UN Women SAFE Project Grant 2026: US$50,000–100,000 for Youth-Led Organisations in Nigeria

Is your organisation working to protect women and girls, online or offline? UN Women is offering funding of US$50,000 to US$100,000, and Nigerian organisations can apply.

What Is the UN Women SAFE Project Call for Proposals?

UN Women's SAFE project, supported by the Ford Foundation, addresses violence against women and girls across community and digital spaces in West Africa. The call is titled Community-Led Advocacy and Digital Spaces for the Safety of Women and Girls in West Africa.  

The youth-focused call selects organisations to generate and spread alternative narratives that challenge discriminatory gender norms, counter online misogyny and promote non-violent masculinities. The work blends social media content with offline advocacy, such as videos, podcasts, digital comics, campaigns and community dialogues. 

The project responds to a serious problem. UN Women points to harmful social norms, toxic masculinities and emerging technology-facilitated abuse like AI-generated deepfakes as threats to women and girls across the region. 

Gender-based violence, harmful social norms, tech-facilitated abuse, youth and feminist leadership

The funding range and expected duration come from UN Women's SAFE call listings, which put awards at USD 50,000–100,000 for an expected 20-month assignment. 

Are Nigerians Eligible?

Yes. Implementation will focus on Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana, so Nigerian organisations are directly in scope. This is a grant for organisations, not individuals. 

Who Can Apply?

•According to the flyer, the call is open to:

•Youth organisations and youth-led networks

•Feminist youth organisations

•Civil society organisations (CSOs) with a strong youth constituency in West Africa

UN Women also encourages partnerships with women-led, young women-led, youth-led, feminist and grassroots organisations, especially where they strengthen delivery and sustainability.

Other requirements to note:

•Applicants must operate in West Africa, show a comparative advantage in Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana, and have English and French working capacity.

•Organisations generally need five years of operation, though three years may be accepted exceptionally with full justification.  

There are two separate SAFE calls: one for youth organisations and one for feminist or women's rights organisations. Applicants to one may not also apply to the other. Choose the one that fits you. 

Deadline

1 November 2026. Some websites list earlier dates because the call was first published with a different deadline. Always confirm on the official UN Women page before you submit.

How to Apply

•Read the full call for proposals and its annexes.

•Check that your organisation meets the age, registration and language requirements.

•Prepare your concept, budget and organisational documents.

Submit before the deadline.

👉 Application link (from the official flyer): https://lnkd.in/edxsx39Y

👉 UN Women Africa official calls page: Read the SAFE call on africa.unwomen.org https://africa.unwomen.org/en/programme-implementation/2026/10/unw-wca-cfp-2026-003-community-led-advocacy-and-digital-spaces-for-the-safety-of-women-and-girls-in-west-africa

Beware of scams: UN Women's official contacts use @unwomen.org addresses, such as safeyouthcfp@unwomen.org for the youth call. Never pay anyone to "process" or "guarantee" a UN grant.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

•Show your youth credentials. Make your youth leadership or youth constituency obvious.

•Prove your track record. Include evidence of past advocacy, campaigns or community work.

•Link online and offline work. Funders want digital content tied to real community protection pathways.

•Name your partners. Collaboration with grassroots and women-led groups is encouraged.

•Plan for safeguarding. Digital safety and survivor-centred approaches are central.

Funding of this size can scale a small organisation's impact. If your team works on gender justice, digital safety or youth advocacy, don't let this one pass.

🔔 Don't Miss the Next Opportunity!

New grants, fellowships and funding calls for Nigerians and Africans open every week, and many close fast. Bookmark Ganarious Blog, subscribe to our updates, and check back every week so the next deadline doesn't catch you off guard. Know an organisation that fits? Share this post with them today.