Supporting Grantees’ Growth for Wider Transformation

As part of its Strategic Plan (SP) mandate, WFT-Trust has continued to support its grantees, women's rights organizations, and grassroots groups in strengthening their institutional capacities.

The support, that helps the grantees to fulfill their mandates, has been provided in various forms, such as financial and non-financial assistance. In addition to financial support, WFTT connects grantees with other potential funding and learning opportunities by recommending or linking them to alternative funding sources.

The capacity support has enhanced grantees and coalition members' understanding of transformative feminist approaches and how to incorporate them into their issue analysis and interventions.

Moreover, the support enabled some grantees to access funding and learning opportunities from other sources. Her Initiative is one such beneficiary of support from Women Fund Tanzania. The organization began its engagement with Women Fund Tanzania in 2020. WFTT has supported the organization in economically empowering young girls through the Panda Digital platform.

In connection to that, Her Initiative recently received two prestigious awards recognizing their efforts in empowering young women and girls in Tanzania. The first award is the 2023-2024 KBF Africa Prize, presented by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF) based in Belgium. This award acknowledges their work in advancing women’s rights, tackling youth unemployment, and driving sustainable development across East Africa. The prize includes a grant of €200,000 (over 560 million Tanzanian shillings), which will significantly boost their efforts to empower more women. The award ceremony took place at the Royal Palace of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium, in the presence of the King and Queen of Belgium, and was attended by the WFT-T Country Director.

Additionally, in April, the Executive Director was awarded the Global Citizen Prize 2024 for her dedication to promoting gender equality, dismantling the shackles of poverty, and promoting economic empowerment for girls and young women.

Her Initiative Executive Director shares their HerStory and what it means to all young women and girls in Tanzania. Contribution of Women Fund Tanzania in their Journey

WFTT Contribution Women Fund Tanzania (WFT) has been a cornerstone in the journey of Her Initiative. As one of our first funders, WFT’s early support was crucial in establishing our organization and laying the foundation for our programmes. Their financial support enabled us to launch our initial projects and continuously invest in the Panda Digital platform, the first Swahili hybrid e-learning platform that combines a website and AI SMS technology. This platform provides young women with access to skills, opportunities, personalized business support, and social justice, empowering them to start and run successful businesses. Beyond funding, WFT offered mentorship and capacity-building opportunities, helping us develop strong organizational structures and strategies. This support allowed us to form essential partnerships and networks, amplifying our impact and reach. WFT's belief in our vision and continuous support has been instrumental in our growth and success, enabling us to touch the lives of over 15,000 young women and girls since our inception.

Meaning of these Awards to Her Initiative and Young Women and Girls in Tanzania “Receiving these prestigious awards hold profound significance for Her Initiative and the young women and girls we serve in Tanzania. For our organization, these accolades bring international recognition, enhancing our visibility and credibility on the global scale. They validate our approach and methodologies, reinforcing our commitment to addressing gender-based challenges and fostering economic empowerment. This recognition also opens doors to new opportunities for collaboration and funding, enabling us to expand our programmes and impact. For the young women and girls in Tanzania, these awards symbolize hope and validation. They serve as a powerful reminder that their dreams and efforts are valuable and achievable. The recognition underscores the importance of their empowerment in driving societal change and economic development. It provides tangible proof that their voices and struggles are being heard and addressed, inspiring them to continue striving for their goals and breaking the cycle of poverty:

Adding Value to Her Initiative’s Efforts through Panda Digital “The achievements and financial support accompanying these awards will significantly enhance our efforts through the Panda Digital platform. With the resources provided, we plan to scale the platform to reach more women, especially those in remote areas with limited internet access. We will develop more comprehensive and diverse courses tailored to the specific needs of young women, providing them with the education, skills, and resources necessary to enter the job market or start their own businesses”. Additionally, we aim to enhance the technological infrastructure of Panda Digital to ensure a seamless and effective learning experience. The expanded outreach will enable us to support 100,000 women over the next five years, fostering greater digital inclusion and economic empowerment. These accomplishments provide the momentum needed to drive our mission forward, helping us create a network of empowered young women and girls who can contribute to inclusive economic growth in Tanzania and beyond.

The success of Her Initiative is a testament to how the support of Women Fund Tanzania contributes to the growth of the organization and its connection to other opportunities. From January to June 2024, WFT recommended more than 15 women's rights organizations to regional feminist funders around Africa and beyond.