The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) supports small, community/rural based grassroots women's groups, which would otherwise not be able to access AWDF'S main funding programme. The SGP also supports emerging or emergency issues, i.e. community disasters, activities that require a rapid response, etc.

Beneficiaries should be running projects which fall within AWDF's five thematic areas:

• Women’s Human Rights
• Political Participation
• Peace Building
• Health, Reproductive Rights, and HIV/AIDS
• Economic Empowerment.

The small grants are for specific projects or items that the group needs and range from US$1,000 - US$3,500. The AWDF makes grants in three cycles: March, August, and November. Applications can be sent in at any time.

Beneficiaries of the SGP have to meet the following criteria:

• They must be women's groups and led by women.
• They should have been in existence for at least three years.
• The groups have to be recommended by the leadership of a larger organisation, i.e. one of AWDF's grantees, or a respected member of the community such as a Member of Parliament.
• They should have basic leadership structures in place.

Information is required prior to a site visit by AWDF staff to assess the group based on the information given. Applicants must provide the following information:

Contact Information

1. Name of group
2. Address and location (physical and postal)
3. Telephone and fax number (if any)
4. Group leaders name
5. Referee's details

Group Information

• What are the group's goals?
• When was the group formed?
• Who benefits from the group?
• What are the key challenges facing the group at the moment?
• How many members are there in the group?
• What other activities is the group involved in?
• What are the group's plans for the future?
• What are you requesting the grant for?
• How would AWDF's support benefit the group?

The AWDF will not support the following projects:

• Women's groups that aim to convert people to any religious belief.
• Political parties or women's wings of political parties.
• Individuals.
• Government departments.
• Scholarships and fellowships for studies.
• Women's groups which are not led by women.