What is an Empowerment grant?

It is a grant that targets (informal) groups or organisations to raise awareness, develop transformative leadership, build confidence and skills, and work against stigmatisation of marginalised and discriminated groups. This is a small-scale grant with at least a one-year timeframe, accessible for informal groups through partnering with registered/accredited organisations and registered grassroots organisations

Who can apply?

• Informal groups through partnering with registered/accredited organisations
• Small organisations with legal registration/local permit or accreditation and a bank account under the applicant’s name.

All applicants should be led and represented by at least one of the Voice target groups:

• Persons with disability
• Age-discriminated groups, notably the children/youth and the elderly
• LGBTQI+ community
• Indigenous peoples
• Women facing exploitation, abuse and violence

What does this mean? An organisation (formal/informal) is target-led when it is governed and managed by members of the target-group(s). The principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us” guides their work. If the target-group(s) do not play roles in the governance and management of the organisation, the proposal needs to describe how the target-groups are fully involved in the conceptualisation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project.

International organisations cannot be a lead applicant but can team up as a co-applicant in the case of consortium applications.

How much can you apply for?

Empowerment grants are available from €5,000 to €25,000 or approximately ₱265,000 to ₱1,300,000, with a timeframe of 12 months.

What kind of projects can you propose?

Voice accepts proposals that work towards:

• Increasing access to productive resources (finance, land and water) and employment;
• Increasing access to social services, health and education in particular; and
• Strengthened space for political participation

What kind of activities will be funded?

Applicants are particularly recommended to integrate any of the following in their proposals:

• Organising the sectors/groups, especially women facing exploitation and abuse and/or violence, LBTQI groups, persons with disabilities and age-discriminated and vulnerable groups;
• Capacity development of small organisations and their members;
• Awareness raising and education of families and communities; and
• Promotion of positive image of the marginalised sectors.

What issues are we looking for?

Applicants are encouraged to propose initiatives that will address the key issues identified in the Voice Philippines baseline report (infographics posted in www.voice.global) as well as those identified from the context analysis update. Examples include:

• Strengthening the advocacy and influencing capacity of persons with disabilities;
• Develop and highlight future leaders and role-models within the target groups;
• Creative methods for tackling myths and misconceptions about women facing abuse, LGBTI persons, or persons with disabilities;
• Promoting inclusion within mainstream civil society actors such as unions and the media.

Linking and Learning

Linking and Learning is at the heart and soul of Voice. All grantees, as part of the Voice community, are expected to participate in facilitated meetings and gatherings enabling the exchange of ideas and learnings from each other’s experiences.  Applicants must demonstrate in their proposals how they will identify, document, and share their learnings as they implement their project. These may come in many forms such as blog posts, videos, photo essay or audio recordings.

Voice values diversity and inclusion. All grantees are expected to be able to interact with and learn from a diverse group of people coming from different backgrounds, orientations, and experiences. Interested applicants must be willing to work in a diverse community, which includes representatives from all of the Voice target groups.

Practising the Values of Voice

Voice believes in the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. In practise, this means Voice target groups need to be at the centre of any effort. They must be involved in the conceptualisation, planning, and implementation of any grant. They are equal partners in any consortium, network, or coalition, playing key governance and leadership roles.