Spark Fund 2025 – Supporting Feminist Activism

Grant Opportunity: Spark Fund 2025 – Supporting Feminist Activism

Calling all young feminist changemakers: the Spark Fund 2025 is now open for applications. This initiative supports self-led groups and networks of women, girls, trans, and intersex people working on urgent, structural, and contested issues. The fund makes micro-grants that fuel grassroots organizing, empowerment, and rights-based projects.

🎯 Why the Spark Fund Exists

Designed to support emerging feminist activism, the Spark Fund prioritizes groups whose voices are often underrepresented in mainstream funding spaces. It enables small, high-impact actions—especially in environments where collective visibility is limited—targeted at transforming structural norms and advancing bodily and political autonomy.

💡 Key Features and Grant Details

• Funding Window: Applications open 1 to 31 August 2025, closing at 11:59 pm CEST

• Grant Size: Between €5,000 to €7,000 per project

• Eligibility:

  • Led by women, girls, trans, or intersex individuals whose rights are central

  • Organized from a feminist, rights-based perspective

  • Focused on structural change—not simply service delivery

  • Acts on issues that are contested or have social resistance in the Netherlands or ABCSSS islands

• Prioritized Groups: Small, informal or nascent groups with limited resources—no bank account or official registration needed

• Decision Process: Applications are reviewed by participatory youth panels—stakeholders guide criteria, review proposals, and award grants

✅ Types of Projects Funded

Eligible initiatives include (but are not limited to):

• Campaigns challenging gender-based violence or discriminatory laws

• Feminist digital organizing around reproductive justice or bodily autonomy

• Youth-led awareness or mobilization events

• Structural advocacy such as storytelling platforms or self-led community organizing

The emphasis is on innovation, inclusion, and leadership from within the communities most affected.

🧭 Application Criteria

Applications are evaluated using these criteria:

1. Leadership & Ownership: The people directly affected must lead decision-making.

2. Urgency & Impact: The project addresses an immediate and contested issue within the target region.

3. Structural Vision: Outcome is oriented toward broad change—not just one-off action.

4. Financial Realism: Budget aligns with project scope; clear deliverables and timelines.

5. Inclusivity: Prioritizes marginalized voices, including informal or grassroots groups

✍ How to Apply

1. Gather basic information: group name, leadership, region

2. Outline your project concept: problem statement, activities, expected impact

3. Prepare a budget plan: show how €5k–€7k will be used efficiently

4. Describe how you will measure or verify impact authentically

5. Ensure feminist leadership is central to planning and decision-making

You’ll submit the application online in written, audio, or video form—whichever feels most accessible to your team.

💡 Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on one clear action with concrete goals

• Keep your budget tight and justified by planned activities

• Center affected people in leadership and decision-making

• Show significance for broader mobilization or organizing

• Use testimonials, stories, or visuals to emphasize relevance

• Don’t worry about formal organisation status—informal or volunteer-led groups are welcome

📅 Timeline & Decision Process

• Applications close: 31 August 2025

• Final decisions: Announcements by mid-October 2025

• Next Steps: Selected groups receive grants and may be invited to join follow-up sessions or mentoring

🖱 Apply Online

Do you represent or belong to a feminist group leading change?

✅ Apply Online Now

Submit your project narrative, leadership details, and budget through the secure application portal. Ensure your proposal is submitted by 31 August 2025 at 11:59 pm CEST.

🌍 Why This Matters

The Spark Fund allows small-scale justice work to flourish:

• Empowers activists in contested, underfunded areas

• Offers agile, targeted funding built by and for those most affected

• Encourages structural and political change through feminist-led action

• Removes usual barriers like formal registration or institutional prerequisites

📋 Summary Table