The Gender Equality Fund (GEF) program is a three-year consortium initiative led by the Global Network of Youth Living with HIV (Y+ Global).
It is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, GSK and ViiV Healthcare.
GEF collaborates with women and girls in all their diversity and their organizations to design, implement, influence and advocate for transformative and gender-affirming approaches to health. The primary goal is to reduce the incidence of HIV and TB among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and contribute to the goal of ending HIV and TB by 2030.
The GEF in Nigeria focuses on six priority states – Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Lagos, Oyo and Rivers – to deliver more integrated advocacy approaches that benefit a broader range of health outcomes for women, men and children and gender-diverse communities through the following approaches:
Provide small grants to AGYW-led and AGYW-serving organizations to strengthen their advocacy work for gender transformation, integrating the key priorities of HIV, TB, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.
Support AGYW across their diversity in the six priority states of Nigeria to effectively influence and advocate for gender-integrated transformative policies and programs that promote health, well-being and rights in the areas of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
To strengthen the technical capacities of adolescent girls and women in all their diversity, with a focus on TB, malaria and gender in particular, and to develop their leadership skills through a TB Leadership Academy.
Funding information
Organizations managed by AGYW/AGYW can select up to 2 aspirations and apply for up to 16,000 euros for 2 years from 2025 to 2026.
Funding Priorities
GEF prioritizes applications from diverse organizations led by or serving AGYW who work directly with them.
It is important that funding focuses on AGYW aged 15-29, including those living with HIV, with disabilities, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+), who live in conflict-affected areas, who reside in rural areas, who inject or use drugs, who engage in sex work, who are pregnant or new mothers.
Who should apply? Are you an AGYW-led or service-based organization working in one of the following states in Nigeria: Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Lagos, Oyo or Rivers? Is your organization registered in Nigeria? If not, are you affiliated with an organization that could serve as a fiscal sponsor? Do you have experience in implementing HIV, TB, malaria and sexual and reproductive health programs targeting AGYW in all their diversity? Does your work highlight the diverse needs, experiences, and leaders of AGYW in all their diversity?
To apply for a Gender Equality Fund grant for 2025-2026, download and complete the application form and budget template from (https://www.yplusglobal.org/work-with-us-rfp-gender-equality-fund-nigeria ). Send these documents to gef@yplusglobal.org by January 15, 2025. Please note that all sections of the template must be completed in full for your application to be considered.