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The EmpowHER Fund for an HIV Free Future for Women and Girls

Deadline: 02-Dec-2025

Aidsfonds’ EmpowHER Fund invites women- and girls-led organisations in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique to apply for funding to expand HIV-prevention access. With €4,000,000 available for projects running from April 2026 to December 2028, the initiative emphasizes feminist leadership, community-driven action, and innovative approaches to improving prevention choices for women and girls.

H1: About the EmpowHER Fund Call

The Aidsfonds EmpowHER Fund is designed to support women- and girls-led organisations that are deeply rooted in their communities and committed to advancing HIV-prevention. This initiative prioritizes locally grounded projects that:

  • Expand access to current and emerging HIV-prevention methods.

  • Strengthen feminist leadership and advocacy at community, national, and regional levels.

  • Deliver tangible improvements in HIV-prevention uptake and informed choice.

The first call offers €4,000,000 in total funding for projects from April 2026 to December 2028.

H2: Funding Details

  • Individual Organisations: €50,000–€200,000 per year.

  • Consortia: €150,000–€300,000 per year.

  • Project Duration: April 2026 – December 2028.

  • Subgranting: Permitted if clearly aligned with project strategy.
    Budgets must align with designated outcome areas and follow a calendar-year structure.

H2: Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Registered locally or regionally in one of the target countries.

  • Led by women or girls, with governance guided by feminist principles.

  • Proven experience in HIV-prevention advocacy or women’s sexual and reproductive health rights.

  • Demonstrated engagement with government and health systems.

  • Core applicant must be a community-led civil society organisation; collaborators like research institutes or media organisations may serve as service providers.

  • Budget requests must represent 30%–50% of the organisation’s annual budget.

  • Applications must be submitted through the Aidsfonds online system in English or Portuguese.

  • Each organisation may apply only once.

H2: Why This Matters

HIV remains a critical public health concern in Southern and Eastern Africa, disproportionately affecting women and girls. The EmpowHER Fund supports interventions that:

  • Address access gaps in HIV-prevention services.

  • Strengthen community leadership and advocacy.

  • Enable informed choice and autonomy in prevention methods.

  • Align with upcoming prevention tools such as Lenacapavir, the dual prevention pill, Dapivirine vaginal ring, daily oral PrEP, and injectable cabotegravir.

H2: Key Outcome Areas

Successful projects will focus on one or more of the following outcomes:

  1. Expanding Prevention Options: Increase access to a range of biomedical and behavioral HIV-prevention methods.

  2. Community-Led Awareness: Promote knowledge, dismantle stigma, and empower women and girls to make informed decisions.

  3. Policy and Advocacy: Strengthen guidelines, budgets, and accountability mechanisms to support prevention access.

  4. Feminist Leadership: Build capacity among women- and girls-led groups for regional learning and advocacy.

  5. Evidence-Based Action: Capture community experiences to inform future HIV-prevention strategies.

H2: How to Apply

  1. Register Online: Complete the application via the Aidsfonds online platform in English or Portuguese.

  2. Define Your Proposal: Clearly articulate how the project addresses prevention gaps, aligns with feminist principles, and responds to community needs.

  3. Budget Planning: Ensure funding request aligns with the organisation’s annual budget (30%–50%) and includes a clear calendar-year breakdown.

  4. Include Collaborators (if needed): Subgranting or partnerships with research, media, or health organisations should align with project strategy.

  5. Submit Once: Each organisation may only submit one application.

H2: Tips for a Strong Application

  • Demonstrate deep understanding of local HIV-prevention landscapes.

  • Align proposals with ongoing government or donor initiatives to avoid duplication.

  • Highlight innovative approaches and collaborative models.

  • Emphasize measurable outcomes and community-driven impact.

  • Showcase feminist leadership and empowerment strategies.

H2: FAQ

Q1: Which countries are eligible for funding?
A: South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique.

Q2: Can consortia apply for funding?
A: Yes, consortia may request €150,000–€300,000 per year.

Q3: Are male-led organisations eligible?
A: No, the core applicant must be women- or girls-led.

Q4: What HIV-prevention methods are supported?
A: Both existing and emerging options, including daily oral PrEP, Dapivirine vaginal ring, injectable cabotegravir, Lenacapavir, and the dual prevention pill.

Q5: Can subgranting be used?
A: Yes, but only if clearly aligned with the project strategy.

Q6: Is experience with government engagement required?
A: Yes, applicants must demonstrate prior engagement with health systems or government bodies.

Q7: Can an organisation submit multiple applications?
A: No, each organisation may only submit one application.

H2: Conclusion

The Aidsfonds EmpowHER Fund presents a transformative opportunity for women- and girls-led organisations to expand HIV-prevention access across Southern and Eastern Africa. By centering feminist leadership, community-driven insights, and innovative strategies, this initiative aims to create lasting, meaningful change in the health and empowerment of women and girls.

For more information, visit Aidsfonds.