Illustration. /PHOTO; WIA
The 2026 edition of the Women for Zero Hunger programme is now open for applications, offering African organisations an opportunity to strengthen women’s economic autonomy and, in turn, improve food security across their communities.
Co-led by Stop Hunger and WIA Philanthropy, the initiative identifies and supports local organisations that implement innovative solutions to tackle hunger while empowering women as economic agents of change.
The programme recognises that women’s financial independence directly impacts household and community food security.
By focusing on income generation, skills development, and entrepreneurship, Women for Zero Hunger seeks to create ripple effects that extend beyond individual beneficiaries to entire communities.
Programme Structure and Support
This support programme will back three African organisations working to combat hunger and food insecurity, placing the economic empowerment of women and communities at the heart of the solutions.
Participants will receive funding, structured mentorship, technical guidance, and visibility opportunities to help their projects grow and achieve greater impact.
At the end of the mentoring phase, a jury will select one finalist organisation based on predefined criteria, recognising the initiative with the most promising outcomes for women and their communities.
By combining financial support with mentoring and visibility, the programme aims to ensure that these initiatives are scalable, sustainable, and high-impact.
Who Can Apply
The opportunity is open to local non-profit organisations operating in select African countries. Eligible countries for 2026 include Gabon, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Tunisia, Morocco, Ethiopia, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
Organisations must focus on women’s economic empowerment as a central element of their work, whether through skills training, entrepreneurial development, income-generating activities, or other interventions that directly improve women’s livelihoods and food security.
Applications should clearly demonstrate how the organisation’s initiatives address the intersection of women’s empowerment and hunger reduction.
Projects that combine measurable impact, innovation, and strong community engagement are particularly encouraged.
Benefits and Opportunities
Selected organisations will gain structured mentoring and technical support, helping strengthen organisational capacity, project design, and sustainability.
In addition, the programme offers visibility for participants, creating opportunities to showcase their work to potential partners, funders, and networks across Africa.
Funding is also a core component, enabling organisations to implement or expand high-impact projects targeting women and their communities.
Application Timeline
Applications for the 2026 Women for Zero Hunger programme are open from 12 January to 2 February 2026.
Interested organisations are encouraged to carefully review the programme’s website and resources before submitting their expressions of interest.
The online form collects information about the organisation’s mission, projects, impact, and capacity, allowing the selection committee to assess alignment with the programme’s goals.
For organisations committed to improving women’s economic autonomy and advancing food security in Africa, this programme represents an opportunity to access funding, mentorship, and regional visibility while joining a network of peers driving meaningful change.
Applications and further details are available via the programme website: https://wia-philanthropy.com/
