CATALYSTS Call for Expressions of Interest 2025: Grants for Shifting Social Norms on Abortion Care in East Africa: (Deadline 15 May, 2025)

Apply Now: CATALYSTS Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) – Sub-Grants for Innovative Initiatives on Abortion Care and Reproductive Justice in East Africa

CATALYSTS Africa has announced an open call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from civil society organizations and grassroots groups in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The initiative seeks to provide sub-grants ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 to support emerging, innovative projects that shift negative social norms and amplify positive narratives around abortion care and reproductive justice.

CATALYSTS is a dynamic, grassroots-driven consortium formed by organizations including IPPF Africa Regional Office, Ipas Africa Alliance, the Centre for Reproductive Rights, Population Council-Kenya, and FIGO. The core group has recently expanded to include locally-led organizations such as Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights-Tanzania (WGNRR), Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), and Women Pro Bono Initiative (WPI). Together, they are committed to mobilizing collective action, promoting technical excellence, and fostering a positive shift in societal attitudes toward abortion rights across East Africa.

About the Catalytic Fund

The Catalytic Fund aims to invest in projects that challenge harmful stereotypes, tackle stigma, and promote safe abortion as a critical component of health and human rights. Recognizing that negative social norms and misinformation severely restrict access to abortion services, this fund is designed to spark innovative, community-driven efforts that bring lasting change.

What Kind of Initiatives are Funded?

CATALYSTS is particularly interested in supporting initiatives that demonstrate:

• Effectiveness: Initiatives with clear potential or proven track records in shifting social norms and advancing reproductive rights.
• Innovation: Novel methods including digital media storytelling, culturally sensitive engagement, artistic interventions (theatre, film, visual arts), and youth-led dialogues.
• Community Engagement: Programs rooted in the lived experiences of communities, encouraging participatory and inclusive approaches.
• Scalability: Models that offer the potential for replication or expansion across different contexts.
• Intersectionality: Projects that connect abortion rights with broader themes like gender equality, health equity, and social justice.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered civil society organizations (CSOs), grassroots groups, and community-based organizations operating in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
• Emerging or unregistered groups that can demonstrate strong accountability mechanisms.
• Organizations that are youth-led or women-led, with a proven commitment to advancing reproductive justice.
• Groups using innovative strategies such as community engagement, storytelling, cultural expressions, and digital media campaigns focused on abortion rights.
• How

Application Guidelines

Interested applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) (maximum 1000 words) that includes:

1. Organizational Profile (250 words max):
   • Name, location, operational reach, key achievements related to abortion rights, and current annual budget.
2. Proposed Initiative (500 words max):
   • Title, description of the innovative approach, target audience, geographic focus, objectives, and expected outcomes.
3. Implementation Plan:
   • Activities and timelines (6-12 months), anticipated challenges, and mitigation strategies.
4. Budget:
   • Estimated budget breakdown with a short narrative justification (250 words max).
5. Additional Information:
   • Monitoring and evaluation strategies (250 words max), partnerships or collaborations (100 words max), and examples of previous relevant work (if applicable).

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be assessed based on:

• Alignment with CATALYSTS’ objectives.
• Level of innovation and creativity.
• Feasibility and sustainability of the proposed initiative.
• Potential for measurable impact on shifting social norms.
• Inclusion of underrepresented voices, especially youth and marginalized communities.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: May 15, 2025

All EOIs must be submitted via email to email.
For inquiries, contact Judith Otieno at here.

How To Apply

All eligible candidates should visit here

Conclusion

This is an opportunity to be part of a transformative movement advancing reproductive rights and access to safe abortion care in East Africa. CATALYSTS invites dynamic organizations and groups to join the mission to challenge harmful narratives and inspire positive societal change. Together, we can catalyze new conversations, shift norms, and ensure that reproductive justice becomes a reality for all.

Apply today and help shape the future of reproductive rights across Africa.

For more opportunities, visit here