Overview of the FemFocus Programme
The FemFocus – Encouraging Women’s Entrepreneurship programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, aims to empower women entrepreneurs across selected African countries. Implemented under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this initiative provides substantial financial and capacity-building support to local civil society organizations (CSOs). Through this programme, the Dutch government seeks to create sustainable opportunities for women in business while addressing structural barriers that limit their economic participation.
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 1 January 2026.
Objectives and Priorities
The FemFocus programme adopts a two-track approach to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship and promote gender equality within the business environment:
- Individual Empowerment: Enhancing business skills, improving access to markets, networks, products, and financial services for women entrepreneurs.
- Societal Transformation: Addressing socio-cultural and institutional barriers that restrict women’s participation in formal economies and leadership roles.
The ultimate goal is to create an enabling ecosystem where women can develop, expand, and sustain successful enterprises. Through targeted interventions, FemFocus 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 where the Netherlands maintains active trade and economic relationships:
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 emphasizes collaboration with local partners who have deep contextual understanding of the social, economic, and cultural dynamics in these regions.
Available Funding
The estimated call budget stands at €39,880,000, with individual project grants between €18.26 million and €27.41 million.
While co-financing is not explicitly required, applicants are encouraged to leverage partnerships and additional resources to enhance project sustainability and impact.
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Eligibility and Applicant Requirements
Applications are open to civil society organizations (CSOs) that will submit proposals independently. Consortia are not permitted; however, successful applicants will have the opportunity to select and collaborate with partners during the inception phase (first six months).
Key Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be CSOs legally registered either in the Netherlands or in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) listed on the OECD-DAC.
- The organization must demonstrate at least five years of experience in:
- Capacity strengthening of in-country partners in LMICs.
- Providing financial support for independently implemented activities.
- The organization must also have a minimum of five years of expertise in women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development, or related policy themes in the targeted countries.
- In the period 2022–2024, at least 25% of total annual income must have come from non-Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources (except 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 inception phase, selected partners will collaboratively refine project strategies to ensure alignment with both 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 to achieve long-term change.
Competitiveness and Strategic Considerations
The FemFocus call is expected to be highly competitive, as only two to three applications will receive funding. Proposals that demonstrate strong alignment with the programme’s objectives, robust governance systems, and measurable impact pathways will stand the best chance of success.
Given the scale and visibility of this initiative, applicants are advised to ensure strong narrative coherence, practical feasibility, and clear metrics for gender equality, economic growth, and sustainability.
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