Strong Civic Space for Equality and Women’s Empowerment Project (Turkey)

Deadline: 05-Jan-2026

UN Women Türkiye, supported by the European Union, is inviting civil society organizations to apply for funding under the Strong Civic Space for Equality and Women’s Empowerment project. This call focuses on empowering young women in civic and political life, tackling technology-facilitated violence, and fostering inclusive participation through innovative, transformative initiatives with funding between USD 100,000 and USD 130,000.

Overview

The Strong Civic Space for Equality and Women’s Empowerment initiative supports civil society organizations (CSOs) in Türkiye to design projects that:

• Empower young women to participate in civic and political processes

• Tackle technology-facilitated violence (digital harassment, misinformation, hate speech)

• Promote positive narratives of young women’s leadership

The call emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and advocacy, aiming to strengthen both online and offline spaces for young women to exercise leadership and influence decision-making.

Why It Matters

Supporting young women in civic life is crucial for:

• Gender equality and inclusive governance

• Safe digital environments, free from harassment and abuse

• Policy influence, enabling youth perspectives to shape legislation and public debates

• Community engagement, fostering responsible citizenship and participatory democracy

By funding projects that combine empowerment, advocacy, and digital safety, UN Women Türkiye seeks to create long-lasting change in young women’s participation in public life.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be:

• Legally registered civil society organizations operating in Türkiye

• Organizations with at least five years of experience (three years may be considered in exceptional cases)

• Experienced in women’s rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment

• Capable of multi-stakeholder engagement and strong financial management

Projects must:

• Run from mid-March 2026 to mid-March 2027

• Demonstrate measurable outcomes in young women’s participation, leadership, and safety

Funding Details

• Funding Range: USD 100,000 – USD 130,000

• Currency: Proposals must be submitted in Turkish Lira

• Funding can cover project activities, capacity development, advocacy campaigns, mentorship programs, digital safety initiatives, and collaboration platforms.

Key Project Components

Applicants are encouraged to include:

1. Combating Technology-Facilitated Violence

• Campaigns addressing online harassment, hate speech, and misinformation

• Strategies to engage men, boys, influencers, and online communities

• Initiatives promoting positive narratives of young women’s leadership

2. Capacity Development

• Youth engagement programs and mentorship schemes

• Leadership bootcamps and training on civic participation

• Digital literacy, online safety, and communication skills enhancement

3. Collaboration and Networks

• Partnerships with academic institutions, media, technology actors, and civil society

• Peer-learning platforms and communities of practice

• Collective advocacy initiatives to amplify young women’s voices

4. Policy and Advocacy

• Constructive dialogue with decision-makers and civil society actors

• Evidence-based policy recommendations and public debate influence

• Strengthening institutional responses to protect young women in digital and political spaces

How to Apply / How It Works

1. Prepare Your Proposal:

   • Define project objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and budget in Turkish Lira

   • Include strategies for combating digital violence and enhancing young women’s leadership

2. Demonstrate Eligibility:

   • Provide legal registration documents and proof of operational experience

   • Highlight past experience in women’s rights, gender equality, and youth programs

3. Submit Application:

   • Ensure compliance with UN Women Partner Agreement terms

   • Include multi-stakeholder collaboration plans and financial management details

4. Project Implementation:

   • Run the project from mid-March 2026 to mid-March 2027

   • Conduct monitoring and evaluation to measure impact

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not demonstrating community consultation or youth engagement

• Submitting budgets in a currency other than Turkish Lira

• Neglecting digital safety and online harassment mitigation

• Failing to provide evidence of legal registration or operational experience

• Excluding multi-stakeholder collaboration strategies

FAQ

1. Who can apply?
Legally registered civil society organizations operating in Türkiye for at least five years (three years in exceptional cases).

2. What types of projects are eligible?
Projects that empower young women in civic/political life, tackle technology-facilitated violence, and strengthen digital and policy advocacy.

3. What is the funding range?
USD 100,000 – USD 130,000, submitted in Turkish Lira.

4. Can international NGOs apply?
Only if they are registered and have operational experience in Türkiye.

5. Is youth mentorship required?
Yes, capacity-building components like mentorship, leadership training, or bootcamps are strongly encouraged.

6. Can projects include online campaigns?
Yes, campaigns addressing digital harassment, hate speech, and promoting positive narratives are eligible.

7. What is the project timeline?
From mid-March 2026 to mid-March 2027.

Conclusion

The Strong Civic Space for Equality and Women’s Empowerment call represents a critical opportunity for CSOs in Türkiye to empower young women, foster safe civic spaces, and drive meaningful social change. By integrating capacity development, digital safety, advocacy, and collaboration, funded projects can create measurable impact on women’s participation and leadership in both online and offline spheres.

For more information, visit UN Women.