Womens Amplified Voices in the Economy (WAVE)

The Women’s Amplified Voices in the Economy (WAVE) funding opportunity, led by the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) at the U.S. Department of State, aims to bolster grassroots women-led networks and coalitions to overcome systemic barriers to economic security. The initiative addresses entrenched challenges, including unequal access to resources and decision-making power, harmful gender norms, and a lack of institutional support for women-led organizations. It seeks to advance women's economic opportunities and rights, aligning with broader U.S. strategies on gender equity and economic security. The total available funding is $3,453,379, with anticipated awards ranging from $3,000,000 to $3,453,379. Up to two cooperative agreements will be awarded, emphasizing significant federal involvement in project execution. Each project is expected to span three to four years, with a start date of September 30, 2025. While cost-sharing is not required, proposals must demonstrate robust partnerships, particularly with local organizations, and allocate at least 40% of the funding to local activities. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and international nonprofit organizations, think tanks, civil society/non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and public or private educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate experience managing large-scale programs in women’s economic empowerment and foster partnerships with grassroots organizations. Public international organizations and for-profit entities are excluded as primary applicants but may serve as sub-awardees. Proposals should focus on non-U.S. beneficiaries in eligible countries, with priority regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, South Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere. Applications begin with a five-page Statement of Interest (SOI) due by February 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. SOIs must outline the program concept, proposed activities, target countries, and expected results. Submissions should also identify consortium members and describe their roles. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit detailed proposals. Required registrations include SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Projects must align with WAVE’s goals to strengthen women-led coalitions, promote equitable access to economic opportunities, and address harmful gender norms. Illustrative activities include advocacy for policy reforms, technical support for women-led organizations, private sector engagement, and locally led interventions to address context-specific challenges. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans are required, with at least one outcome indicator per objective. Proposals must also adhere to principles of equity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Evaluation criteria include organizational capacity, project strategy, gender and inclusion analysis, local engagement, and sustainability. SOIs will be rated as "Very Competitive," "Competitive," or "Not Competitive" based on alignment with program goals, feasibility, and potential impact. Selected applicants will proceed to a second phase for full proposal submission and review. Questions about the solicitation must be submitted by January 24, 2025. Submissions are accepted only through MyGrants or Grants.gov, and late applications will not be considered. Awardees will be required to adhere to S/GWI’s specific guidelines, including risk assessments, gender analyses, and quarterly progress reports detailing activities, results, and success stories.