The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) and the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos) invite applications for the second round of the GenARDIS (Gender and Agriculture/Rural Development in the Information Society) small grants programme.

The grants aim to support work on gender issues in information and communication technologies (ICTs) in ACP countries (Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific) agricultural and rural development.

Proposals can be aimed at:

• understanding gender differences in the use of ICTs;
• promoting ICT use among rural women (sensitisation);
• improving rural women’s access to ICTs;
• improving the skills and capacities of rural women in using ICTs;
• increasing the attractiveness of ICTs for rural women by providing relevant content;
• mainstreaming gender concerns in ICT policy and projects;
• using ICTs for gender advocacy purposes.

Submissions will be judged according to the following criteria:

• Innovativeness;
• Clearly outlines and addresses gender issues, i.e., the socially constructed relations between women and men in a particular society;
• ICT-enabled;
• Agricultural or agro-linked rural development context;
• Proposal clearly states objectives, includes a methodology/implementation strategy, identifies outputs, partners/stakeholders and includes a timeline and budget;
• Realistic within budgetary and time constraints.

"This is a competitive call for applications for 10 non-renewable grants of up to 5,000 Euros. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 25 2005. An expert panel will judge the submissions. Announcement of the successful applicants is expected to be made on April 11 2005. Successful applicants will be expected to write a comprehensive report on their project results, experiences and use of the funds and contribute to a workshop to be held in late 2005. All submissions must be received before the deadline (25 February 2005). Submissions via e-mail are preferred."

Click here for more information and to download the application form.

Click here to read about the 2003 award recipients.