Women’s Business Grants: FemFocus Funding – Jan 7, 2026

The Netherlands has launched the FemFocus programme, a €54,835,000 initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs across select African countries. Administered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program will provide financial and capacity-building support to civil society organizations (CSOs).

Overview of the FemFocus Programme

The FemFocus programme aims to create sustainable opportunities for women in business and address structural barriers to their economic participation. Funding will be allocated to local CSOs to implement projects focused on strengthening women’s entrepreneurship.

The total budget available for this call is €54,835,000, with grants ranging from a minimum of €18,260,055 to a maximum of €27,417,500. Projects are expected to last 60 months, commencing on January 1, 2026.

Objectives and Priorities

FemFocus will employ a two-track approach: individual empowerment and societal transformation. Individual empowerment will focus on enhancing business skills and improving access to markets and financial services. Societal transformation will address socio-cultural and institutional barriers hindering women’s participation in formal economies and leadership roles.

The programme seeks to accelerate women’s leadership, stimulate inclusive growth, and reinforce the role of women in advancing sustainable economic development.

Geographic Focus

Eligible projects must target at least two of the following African countries: Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Benin, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Tunisia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The programme prioritizes collaboration with local partners possessing a deep understanding of the regional context.

Available Funding

The estimated call budget is €39,880,000, with individual project grants between €18.26 million and €27.41 million. While co-financing is not required, applicants are encouraged to leverage partnerships and additional resources.

Eligibility and Applicant Requirements

Applications are open to civil society organizations (CSOs) submitting proposals independently. Consortia are not permitted, although successful applicants may collaborate with partners during the inception phase.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be CSOs legally registered in the Netherlands or a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) listed on the OECD-DAC.
• Organizations must demonstrate at least five years of experience in capacity strengthening of in-country partners in LMICs and providing financial support for independently implemented activities.
• Applicants must also have at least five years of expertise in women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development, or related policy themes in the targeted countries.
• Between 2022–2024, at least 25% of total annual income must have come from non-Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources (with exceptions for small or specialist southern organizations).
• The applicant must have a clear policy and system for selecting and monitoring in-country partners, applied within the past five years.
• The gross annual remuneration for any management or governing body member may not exceed €226,000 (for applicants in the EU).
• Applicants can be awarded only one grant under this framework.
• Individual applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree or similar advanced research qualification.

Project Design and Duration

Approved projects will span 60 months, starting in January 2026. During the initial phase, selected partners will collaboratively refine project strategies to align with local needs and Dutch development priorities.

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative, evidence-based approaches that integrate gender-transformative strategies, local capacity development, and private sector engagement.

Competitiveness and Strategic Considerations

The FemFocus call is expected to be highly competitive, with only two to three applications receiving funding. Proposals demonstrating strong alignment with the programme’s objectives, robust governance systems, and measurable impact pathways will have the greatest chance of success.

Applicants are advised to ensure strong narrative coherence, practical feasibility, and clear metrics for gender equality, economic growth, and sustainability.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full call documentation before submission.