Many women’s lives are complex, and they often have tangled paths through systems, structures and communities to access the support needed to live safe, independent lives. Research into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that women are facing the additional burden of unemployment, childcare and economic distress. UN Women acknowledged that ‘the pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the pandemic.’ (UN Women, 2020).
Women have always joined together to support each other through difficult times and hardship. Sometimes to provide practical help, other times to give space to reflect and grow, and often to just pursue common interests and companionship
The Empowering Women Fund, part of the Labyrinth Project, is a Tampon Tax funded grant scheme, led by Solace. It will provide funding to support small women’s groups and organisations to develop innovative ways of empowering women in their local area and build the capacity of small organisations. The fund is divided into two strands and grants can run for up to 12 months.
The fund is are committed to equal access to opportunity and believe all women should have the opportunity to benefit from the available funding, regardless of age, class, disability, ethnicity, faith, income or sexuality. Applications are particularly welcomed from marginalised communities.
Organisations can apply for:
Seed funding grants (£500-£1,000)
Available to small women’s groups to establish and run micro women’s empowerment projects in their local area that support women to build skills and confidence, and decrease social isolation.
Women’s Sector grants (£1,000-£25,000)
Available for women’s groups and organisations to develop capacity to respond to changing needs in their communities and run projects over a fixed duration of at least 6 months.
For more information and to apply click here
Deadline: 28 May 2021, 5pm