Publication Date: Friday, February 07, 2025
Funder (Prime Funder): The European Union
Implementing organization: International Solidarity Foundation (ISF)
Announcement Type: Subsequent
Call Number: CLA – 003
Application submission deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025, 11:59 pm, East African Time
Join our Information Session on Teams on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 10:00 am.Use this link to participate in the session.
The International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) is a Finnish development organization, founded in 1970. ISF envisions a world where women and girls are empowered to build their own future, their self-determination is fully realized, and their right to bodily integrity is respected.
The goal of ISF’s 2022–2025 programme is to strengthen the bodily integrity and livelihood resilience of women and girls in Kenya, Somaliland, and Ethiopia. The programme primarily consists of long-term projects that are implemented by local partners: civil society actors such as NGOs, community-based organizations, and women’s own businesses.
Since June 2023, ISF has implemented a Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) scheme within a Grassroots Initiative project in Kisii and Nyamira counties in Kenya. The project supports a dynamic grassroots movement against gender-based violence (GBV) through tailored prevention strategies, collaborative engagements, peer learning and mentorship, and financial support for local stakeholders. The FSTP scheme is designed to run for three consecutive rounds of sub-granting (each running for three months only), with this CLA being the final round.
Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply?
To be considered for funding, groups and organizations will need to submit the following:
The ISF will provide funding for groups and organizations with innovative ideas, preferably demonstrating a track record of at least 12 months of implementing similar or related activities within the following categories, focusing on addressing gender-based violence (GBV). Groups that work with vulnerable communities (for example: the youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, minority or marginalized groups, LGBTQI+ communities etc.) are encouraged to apply. GBV-focused projects should fall under one of the following categories:
For this Call, the proposed action should focus on any of the categories listed above, and include any of the indicative, but not exhaustive activities listed below (applicants can also suggest other relevant activities):
Successful applicants will receive grants ranging from KES 300,000 to KES 600,000 to implement their proposed actions. All costs incurred during implementation within the outlined categories and guidelines are eligible. Ineligible costs include capital expenditures, in-kind contributions, political sponsorships, and one-off conferences.
Applications should be written in English and submitted by email to isfkenya@isf.fi.
The subject line must include the words “ISF Call for Local Actors – CLA 003”, and the above-listed documents must be included as attachments to be considered successfully submitted.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2025, 11:59 pm EAT. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Due to the high number of anticipated applications, ISF may not provide feedback to each unsuccessful applicant.
For additional information, refer to the FAQ document. Further inquiries can be emailed to: isfkenya@isf.fi with the subject line: “ISF CALL FOR LOCAL ACTORS_QUESTIONS”.
We look forward to your applications and to supporting impactful actions in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
ISF will accept applications from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) – including Community-Based Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, and Grassroots movements, with specialized knowledge, expertise, and a track record of working on defending and advocating for women’s rights and the elimination of violence against women and girls thus ensuring freedom from all forms of gender-based violence against women, girls, men and boys, in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
More definitions are outlined below:
YES – But can only undertake the proposed actions in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
The typical requirement is for the implementing organization to be based within the regions where the action will be carried out, namely Kisii and Nyamira for ease of implementation of proposed actions. However, innovative proposals originating from outside these counties but aligned with the call objectives are encouraged to apply.
No.
YES. Organizations may work with relevant co-and implementing partners to complement their expertise, and outreach capacity and build the capacities of grassroots organizations.
ISF considers working with registered organizations, however, informal or unregistered groups furthering actions in GBV within Kisii and Nyamira are encouraged to apply.
The call for proposal supports both existing GBV initiatives and new innovative approaches/ ideas on combating GBV. The scalability of the proposed ideas is key.
YES
Applications must be submitted by email to isfkenya@isf.fi. The subject line must include the words “ISF Call for Local Actors – CLA 003”.
Where can I find information about the Call for Proposals?
Applications may be submitted in English.
ISF will follow internal selection criteria for this process.
All categories are considered equally.
No. Collaborations are not allowed for this call.
The selection and evaluation of applications will be conducted based on the eligibility criteria set in the call guidelines. ISF aims to do it transparently and independently by a designated committee to ensure fairness and impartiality.
Due to the high volume of applications, ISF may not be able to provide feedback to all unsuccessful applicants.
ISF informs applicants of their status via email. The email is sent to the email addresses provided by applicants in the online application. Please make sure you provide an email address that will remain valid and operational for at least a year when entering your contact information.
Applicants will be notified of the successful applications through acknowledgement emails. The call for proposals specifies the communication process and timeline.
NO. While all applicants – whenever possible – are encouraged to make financial and/or in-kind contributions, it is not a requirement to do so.
All costs incurred during the implementation period relating to any of the outlined action categories and indicative activities as per the Call document guidelines are eligible.
Under the FSTP project, ISF will NOT fund (but not limited to) the following:
In-kind contributions generally refer to non-cash resources contributed to the project. Volunteer work is an exception as it represents a specific form of in-kind contribution noted as allowable.
The restriction on including salary costs of personnel as eligible costs is due to resource constraints and specific funding agency guidelines. Organizations may need to seek other sources of funding for personnel costs.
NO
Budget templates are typically provided as a framework to guide applicants. These can be filled to adapt to your needs as long as the format does not change.
Actions identified by the grantees are to be performed within the proposed action period. However, due to circumstances communicated and agreed upon between ISF and grantees, action implementation can be reviewed, not more than 1 month after the project period.
The allowance for indirect administrative costs is allowed up to 7% of the total direct costs.
YES. The budget submitted with the application represents the total funds available and allocated for the detailed action proposal. However, budget lines may be modified as long as the budget is in line with the approved action strategies.
NO. It is not possible to make changes to the submitted application. Kindly ensure that the application is complete and to the applicant’s expectations before submission.
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