protection, and institutional capacity in conflict-affected regions. By funding both programmatic and institutional development, the initiative fosters gender-responsive, locally led interventions that advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and promote safer, more equal societies.

For more information, visit UN Women.