From the 12th of April 2021, women’s organisations will be able to apply for new funding through the Empowering Women Fund, with grants from £500 – £25,000 available across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The Empowering Women Fund, part of the Labyrinth Project, is a Tampon Tax funded grant scheme led by Solace. It will provide funding to support small women’s groups and organisations to respond to the multiple issues affecting women’s lives that have been intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic. These issues range from violence against women and girls, to financial, employment and legal issues.
The funding aims to address the need for more joined-up, holistic, women-centred services, developing innovative ways of empowering women in their local area and building the capacity of small organisations.
Organisations can apply for seed funding grants of £500-£1,000, which are available to small women’s groups to establish and run micro empowerment projects in their local area that support women to build skills and confidence, and decrease social isolation. Larger Women’s Sector grants of £1,000 – £25,000 are also available for women’s groups and organisations to develop capacity to respond to changing needs in their communities.
The fund particularly welcomes applications from marginalised communities.
CEO of Solace said: “Solace is delighted to be launching its first grant scheme as part of the Labyrinth Project. Covid-19 is disproportionately affecting women, and the organisations that support them are doing everything they can to meet this extra need.
“The Empowering Women Fund will allow women’s organisations to help women navigate the complex issues they face and ensure that we have a strong and vibrant women’s sector in the future.
Solace CEO