Call for Seed Grant Applications 2026 (Nigeria and Sierra Leone)

The Women Environmental Programme (WEP) has launched the 2026 Seed Grant Program under the WomenPower2030: Feminist Accelerate Actions for Sustainable Development project. The program provides grants of up to EUR 5,000 to women-led and women’s rights organizations in Nigeria and Sierra Leone for projects that strengthen gender equality, climate action, sustainable development, and women’s leadership.

About the Women Environmental Programme Seed Grant Program 2026

The Women Environmental Programme (WEP) is accepting applications for the 2026 Seed Grant Program under the WomenPower2030: Feminist Accelerate Actions for Sustainable Development initiative.

The program supports women-led organizations that are working to advance gender equality, women’s rights, climate justice, sustainable development, and inclusive policymaking. Through small grants, the initiative aims to strengthen the leadership of women and feminist organizations while increasing their influence on policies, governance, and sustainable development initiatives.

The funding is designed to help organizations implement practical, community-based projects that contribute to gender-responsive climate action and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Program Objectives

The Seed Grant Program aims to:

• Strengthen women’s leadership in sustainable development.
• Promote gender-responsive climate action.
• Increase women’s participation in policymaking and governance.
• Support feminist organizations working on environmental sustainability.
• Improve advocacy for gender equality and social inclusion.
• Encourage community-led sustainable development initiatives.
• Build stronger networks among women-led organizations.

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following areas:

• Policy monitoring and dialogue with policymakers.
• Gender-responsive sustainable development advocacy.
• Educational and public awareness campaigns.
• Women’s leadership development.
• Gender-specific training and capacity building.
• Movement building and coalition strengthening.
• Demonstration of equitable and sustainable solutions.
• Climate action initiatives.
• Monitoring SDG implementation.
• Tracking climate policies and public budgets.
• Gender-responsive budgeting.
• Social media awareness campaigns.
• Mainstream media engagement.
• Community mobilization.
• Women’s participation in environmental governance.

Priority Areas

Preference will be given to initiatives that:

• Influence policies benefiting women and girls.
• Demonstrate sustainable and equitable community solutions.
• Promote gender-responsive budgeting.
• Strengthen women’s participation in climate governance.
• Advance feminist approaches to sustainable development.
• Improve accountability in SDG and climate policy implementation.

Funding Information

Successful applicants may receive:

• Grant amount: Up to EUR 5,000 per project.
• Project duration: 3 to 6 months.
• Funding supports implementation of community-based gender equality and sustainable development initiatives.

Eligible Activities

Examples of activities that may receive funding include:

• Policy advocacy campaigns.
• Stakeholder dialogues.
• Community education programs.
• Women’s leadership workshops.
• Climate justice awareness campaigns.
• Sustainable livelihood demonstrations.
• Gender-responsive budgeting initiatives.
• Research and policy tracking.
• SDG monitoring activities.
• Capacity-building sessions.
• Networking events.
• Media campaigns.
• Digital advocacy initiatives.
• Community mobilization programs.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Women-led organizations.
• Women’s rights organizations.
• Feminist civil society organizations.

Organizations must:

• Be based in Nigeria or Sierra Leone.
• Have women representing at least 70% of the management team.
• Be affiliated with the Gender Advocacy Movement for the Environment (GAME) or another national, regional, or global women’s movement or network.
• Demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement projects.
• Have no convictions involving fraud or criminal activity.

Ineligible Applicants

Organizations may not qualify if they:

• Are based outside Nigeria or Sierra Leone.
• Have less than 70% women in their management structure.
• Lack affiliation with an eligible women’s movement or network.
• Cannot demonstrate project implementation capacity.
• Have convictions involving fraud or criminal offences.

Why This Grant Matters

Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by climate change, environmental degradation, and unequal access to decision-making. This Seed Grant Program helps strengthen women’s organizations that are developing practical solutions while advocating for policies that promote equality and sustainable development.

The initiative also supports stronger collaboration among feminist organizations, helping amplify women’s voices in climate policy, environmental governance, and sustainable development planning.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review all eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm that the organization meets the women-led management criteria.
3. Develop a project aligned with the program priorities.
4. Prepare a realistic implementation plan for a period of three to six months.
5. Demonstrate expected outcomes and community impact.
6. Provide evidence of affiliation with GAME or another recognized women’s movement or network.
7. Submit the completed application before the deadline following the official application instructions.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly explain the community problem being addressed.
• Show how the project benefits women and marginalized groups.
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes.
• Include realistic timelines and budgets.
• Explain how the project supports sustainable development goals.
• Highlight previous organizational experience.
• Show collaboration with relevant stakeholders where appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects unrelated to gender equality or sustainable development.
• Providing unclear objectives or expected outcomes.
• Preparing unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity.
• Omitting required supporting information.
• Not showing policy or community impact.
• Ignoring eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the WEP Seed Grant Program?

Women-led and women’s rights organizations based in Nigeria or Sierra Leone that meet the eligibility requirements.

How much funding is available?

Each selected project can receive up to EUR 5,000.

How long can projects run?

Projects should be implemented within three to six months.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects focusing on women’s leadership, climate action, policy advocacy, sustainable development, gender-responsive budgeting, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.

Is affiliation with a women’s network required?

Yes. Applicants should be affiliated with the Gender Advocacy Movement for the Environment (GAME) or another recognized national, regional, or global women’s movement or network.

Can newly established organizations apply?

Organizations should demonstrate sufficient capacity to successfully implement the proposed project and meet all eligibility requirements.

What outcomes does the program seek?

The program seeks stronger women’s leadership, improved gender-responsive policies, enhanced climate action, greater community participation, and sustainable development outcomes.

Conclusion

The Women Environmental Programme Seed Grant Program 2026 provides an important opportunity for women-led organizations in Nigeria and Sierra Leone to implement impactful projects that advance gender equality, climate justice, women’s leadership, and sustainable development. With grants of up to EUR 5,000, the initiative supports grassroots innovation, policy engagement, and community-driven solutions that contribute to more inclusive and sustainable societies.