CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
To Expand Women’s Leadership and Political Participation: WYDE | Women’s Leadership
Submission Deadline: 10 November 2025
1. Introduction
a. Background and Context
The WYDE | Women’s Leadership Initiative is a collaborative global effort aimed at advancing women’s full and effective political participation and decision-making at all levels, especially those most often left furthest behind.
As a multi-stakeholder initiative funded by the European Union, UN Women will support the implementation of the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership commitments, through directly supporting civil society and women’s rights organizations, including young women’s organizations.
Women and young women leaders remain unequally represented in decision-making globally due to entrenched barriers. Although women’s participation has increased over the past 30 years, power imbalances persist, and progress remains uneven.
As of 1 January 2025, women headed only 22.9% of ministries, a decline from 23.3% the previous year, and only 25 countries were led by women. Nine countries had no women cabinet members at all.
This context underscores the continued need for WYDE | Women’s Leadership to advance parity, as envisioned in the CEDAW Committee General Recommendation 40, On the Equal and Inclusive Representation of Women in Decision-Making Systems (2024).
Funded by the EU, and jointly implemented by UN Women, the International IDEA, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the initiative aims to:
- Support women’s leadership through advocacy, networking, and capacity building.
- Promote transformative social norms change for inclusive participation.
Through this Call, approximately USD 1,000,000 in funding will directly support civil society and women’s rights organizations advancing the AC6’s targets for women and girls’ meaningful participation, leadership, and decision-making power.
2. Description of Expected Results
This funding will directly support civil society and women’s rights organizations, including young women-led organizations, especially in contexts where civic space is shrinking.
Projects should focus on shifting and redefining social norms to promote gender equality, empower feminist networks, build capacity, and create lasting and transformative change.
Applicants are encouraged to propose initiatives that align with Outcome 1 of WYDE | Women’s Leadership:
Leadership and networking of women in public life are strengthened, including through existing dialogue mechanisms, at global, regional, and local levels.
Focus Areas
Applications may include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:
• Building Women’s Political Leadership Capacity
Enhance women’s leadership skills through training, mentorship, and inclusion, especially for underserved groups such as women with disabilities, Indigenous women, and LGBTQI+ women.
• Mentorship for Emerging Leaders
Foster intergenerational exchange between seasoned advocates and young women leaders to build strong feminist movements.
• Leveraging Convening Power for Social Norms Change
Engage men and boys as allies, use media to shift narratives, and address harmful stereotypes and disinformation against women leaders.
• Bolstering Feminist Movement Building
Strengthen women’s movements through partnerships, coalitions, and sub-partnering with other CSOs to deliver shared impact.
• Increasing Women’s Political Leadership
Advocate for women’s inclusion in policymaking, undertake perception surveys, and generate evidence to promote gender equality in leadership.
Projects should ensure inclusivity, intersectionality, and participation of marginalized groups to transform social norms and expand leadership spaces for women.
3. Application Modalities
Consortium and Sub-Partnering Approach
Lead organizations may engage sub-partners to form consortia that enhance capacity and expand impact. Applicants should detail:
- Proposed sub-partners
- Engagement methods
- Expected outcomes
Youth-led and constituency-led organizations (e.g., women with disabilities, Indigenous, LGBTQI+) are strongly encouraged to apply or be included as partners.
4. Timeframe
- Project Duration: 12–22 months
- Budget Range: USD 45,000 – USD 150,000
- Partner Agreements Signed by: 28 February 2026
- Project Completion: 31 December 2027
5. Competencies
Mandatory Criteria
- Legally registered NGO with a proven track record in women’s political participation, leadership, advocacy, or movement building.
- Certified annual financial statements for the past three years.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in women’s rights and leadership work.
- Single-country proposal in a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA).
- Agreement to UN Women’s Partner Agreement terms and mandatory declarations on fraud, misconduct, and sanctions.
Priority Criteria
Thematic Expertise
- Proven experience promoting women’s political participation and transforming social norms.
- Demonstrated results in advocacy, coalition-building, and feminist movement strengthening.
- Experience working with networks and building young women’s leadership capacity.
- Inclusive approach to diverse and marginalized groups.
Organizational Priorities
- Women’s rights organizations with gender equality as a core mandate.
- Commitment makers of the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership.
- Organizations operating in Africa will be prioritized.
- Young women-led organizations (51% of leadership between ages 18–35).
- Organizations led by or serving marginalized populations (women with disabilities, Indigenous, LGBTQI+).
- Applicants that engage sub-partners for capacity building.
6. Exclusionary Criteria (EU Requirements)
Organizations or individuals involved in any of the following will be excluded:
- Bankruptcy, insolvency, or unpaid taxes
- Fraud, corruption, money laundering, or terrorist activities
- Child labour, human trafficking, or professional misconduct
- Shell companies or related irregularities
7. Acceptance of Terms
Applicants must acknowledge acceptance (or specify reservations) of the UN Women Partner Agreement terms. Any objections will be reviewed but not automatically accepted.
How to Apply
Full application details, proposal templates, and submission instructions are available through UN Women under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership Call for Proposals.