Organizations working to strengthen the voices, leadership, and civic engagement of migrant women across the European Union now have an exciting funding opportunity through the WE-EMPOWER II Grant Programme. Launched by WIDE+ under the European Union Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Structural Grant (2025–2027), this initiative seeks to support small-scale projects that promote democratic participation, community engagement, advocacy, and leadership among migrant women.

With a total funding pool of €80,000 available, the programme is expected to support approximately 15 to 20 impactful projects led by eligible organizations across EU Member States.

Application Deadline

Deadline for Applications: 6 July 2026 (23:59 CET)

Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical or administrative challenges.

About the WE-EMPOWER II Grant Programme

The WE-EMPOWER II project is designed to strengthen the democratic participation of migrant women through targeted grassroots initiatives and collaborative actions. The programme recognizes that democratic participation extends beyond voting and formal political engagement. It includes:

Civic engagement
Community participation
Political involvement
Collective learning
Advocacy and campaigning
Public dialogue
Institutional engagement
Leadership development

The grant programme aims to create opportunities for migrant women to actively influence decisions affecting their lives while strengthening connections between organizations working in migration, gender equality, and social justice.

Funding Available

The grant programme offers two funding categories:

1. Small-Scale Grants

Funding of up to €4,000
Suitable for focused community initiatives and local activities

2. Standard Grants

Funding of up to €7,500
Designed for larger projects with broader reach and impact

Final grant amounts will be determined during the evaluation process based on the quality, scope, feasibility, and expected impact of each proposal.

What Can the Funding Cover?

Successful applicants may use grant funds for a wide range of project-related expenses, including:

Staff costs
Expert and consultant fees
Travel expenses
Accommodation costs
Venue hire
Event logistics
Project materials and supplies
Interpretation services
Accessibility-related costs
Communication activities
Outreach campaigns
Visibility and dissemination activities

One significant advantage of this funding opportunity is that payments will be made in advance before project implementation begins, helping organizations launch activities without financial barriers.

Although co-financing is not mandatory, organizations that can provide additional resources are encouraged to do so.

Objectives of the Grant Programme

The WE-EMPOWER II grant initiative seeks to achieve several important outcomes, including:

Increasing Migrant Women’s Participation

Projects should contribute to enhancing the participation of migrant women in civic, political, and community spaces.

Strengthening Leadership

The programme aims to support initiatives that develop leadership skills and create opportunities for migrant women to influence decision-making processes.

Improving Visibility

Projects should help amplify the voices, experiences, and contributions of migrant women within communities and institutions.

Enhancing Collaboration

The initiative encourages stronger cooperation among WIDE+ members and the Gender and Migration Working Group.

Supporting Grassroots Initiatives

The programme seeks to strengthen partnerships between established organizations and migrant-led grassroots movements.

Eligible Activities

Applicants can propose a wide range of activities that contribute to the programme’s objectives.

Supported activities include:

Capacity-Building and Training

Leadership training
Skills development workshops
Community empowerment programmes
Educational sessions

Participatory Learning Activities

Interactive workshops
Learning exchanges
Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
Community learning events

Awareness-Raising Campaigns

Public education initiatives
Media campaigns
Information dissemination activities
Community outreach programmes

Advocacy and Community Engagement

Policy dialogues
Community consultations
Advocacy campaigns
Stakeholder engagement activities

Networking and Knowledge Exchange

Networking events
Collaborative forums
Learning platforms
Partnership-building activities

Mandatory Project Requirements

To be considered eligible, all projects must meet the following requirements:

Participation Requirements

Include at least one in-person activity
Engage a minimum of 20 participants
Ensure that at least 50% of participants are migrant women or members of marginalized groups

Additional Requirement for Standard Grants

Projects applying for standard grants must reach at least 50 participants in total.

Deliverables

Projects must produce outputs that can be shared within the WIDE+ network, including:

Reports
Training materials
Communication products
Learning resources
Documentation of project outcomes

Meaningful Involvement of Migrant Women

A core requirement of the programme is the meaningful participation of migrant women in project implementation. Applications that fail to demonstrate active involvement and leadership by migrant women will not be considered eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations applying for funding must meet all of the following requirements:

Be a legally registered non-profit organization or association
Be based in a European Union Member State
Be a WIDE+ member organization or member of the Gender and Migration Working Group
Operate mainly at local, regional, or national levels
Respect European Union values and principles
Comply with Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union
Adhere to the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights
Have no conflict of interest regarding the grant call

European umbrella organizations are not eligible under this funding opportunity.

Selection Process

Applications will undergo a two-stage review process.

Stage 1: Eligibility Screening

Applications will be reviewed to ensure:

Administrative compliance
Eligibility of applicants
Completeness of documentation
Adherence to programme requirements

Stage 2: Independent Evaluation

Eligible proposals will be assessed by a Selection Committee consisting of three independent evaluators.

Applications will be scored out of 50 points, and only those achieving at least 30 points will be considered for funding.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Alignment with Programme Objectives (15 Points)

Evaluators will assess how clearly the project contributes to the objectives and priorities of the grant programme.

2. Quality and Feasibility of Project Design (15 Points)

Reviewers will examine:

Project structure
Methodology
Realism of activities
Feasibility of implementation
Expected outcomes and outputs

3. Intersectional Feminist Approach and Migrant Women’s Empowerment (10 Points)

Projects should demonstrate:

Intersectional feminist principles
Leadership opportunities for migrant women
Inclusive approaches for marginalized groups

4. Contribution to the WIDE+ Network (10 Points)

Applications will be assessed on their ability to strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing, and engagement within the WIDE+ network and Gender and Migration Working Group.

Important Timeline

Call Opens: 6 June 2026
Application Deadline: 6 July 2026
Evaluation Period: July 2026
Results Announcement: July 2026
Contract Signing: July 2026
Project Implementation Period: 1 August – 30 November 2026

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the official application form and submit it via email before the application deadline.

Applications should be sent to:

Email: info@wideplus.org

Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be reviewed.

Organizations are advised to carefully review all eligibility requirements and ensure that their proposals clearly demonstrate the meaningful involvement of migrant women, strong project design, and alignment with the objectives of the WE-EMPOWER II programme.

This funding opportunity offers a valuable platform for organizations across the European Union to strengthen democratic participation, amplify migrant women’s leadership, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable communities.

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Grant Opportunities on OFY here.

WE-EMPOWER II Grant 2026: Up to €7,500 Funding for Projects Advancing Migrant Women’s Democratic Participation Across the European Union @EMPOWER II Grant 2026: Up to €7,500 Funding for Projects Advancing Migrant Women’s Democratic Participation Across the European Union