Call for Proposals: Small Grants for locally led actions to prevent VAWG in Ethiopia’s Somali Region 

1. Project overview 

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.

As part of its programme, ISF is implementing a Small Grants Mechanism (SGM) project in Jigjiga City, Somali Region of Ethiopia. The project focuses on strengthening community-led initiatives that prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage, while also strengthening local women’s rights movements.

This Call provides flexible funding of ETB 500,000 – 900,000 for actions lasting 3–6 months. ISF encourages participation from diverse groups, including women-led organizations, youth groups, traditional associations (such as Shirkas), and groups that include both women and men, girls and boys, and marginalized persons such as people with disabilities.

2. Objective of the Call 

To support locally led initiatives that prevent VAWG and promote women’s rights by: 

• Changing community attitudes and practices that limit women’s and girls’ rights Strengthening grassroots leadership and women’s rights movements 

• Promoting dialogue and community action 

• Supporting efforts to address FGM/C, child marriage, other forms of VAWG including intimate partner violence and sexual violence and gender equality. 

3. Thematic Focus Areas 

The proposed initiatives should address at least one of the following priority areas, with a strong focus on the prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including FGM/C, child marriage, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual violence. Interventions may also focus on system strengthening (service mapping and establishing referral mechanism), survivor-centered justice and support mechanisms, as well as fostering dialogue and engagement with policymakers. 

Candidates can select one of the following  

1. Community-Level Action 
   Work that engages directly with communities to influence behaviors, decision-making, and everyday practices related to violence against women and girls. This includes working with women and girls, men and boys, youth, and community leaders through dialogue, collective action, and locally driven processes. 
   
2. Advocacy and Structural Engagement 
   Work that engages with institutions, authorities, and wider systems to influence policies, resource allocation, accountability related to violence against women and girls, service mapping and strengthening the referral pathway. This includes strengthening grassroots leadership and supporting advocacy efforts at local (kebele), woreda level or regional level. 

4. Examples of Eligible Activities 

Proposed initiatives may include, but are not limited to: Proposed initiatives may include, but are not limited to: 

• Community awareness campaigns on VAWG prevention 

• Dialogue sessions with religious leaders, elders, women’s groups, and youth 

• Advocacy initiatives addressing FGM/C and child marriage 

• Cultural events and youth forums promoting gender equality 

• Media and communication initiatives promoting women and girls inclusion and equality  

• Creative documentation and storytelling approaches (e.g., community theatre, participatory video, digital storytelling, photo-voice, radio narratives, podcasts, and arts-based expression) that highlight lived experiences and amplify community voices on VAWG  

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and culturally relevant approaches that respond to the local context of Jigjiga City. 

5. Size of the Grant and Duration 

Selected applicants will receive small grants ranging between ETB 500,000 – 900,000, depending on the scope and scale of the proposed activities. 

The implementation period for supported initiatives is expected to be between three (3) and six (6) months. 

All costs must be directly related to the implementation of the proposed activities. 

6. Eligibility Criteria 

Who Can Apply?

This call is open to local actors based in Jigjiga City, including: 

• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) 

• Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) 

• Women-led organizations 

• Youth groups working on gender equality and women’s rights 

• Grassroots movements and informal community groups 

• Traditional women’s associations such as Shirkas 

Applicants should demonstrate active community engagement and commitment to promoting women’s rights and gender equality. 

7. Ineligible Costs 

The following costs will not be eligible for funding: 

• Debts and debt service charges 

• Provisions for future liabilities or losses 

• Purchase of land, buildings, or vehicles 

• Large infrastructure investments 

• Equipment not directly required for project activities 

• Individual scholarships or sponsorships 

• Activities supporting political parties or political campaigns 

• One-off conferences or events without broader project activities 

8. Required Application Documents 

Applicants must submit the following: 

• Completed Application Form (PDF) 

• Budget proposal using the provided template 

• Proof of registration (where applicable) 

• Recent bank statement (where applicable) 

• Evidence of previous community engagement or experience (e.g., reference letter from community leader, partner organization, or previous project documentation) 

9. Application Submission 

Applications should be written in English or Somali and submitted by email. 

Send applications to: isfethiopia@isf.fi 

Email subject line: 
“ISF Small Grants Call – Jigjiga SGM 001” 

All required documents must be attached for the application to be considered complete. 

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. 

10. Timeline

Call for proposals published	March 23rd, 2026
Information session	April 6th, 2026 10:00am (No registration needed, join via this link)
Deadline for applications	April 13th, 2026
Award notification (Tentative)	Within 15 days after the application deadline

Due to the high number of anticipated applications, ISF may not be able to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.