FemFocus 2026–2030

FemFocus part of policy framework ‘Focus'

FemFocus is part of the government’s ‘Focus’ policy framework. That policy framework aims to strengthen local civil society organisations, so that they can provide the necessary services and conduct dialogue to achieve the objectives of a total of 8 instruments. Local ownership is central to the policy framework. Funding models are simplified, with only a few layers: support partners (intermediaries) select, finance and strengthen in-country partners who design and implement activities in their own contexts.

What FemFocus supports:

1. Financing for in-country partners to carry out:
   • Service provision (e.g. healthcare, education and training, psychosocial support, protection, information). At least 30% of financing must be spent on service provision.
   • Dialogue with authorities, multilateral institutions, informal and religious leaders, and the private sector to promote policy change. Activities aimed at influencing policy within the Netherlands are not funded.
2. Capacity strengthening for in-country partners that is demand-driven and context-appropriate, reinforcing organisational, financial and programme management, thematic expertise, and the ability to engage in critical dialogue.

Key policy principles

• Local ownership and locally led development
• Demand-driven capacity strengthening
• Gender equality
• Conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm
• Simplified Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

The grant policy framework FemFocus contains 3 grant instruments, each tailored to a specific policy objective, with its own thematic focus, target group and geographical scope. The 3 instruments are:

• Encouraging women’s entrepreneurship (with available funding of €54,835,000)
• Combating violence against women and supporting women human rights defenders, (with available funding of €114,655,000)
• Women, peace and security (with available funding of €39,880,000).

Policy context and objectives per instrument

• Encouraging women’s entrepreneurship
  Women’s entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and sustainable development. Women often reinvest their profits in their families and communities, contributing to local employment and a stronger investment climate. Women entrepreneurs in many low- and middle income countries face significant barriers, such as limited access to formal markets and finance, and socio-cultural norms restricting their participation in the formal economy. The government supports women’s entrepreneurship as part of a sustainable economic agenda, particularly in Africa where the share of women entrepreneurs is relatively high. This instrument pursues the policy objectives to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship at the individual level and to remove socio-cultural and institutional barriers at the societal level, providing financial and capacity-strengthening support to local civil society organisations to reach women entrepreneurs and linking to other initiatives to enable further business growth.

• Combating violence against women and supporting women human rights defenders
  One in three women and girls worldwide experiences sexual or gender-based violence. The causes of violence against women and girls are complex and context-specific, with profound psychological and physical impact on victims, families and communities. Such violence reduces women’s participation in public life, increases healthcare costs for both women and society overall, and heightens the risk of future violence. Women’s rights defenders are facing growing pressure, both offline and online, with direct implications for their safety, their ability to act and for progress on women’s rights. Through this instrument, the government pursues the policy objectives to combat violence against women and girls, provide treatment and support to victims, and support women’s-rights defenders and women human-rights defenders.

• Women, peace and security
  The world is witnessing a rise in conflicts, wars and violent extremism, with women and girls disproportionately affected, including through conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In 2024, cases of CRSV increased by 25% compared with the previous year, with women and girls accounting for 92% of the victims. Survivors face stigma, exclusion and limited access to care and justice. Women play a crucial role in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding as mediators, first responders and peace negotiators, and peace is more likely to succeed when women are involved.
  Through this instrument the government contributes to strengthening women’s leadership in conflict prevention and mediation, ensuring meaningful participation and influence of women in formal and informal discussions and decision-making on peace and security, and supporting survivors and victims of CRSV, corresponding with the pillars of Participation and Protection in Security Council Resolution on women and peace and security (Resolution 1325) and NAP 1325-IV.

Geographic focus per instrument

• Encouraging women’s entrepreneurship: selected African countries where the Netherlands has trade and economic interests (applications should therefore target at least two of the following countries: Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Benin, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Uganda, Tunisia, Democratic Republic of Congo).
• Combating violence against women & WHRDs and Women, peace and security: West Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East and North Africa. Each application may cover one or two regions, with a minimum of two implementation countries per region.

How to apply

• Civil society organisations can apply for one of the instruments. Grants are awarded through a quality-based tender.
• Application window: 16 October (12:00 CEST) to 7 January 2026 (23:59 CEST).
• Submit in English using the prescribed forms and budget model to& DSO-MM@minbuza.nl, stating “application FemFocus (+ name of instrument).”

For full details on objectives, eligibility, assessment, timelines and required templates, please consult the Grant policy framework FemFocus 2026–2030.