Deadline: 28-Mar-23
The Embassy of France aims to encourage the strengthening of civil societies in Ghana through the “Dwabo” Small Grants Programme in order to enable stronger policy advocacy and increase stakeholder engagement.
For its fourth edition, the “Dwabo” small grants programme will be dedicated to “sexual and reproductive health and rights of women”. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have a recognized role in social change and political dialogue and increasingly, CSOs are demanding to be more actively included in policy-making processes, including those at a national, sub-regional and local level.
Aims
- The aim of this call is to support innovative projects, especially in under deprived areas, bringing together a multiplicity of actors (CSOs, institutions, private sectors, federations, etc.).
- In this light, the French Embassy in Ghana is seeking high quality project proposals that seek highlight the relevance of sexual and reproductive health rights in Ghanaian society. The projects will aim at:
- Guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights for women, girls and vulnerable communities to ensure that they can enjoy the right to dispose of their bodies,
- Improving access to appropriate sexual and reproductive health services (birth control, choice of spouse, family planning, etc.),
- Promoting free and equal access of women, girls and vulnerable communities to rights and justice and protection from all forms of violence,
- Advocating for the adoption of laws and policies that guarantee equality and non-discrimination,
- Promoting and implementing measures to improve gender equity, empowerment of women, promotion of woman’s rights,
- Sensitizing and advocating against early marriage and/or teenage pregnancy that prevent teenagers from attending school,
- Promoting sustainable change in social habits and more favourable laws for girls, especially young girls in vulnerable situations (comprehensive sexuality education, etc.).
- The Embassy encourages the submission of proposals on awareness-raising, capacity-building and actions by CSOs in Ghana. Multi-action projects, including public democratic debate or public engagement, will be preferred to one-off projects.
Funding Information
- Each successful project will be supported with a grant ranging from € 10 000 to € 15 000 for a duration of 12 months for project implementation.
What Kinds of Proposals are Expected?
- Proposals should clearly defined context, objectives, beneficiaries and indicators of monitoring and evaluation that address the current identified sectors. These proposals should go beyond purely descriptive research or status reports but must present actionable plans and propose innovative and feasible solutions or tools which can be implemented directly at the local level.
- A co-financing from the project holder is expected (10% minimum).
- The running costs of the project should not exceed 8% of the total budget.
- Sitting allowances and honorarium will not be accepted.
- Projects benefiting from co-financing with other partners (NGOs, private sector, local authorities, other donors, etc.) will be favoured.
- Coalition of different CSOs is welcomed but only one NGO among the coalition will receive the grant.
- The selection committee will give preference to most disadvantaged regions, particularly but not limited to those in the northern part of Ghana.
- Projects will have to implement a gender approach, in all its dimensions and at all levels. Whether in terms of project beneficiaries and capacity building actions, staff of the organisation, or involvement in the implementation of actions, projects should include gender indicators and candidates should provide proof of this consideration and mastery of the concept.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any Civil Society Organization (CSO) legally registered to operate in Ghana can apply.
- Conditions for CSOs:
- CSOs that are legally registered and recognized in Ghana;
- CSOs that are affiliated to known coalitions and networks;
- CSOs with offices in the regions, and especially in the districts where they plan to implement the project. Credible national CSOs may also collaborate with local CSOs located within their preferred project districts to apply for a project.
Ineligible
- Actions concerned only or mainly with individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences and congresses;
- Actions concerned only with organisation of workshops, seminars, conferences and congresses;
- Actions concerned only or mainly with individual scholarships for studies or training courses;
- Actions in the formal education sector, except in special circumstances;
- Equipment costs beyond 7% of the total budget;
- Actions supporting political parties;
- Actions which include religious proselytism;
- Actions which discriminate against individuals or groups of people on grounds of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or lack of them, or their ethnic origin;
- Actions which are in conflict with constitutional provisions.
For more information, visit Embassy of France in Ghana.