Deadline: 27-Mar-2026
UN Women is inviting women-led and women-focused civil society organizations in Sierra Leone to apply for a funding opportunity supporting gender-responsive local governance and inclusive service delivery. Eligible local CSOs working in Bonthe, Moyamba, Kambia, Port Loko, and Western Rural can submit proposals with a budget of up to USD 100,000.
About the Opportunity
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has launched a Call for Proposals for women-led and women-focused civil society organizations in Sierra Leone.
The initiative aims to strengthen gender-responsive local governance, improve inclusive service delivery, and increase the participation of women, youth, and girls, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups, in local governance and development processes.
Key Focus Areas
The project supports:
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Gender-responsive local governance
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Inclusive service delivery
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Women’s leadership and participation
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Awareness of gender laws
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Community engagement with local councils
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Gender equality-focused development programming
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Equal access to services, resources, and opportunities
Target Districts
Selected organizations will work in:
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Bonthe
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Moyamba
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Kambia
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Port Loko
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Western Rural
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must be:
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Local women-led organizations or women’s rights organizations
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Legally registered in Sierra Leone
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Have an active bank account
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Have a strong local presence in one or more target districts
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Have qualified staff and established governance structures
Required Experience
Organizations should have experience in the last five years in areas such as:
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Supporting local councils
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Community governance engagement
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Women’s leadership initiatives
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Ending violence against women and girls
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Awareness of gender laws
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Gender equality and development programmes
Who Cannot Apply?
The following are not eligible:
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Organizations without legal status in Sierra Leone
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Entities on the UN Security Council sanctions list
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Organizations under investigation for fraud, corruption, sexual abuse, or exploitation
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Government institutions
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UN agencies
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Private individuals
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Private sector entities
Funding Information
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Maximum proposal budget: USD 100,000 or less
Why This Matters
Women-led CSOs are important because they are closely connected to communities, can mobilize grassroots participation, and help ensure local governance systems are more inclusive, accountable, and responsive to women and girls.
How to Apply
Although the provided text does not include a deadline or direct application link, interested organizations should prepare:
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Legal registration documents
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Organizational profile
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Proof of women-led or women-focused mandate
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Bank account details
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Evidence of district-level presence
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Relevant experience from the last five years
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A project proposal aligned with governance and gender equality goals
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A budget of USD 100,000 or less
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Applying without legal registration
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Not proving women-led or women-focused status
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Ignoring target district presence
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Submitting a generic proposal
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Exceeding the USD 100,000 budget ceiling
FAQs
Who can apply for this UN Women call?
Local women-led or women-focused civil society organizations legally registered in Sierra Leone.
Which districts are covered?
The project targets Bonthe, Moyamba, Kambia, Port Loko, and Western Rural.
What is the maximum budget?
The total proposal budget should be USD 100,000 or less.
What experience is required?
Applicants should have relevant experience in local governance, women’s leadership, gender equality, community engagement, or ending violence against women and girls.
Can private companies apply?
No. Private sector entities and private individuals are not eligible.
Conclusion
The UN Women Sierra Leone Call for Proposals is a strong funding opportunity for women-led and women-focused CSOs working on gender equality, local governance, and inclusive service delivery.
For more information, visit UN Women.