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The March 8 Fund

Read this page in detail before applying!!!

The GRÓ GEST March 8 Fund finances projects promoting gender equality and social justice, led by GEST alumni. Through the fund, GEST issues calls for proposals that focus on advancing gender equality and promoting gender transformative approaches to achieve social change.

The last deadline for submissions is on Sunday, 19 April 2025. Proposal and budget must be sent to gest@hi.is, CC to tbs@hi.is with the subject line "March 8 Fund 2026". Applications not sent to both of these email addresses or with a different subject line may be lost and not considered.

Click here for Project Proposal Template | Budget Template

 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funding in 2026, proposed projects must:

  • Be implemented in Africa by GRÓ GEST alumni residing in Africa for the duration of the project.*
  • Be initiated and managed from start to finish by alumni of the GEST programme, who must function as main applicants and those ultimately responsible for implementing the project.
  • Be carried out in a least developed, low income, or lower middle income country featuring on the last updated DAC List of ODA Recipients.
  • Have a primary focus on advancing gender equality and promoting gender transformative approaches to achieve social change, with these priorities clearly reflected in its activities and strategies.
  • Be initiated at the latest in the latter half of 2026.
  • Be co-funded by the applicant's home organisation or partner organisation by at least 30%.
  • Be implemented through a formally registered organisation where the applicant is employed full-time and which is able to receive and manage grant funds directly through its own bank account.

Funding will not be granted for:

  • Projects carried out in Upper Middle Income Countries or Territories or by alumni residing in these countries.
  • Projects financed wholly or in part by the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
  • Projects requiring a fiscal host, intermediary organisation, or third-party financial management structure.
  • Projects that are not co-funded by the applicant's organisation.
  • Activities that submit a budget in a currency other than Euros.
  • Proposals submitted at any point after the deadline.
  • Incomplete proposals (all mandatory fields not filled in or proposals without the requisite attached documentation).
  • General organisational running costs, such as office utilities, electricity, printing, rent, or similar operational expenses that are not directly related to specific project activities.
  • Political party organizations.
  • Private individuals.
  • Activities whose purpose is to generate a profit or equivalent for the funding beneficiary.

Priorities

The GEST Programme relates to key UN instruments relevant to gender equality and the protection of women’s rights and fundamental freedoms, most notably the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) and the Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000). Our work feeds directly into:

  • SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; pertains to all targets;
  • SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries, targets 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.6 and 10B in particular; and
  • SDG 16 - Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies, targets 16.2; 16.3; 16.7; 16.8; 16A and 16B in particular.

The work of the GEST programme is founded on the principles of integrity, ethical and respectful engagement, accountability, dialogue and mutual learning, and innovation in the field of social change.

How are applications assessed?

The March 8 Fund does not prioritise particular thematic agendas. Decisions about which gender equality challenges to address are determined by GRÓ GEST alumni working in their own contexts. Instead, the assessment focuses on whether the proposed initiative can be realistically implemented and produce meaningful impact relative to the resources requested.

While the fund allows flexibility during project implementation, priority will be given to proposals that present clear, realistic, and achievable plans that can be carried out largely as described.

Applications will therefore be assessed based on how well the proposal:

  • Demonstrates realistic impact and value for money, showing that the scale of expected outcomes is proportionate to the funding requested.
  • Presents a feasible implementation plan, including a clear and achievable timeline, well-defined activities, and realistic expectations about what can be accomplished within the project period.
  • Clearly describes the gender equality challenge being addressed, including how the applicants have identified the problem in their specific context.
  • Demonstrates the applicants’ understanding of the issue, drawing on relevant experience, knowledge, or theoretical perspectives.
  • Identifies the intended beneficiaries, including their number, profile, and the needs the project seeks to address.
  • Shows awareness of existing initiatives, research, or prior work related to the issue, and explains how the proposed project contributes to advancing change in this context.

Additionally, projects that demonstrate meaningful cooperation between alumni from different countries, in a way that strengthens cross-regional partnerships and shared learning, will receive special attention in the selection process. Moreover, the applicant’s history of integrity, ethical and respectful engagement, accountability, and work ethic during their time in the GEST Programme, as well as the applicant’s history of engagement in the GEST Alumni Network, will be taken into consideration.

How much can I apply for?
The call comprises of maximum of €10.000 per project.

Former GEST fellows applying for grants need to be able to demonstrate that their organizations or partner organizations will contribute to the full cost of the project by at least 30%. The project’s own contribution (i.e. external funding) and/or other sources of funding could come from sponsorship or other financial contributions, salaries or participant fees. This must be demonstrated in the budget.

Funding cannot be used for audits, travel between countries, or for running costs such as rent, electricity, IT, etc. Successful applicants may be granted a lower total amount of funding than they have applied for in all or in parts of their applications.

Reporting
Funding recipients must hand in a short interim report half-way through the project in addition to a final project report + budget detailing actual expenses at the latest two months after the end of the project. Receipts and other documentation must be produced upon request.

* Regional eligibility note: Beginning in 2026, the March 8 Fund will introduce a rotating regional focus in order to ensure a fairer and more balanced competition among applicants. In 2026, applications are open to alumni residing in Africa. In 2027, applications will be open to alumni residing in Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Ukraine.