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Call for Projects: Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online Initiative

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Open Call: Building a Community of Practice for Women in Strategic Trade

Deadline: 21-Apr-2026

The Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online is a funding initiative launched by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to support innovative, non-profit projects tackling online and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Under this call, selected organizations can receive €50,000 each, with a total indicative budget of €250,000, to develop technical solutions or research-based responses focused on artificial intelligence and digital safety for women.

Overview

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has launched the Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online initiative to support practical and innovative responses to online gender-based violence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

This initiative is designed to strengthen women’s rights in digital spaces by funding projects that address abuse, harm, and exclusion occurring online, especially where artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are involved.

The current call for proposals specifically supports initiatives under the theme:

“Artificial Intelligence and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: Innovating to Prevent, Protect, and Respond”

This theme encourages organizations to:

What Is the Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online?

The Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online is a collaborative international initiative focused on defending and advancing women’s rights in the digital environment.

It was:

The initiative was created in response to:

Key Focus Areas of the Initiative

The program takes a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to online women’s rights and digital safety.

It aims to:

What Does “Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence” Mean?

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) refers to harmful acts carried out through digital tools, online platforms, or connected technologies that disproportionately target women and girls.

Common Examples of TFGBV

These may include:

What Types of Projects Are Being Funded?

The call for proposals seeks to fund concrete, implementable projects in one of two main categories:

1. Technical and Technological Solutions

Projects may develop or improve tools, systems, or digital interventions that help prevent or respond to online violence.

Examples include:

2. Research and Knowledge Generation

Projects may also focus on producing evidence and insights that improve policy, governance, and intervention design.

Examples include:

Funding Amount and Grant Size

The total indicative budget for this call is:

Each selected project will receive:

Important Funding Rule

This makes the opportunity particularly useful for smaller or mid-sized non-profit actors that need full-cost grant funding.

Who Is Eligible?

To apply, the lead applicant must meet all eligibility requirements.

Eligible Applicant Types

Applicants must be legal, non-profit entities, including:

Core Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Geographic Eligibility

Projects must be implemented in countries that are eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) according to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list.

This means the project should target or operate in countries recognized as eligible for development assistance under OECD DAC criteria.

Consortium Rules and Partnerships

This call has a strict application structure.

What Is Allowed

What Is Not Allowed

What Is Encouraged

Even though a consortium is not allowed, the program encourages partnerships with:

These partnerships can support project delivery, testing, outreach, and impact, but the lead applicant must remain the single official applicant.

Why This Funding Opportunity Matters

This initiative is significant because it directly addresses one of the fastest-growing global digital rights challenges: violence against women and girls in online spaces.

Why It Matters for Applicants and the Sector

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guidance)

While the article text does not provide the submission link or deadline, organizations should prepare a strong application aligned with the call’s core priorities.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before drafting anything, verify that your organization:

Step 2: Choose a Strong Project Model

Select one clear project type:

Avoid trying to do too many unrelated things in one proposal.

Step 3: Align Your Proposal With the Call Theme

Your project should clearly connect to:

Step 4: Define the Problem Precisely

State:

Step 5: Build a Concrete Solution

Your application should explain:

Step 6: Prepare a Realistic Budget

Since the grant is €50,000 and can cover all eligible costs:

Step 7: Strengthen Implementation Partnerships

Although consortia are not allowed, mention implementation partners where relevant, such as:

Clarify that these are partners, not co-applicants.

Step 8: Prepare Strong Evidence of Capacity

Show:

Tips for a Stronger Proposal

To improve your chances, make your application:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many applicants lose points by submitting broad or unclear concepts. Avoid these common issues:

1. Being Too General

Do not say you will “fight online violence” without specifying:

2. Ignoring the AI Dimension

This call explicitly emphasizes artificial intelligence.

If your proposal does not clearly address:

…it may appear weakly aligned.

3. Proposing a Consortium-Style Structure

A formal consortium is not allowed.

Do not structure your application as if multiple organizations are co-applicants.

4. Including Co-Financing

This call does not support projects requiring co-financing.

Do not present a budget that depends on external matching funds.

5. Weak Safeguarding and Ethics

Projects on digital violence must address:

Best-Fit Applicants for This Call

This funding is especially well-suited for:

Suggested Project Ideas

If you are looking for inspiration, here are examples of potentially strong project concepts:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online?

It is an initiative by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs that supports collaboration and innovation to defend women’s rights in digital spaces, especially against online and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

2. What is the theme of this call for proposals?

The theme is:

“Artificial Intelligence and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: Innovating to Prevent, Protect, and Respond.”

The focus is on AI-related risks, AI misuse, and positive AI-based solutions for online safety.

3. How much funding is available?

The call has an indicative total budget of €250,000.

Each selected project will receive:

4. Can the grant cover all project costs?

Yes. The grant may cover 100% of eligible project costs.

However:

5. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

Applicants must be legal non-profit entities, have at least 2 years of relevant experience, and implement activities in OECD DAC ODA-eligible countries.

6. Are consortia allowed?

No. The lead applicant must apply individually.

A formal consortium is not permitted, although implementation partnerships with external actors are encouraged.

7. What kinds of projects are most likely to fit?

Projects that:

Final Takeaway

The Laboratory for Women’s Rights Online is a highly relevant funding opportunity for organizations working at the intersection of gender equality, digital rights, online safety, and responsible AI.

With €50,000 per project, 100% eligible cost coverage, and a strong focus on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, this call offers a valuable chance for non-profit actors to develop practical solutions or research that can make digital spaces safer for women and girls.

For more information, visit Expertise France SAS.

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