Solidarity Fund donates R75m to fight GBV

The Solidarity Fund has opened applications for funding to organisations that run programmes to help fight gender-based violence (GBV).

This is the second phase of GBV support. “The second phase has been allocated R75m to support approximately 360 organisations, with 75% going towards communitybased support and 25% targeting programmes achieving systemic change,” said the Solidarity Fund in a statement.

Successful applicants will get a once-off grant ranging from R50,000 to R250,000 .

Applicants should be CBOs [community-based organisations] that perform or support crucial activities and services related to addressing genderbased violence [ GBV] across the country,” said the fund.

The three broad categories for applications include:

(1) Prevention providing: communication/information; safe spaces; programmes that focus on counselling, positive parenting, skills development and economic empowerment, addressing gender norms, and sexual and reproductive health and rights;

(2) Response – providing: trauma counselling; maintenance of shelter services; programmes to improve access to emergency response; support and capacity-building for community caregivers; access to protection services;

(3) Access to justice - provision of non-profit and/or free legal and paralegal support services or support to victims in criminal justice system.

Wendy Tlou, executive head of the humanitarian and behaviour change pillars at the organisation, said “the aim of this intervention is to offer much-needed financial support to organisations providing GBV-related services ”.

This will enable them to continue operating and/or improve their service offering, thereby ensuring the continued availability of critical services that are impactful inpreventing abuse...” said Tlou.

Applications for funding opened yesterday and close on November 18.