Supporting Women-Led Initiatives in Peacebuilding and Crisis Recovery (Syria)

Deadline: 02-Feb-2026

The Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) invites local organizations in Syria to apply for funding to advance peacebuilding, social cohesion, and the economic empowerment of women and young women. Grants range from US$2,500 to US$200,000 to support both programmatic activities and institutional capacity building for women-led organizations.

Overview

The Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) has launched a Call for Proposals to support civil society organizations implementing projects that promote peacebuilding, recovery, and the empowerment of women and young women. The initiative emphasizes the critical role of women in fostering social resilience, stability, and gender equality in conflict-affected areas.

Funding Streams and Objectives

WPHF provides two streams of funding for qualifying local organizations in Syria:

• Programmatic Funding: Ranging from US$30,000 to US$200,000, this stream finances activities aimed at:

  • Promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding

  • Enhancing the economic empowerment of women and young women in crisis and conflict settings

  • Supporting initiatives that advance gender equality and recovery

• Institutional Funding: Ranging from US$2,500 to US$30,000, this stream strengthens the internal capacity of women’s rights and women-led organizations by:

  • Improving organizational sustainability

  • Increasing effectiveness in implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

  • Ensuring long-term operational resilience and impact

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include local women’s rights and women-led organizations operating in Syria that:

• Focus on peacebuilding, social cohesion, or economic empowerment of women

• Demonstrate capacity to manage programmatic or institutional activities

• Align with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
  Applicants must be legally registered or recognized local civil society organizations capable of implementing projects in conflict-affected areas.

How to Apply

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure your organization is a women-led or women’s rights-focused civil society organization operating in Syria.

2. Determine Funding Stream: Decide whether to apply for programmatic funding (US$30,000–200,000) or institutional funding (US$2,500–30,000).

3. Prepare Proposal: Include clear objectives, expected outcomes, activities, timelines, and budget allocation.

4. Align with WPHF Goals: Ensure the project addresses peacebuilding, social cohesion, economic empowerment, or organizational capacity building.

5. Submit Application: Follow the official submission guidelines provided by WPHF.

6. Review and Selection: Applications are evaluated based on impact potential, relevance, feasibility, and alignment with WPS Agenda objectives.

Why It Matters

This initiative strengthens the capacity of women-led organizations, promotes gender equality, and supports the role of women and young women in peacebuilding and recovery. By funding local actors, WPHF ensures that projects are contextually relevant, sustainable, and impactful in conflict-affected areas, contributing to long-term social resilience and stability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying if your organization is not women-led or women-focused

• Submitting incomplete or unclear proposals

• Failing to demonstrate alignment with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

• Ignoring organizational capacity needs if applying for institutional funding

• Overlooking the funding stream suitability for your proposed activities

FAQ: WPHF Call for Proposals

1. What is the funding range for programmatic activities? US$30,000 to US$200,000.
2. What is the funding range for institutional capacity building? US$2,500 to US$30,000.
3. Who can apply? Local women’s rights or women-led organizations operating in Syria.
4. Can the funding be used for operational costs? Yes, programmatic funding covers project activities, and institutional funding strengthens organizational capacity.
5. What type of projects are prioritized? Projects that advance peacebuilding, social cohesion, economic empowerment, or strengthen women-led organizations.
6. How are applications evaluated? Based on relevance, impact potential, feasibility, and alignment with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
7. Can the same organization apply for both funding streams? Yes, if the projects meet the criteria and objectives for each funding stream.

Conclusion

The WPHF Call for Proposals represents a key opportunity for local organizations in Syria to strengthen their operations and advance impactful programming. By supporting initiatives in peacebuilding, social cohesion, and economic empowerment, WPHF empowers women and young women to play a central role in recovery, resilience, and long-term stability in conflict-affected areas. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply strategically to maximize both programmatic and institutional impact.

For more information, visit UNDP.