This flexible funding is a game-changer for small organisations. We have acquired an office and retained dedicated staff.”
Bina Maseno, Executive Director, Badili Africa
How the Women's Rights Fund works
The Women’s Rights Fund provides three-year funding to community organisations to invest in their own priorities.
It is part of Oxfam’s new strategy to change the way that we work and become a better partner. It is inspired by Oxfam’s longstanding work with women’s rights organisations, and our research report, A Leap of Faith.
How does it work?
Launched in late 2020, the Women’s Rights Fund (WRF) works with small community organisations. It is currently in Kenya, Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and Lebanon. It supports tens of thousands of people each year.
Women's Rights Fund partners work on a range of issues such as emergency aid, access to healthcare, agriculture, support to survivors of violence and women’s political participation.
Areas of focus
The Women's Rights Fund has three main areas of focus:
Grants to Partners
Each partner receives a grant of £60,000, split over three years. The use of the grant is entirely at the partner’s discretion, with minimal conditions beyond legal compliance.
Organisational Development
All partners are supported to develop bespoke sustainability plans for their organisations. And to identify relevant training areas to help them grow (such as in fundraising and strategy development).
Working together
Throughout the funding period, the Women's Rights Fund team is on call to support partners whenever needed.
What happens next?
The Women's Rights Fund grant cycle lasts three years. After this, partners are supported in other ways. They have access to training and networking, support from other Women's Rights Fund members, and funding opportunities.
As one set of partners completes their funding cycle, new partners are invited to join the Fund.
The Women's Rights Fund is making a significant impact on the communities it serves. It's also part of reimagining how international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) work with communities.
We look forward to opening up access to the Fund for other countries.
To find out more about the Women’s Rights Fund, please contact womens_rights_fund@oxfam.org.uk.