Deadline: Rolling basis
ActionAid Nigeria, with support from Global Affairs Canada through the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project, is inviting eligible organisations to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Strategic Opportunity Fund (SOF).
The Strategic Opportunity Fund is a rapid-response funding mechanism established to support short-term, high-impact initiatives that promote and protect the rights of women and girls in Nigeria. This fund enables swift and strategic action in moments of opportunity or crisis to advance gender equality and justice.
About the Strategic Opportunity Fund
The Strategic Opportunity Fund offers timely financial support to women’s rights organisations, networks, and women human rights defenders who need to respond urgently to emerging issues affecting women and girls. It is designed to address critical gaps, sustain advocacy efforts, and strengthen rapid response to threats against women’s rights.
Fund Categories
Applicants may apply under one of the following three categories:
1. Emergency Intervention Fund
This category supports immediate responses to crises or emergencies such as conflicts, natural disasters, or other urgent situations where women and girls are at risk. It enables rapid interventions that ensure safety, protection, and recovery for affected groups.
2. Critical Intervention Fund
The Critical Intervention Fund provides financial assistance for strategic advocacy or short-term opportunities that influence policy change, amplify women’s voices, or address emerging gender justice issues. It focuses on time-sensitive advocacy that can create lasting social impact.
3. Women Human Rights Defenders Intervention Fund
This fund offers emergency assistance and protection to women human rights defenders who face threats, violence, or persecution as a result of their activism. It helps ensure their safety and continued engagement in promoting women’s rights and equality.
Who Can Apply
The Strategic Opportunity Fund is open to:
- Women’s rights organisations
- Women’s rights networks
- Women human rights defenders
All applicants must be women-led and operating within Nigeria.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Strategic Opportunity Fund, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be actively involved in promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social justice.
- Propose an intervention that is strategic, time-sensitive, and capable of achieving measurable results.
- Demonstrate the capacity to implement the intervention swiftly and effectively.
- Prioritise initiatives that benefit structurally excluded groups, such as women with disabilities, survivors of gender-based violence, or women living in conflict-affected regions.
Only one application per organisation is allowed, and applicants must choose only one category.
Available Funding
Each category of the Strategic Opportunity Fund has specific grant amounts:
- Emergency Intervention Fund: up to ₦10,000,000 per grant
- Critical Intervention Fund: ₦6,000,000 per grant
- Women Human Rights Defenders Intervention Fund: ₦17,711,495 per grant
Application Timeline and Process
- Call Launch Date: 22 January 2026
- Application Basis: Rolling (applications will be reviewed throughout the year, subject to fund availability)
How to Apply
Interested applicants must:
- Complete the official application and budget templates.
- Send the completed documents via email to rwvl.sofgrant@actionaid.org.
- Use the subject line: Strategic Opportunity Fund – [Selected Category].
Note: Applications not submitted with the official templates will be automatically disqualified. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Key Notes
- Each applicant may submit only one application.
- Applications must follow the required templates strictly.
- The fund operates on a rolling basis, allowing flexibility for timely submissions throughout the year.
Conclusion
The Expression of Interest – Strategic Opportunity Fund is a unique opportunity for women’s rights organisations and advocates to access financial support that drives real change for women and girls across Nigeria. By empowering women’s groups to act swiftly and strategically, this fund contributes to a stronger, more inclusive movement for gender equality and social justice.
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
