International Women's Day recognises women's achievements and highlights the continued struggle for equal rights and equality for women. As the birthplace of women's suffrage in the UK, Manchester has always been at the heart of the women's movement. We've been celebrating International Women's Day for more than 25 years. 
This year Manchester City Council are bringing you the very first Manchester International Women’s Day Festival 2016/17, and are delighted to announce that their International Women’s Day will be part of the festival.
It will be a month long celebration of women throughout March and will include events and activities celebrating women, their achievements and raising awareness of women’s issues.
The events and activities supported by an International Women’s Day grant will form part of the festival.
You can apply for an International Women's Day grant if:
• your group is not-for-profit, with a voluntary management committee; or an informal group endorsed by an established organisation
• your event or activity will be in the area covered by Manchester City Council
• your event or activity will benefit Manchester residents
• your event or activity will help raise awareness of International Women’s Day
• your event or activity can take place in March 2017
• your event or activity will be run predominately by women, and be predominantly for women the event should preferably occur in the week commencing 1 March 2017, however, applications will be considered for events throughout March 2017
This year the activities supported by an international women’s day grant will form part of the very first International Women’s Day festival. If you are awarded a grant for your event or activity you may be able to host it at Central Library. For further information, email [email protected].
Grants are available up to a maximum of £1,000.
If you are applying for funding over £500, you must demonstrate the following in your grant application:
• set out how your proposed event or activity will improve outcomes for your targeted group or community beyond the funding
• set out very clearly in your application how your proposed event or activity will improve outcomes for women in a way that is measurable
• detail very clearly in your application how your proposed event or activity will raise awareness of women's issues
For further information and to apply, visit: www.manchester.gov.uk/iwd, or contact 0161 234 3763, or email: [email protected]
Deadline: Tuesday 25 October 2016