Call for Applications: The March 8 Fund 2025
In recent years, we have witnessed a growing backlash against gender equality. Rising authoritarianism, defunding of gender-focused initiatives, increasing restrictions on women’s rights, and escalating attacks on LGBTQI+ communities threaten hard-won progress. Many grassroots organizations and activists find themselves facing mounting obstacles—not only political and social but also financial, as traditional funding structures impose ever-greater bureaucratic constraints.
The March 8 Fund, administered by the GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training (GEST) Programme at the University of Iceland, aims to set a clear example for international donors, and provides direct financial support to trusted gender equality leaders around the world.
GRÓ GEST alumni represent more than 200+ leaders, policy makers and activists from more than 30 countries. At a time when access to funding is increasingly conditional on compliance-heavy processes shaped by Western-led institutions, the March 8 Fund takes a different approach. Instead of reinforcing the legacy of top-down, bureaucratic aid, it places trust directly in those working on the ground, ensuring that funding reaches the people and communities that need it the most, without unnecessary delays or restrictions.
We invite applications for small-scale, alumni-led projects that advance gender equality and social justice in diverse social and political contexts.
The March 8 Fund provides seed funding of up to €11,000 for GEST alumni-led projects. For details on eligibility, funding criteria, and application templates, click here. The deadline is April 30, 2025 (midnight, UTC).
As something new, projects that demonstrate meaningful cooperation between alumni from different countries, in a way that strengthens cross-regional partnerships and shared learning, will receive special attention in the selection process.
Click here to apply
Why Apply?
The March 8 Fund provides fast, flexible funding that prioritizes trust in local expertise. Unlike traditional funding mechanisms, which often impose rigid structures that limit innovation and adaptability, this fund removes unnecessary barriers, enabling gender equality advocates to respond quickly and effectively to the challenges in their communities. Moreover, an independent external evaluation has confirmed the effectiveness of the March 8 Fund, showing that past recipients have successfully used the grant as a steppingstone to secure additional funding, expand their initiatives, and create long-term impact.
Past Projects: Impact in Action
The March 8 Fund has enabled GEST alumni to implement transformative initiatives that respond to pressing gender equality challenges in their communities.
In Nigeria, the Business Booster Programme for 100 Rural Women Energy Entrepreneurs, led by alumna Chinenye Anekwe, provided financial literacy training and expanded market access for women entrepreneurs. Partnering with Solar Sister Nigeria, the initiative reached over 7,000 people across 30 communities, increasing participants' business capital and strengthening women’s economic empowerment.
In Mexico City, Claudia Pamela Chavarría Machado established a community-based response to gender-based violence, creating a learning space where survivors of intimate partner violence could access legal, financial, and social support. The initiative not only provided critical services but also worked towards systemic change by increasing survivors’ ability to navigate justice systems. Following its pilot phase, the project was integrated into broader community intervention efforts, ensuring long-term sustainability.
In Pakistan, Sonal Dhanani launched the Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion Advocacy Hub, addressing the barriers that prevent women, particularly from minority communities, from accessing financial and digital tools essential for economic independence. Through a Women’s Innovation Lab, the initiative provided training in financial and digital literacy to 60 women, equipping them with the skills to access financial institutions, markets, and social protection schemes. Beyond individual empowerment, the project contributed to shifting community norms regarding women’s financial autonomy.
In Uganda, Peter Katuramu led an initiative to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for women with disabilities. In collaboration with the Uganda Disabled Women’s Association, the project established a Disability Health Inclusion Corner at Kiira Referral Hospital, addressing the systemic exclusion of disabled women from healthcare services. It also trained 100 caregivers and created an advocacy network linking disability rights activists with healthcare professionals and policymakers. As a result, disability-inclusive healthcare is now being integrated into local governance frameworks in Wakiso District.
These projects demonstrate the far-reaching impact of the March 8 Fund, showcasing how small-scale, flexible funding can enable locally driven, sustainable change. Through trust-based support, GEST alumni continue to advance gender equality in diverse social and political contexts, ensuring that funding reaches those who need it most.
At a time when gender equality is under attack, we remain committed to supporting those working on the frontlines of change.
We look forward to receiving your applications!