Our Voices, Our Environment: The State of Funding for Women’s Environmental Action, is the first-ever benchmarking of philanthropic funding in support of women and the environment. The report includes 34 interviews with funders, local women leaders, and regional and international advocates. It offers insights about the funding landscape, highlights lessons learned and funding strategies from peer grantmakers already active at this nexus, and provides funding opportunities and guidance from women advocates.
Key findings include:
- Most funders currently supporting women and the environment show limited engagement.
- Among the 12 environmental issues tracked, agriculture and food security received the highest amount of support.
- Funders share common challenges when considering whether and how to fund women’s environmental action, including where limited resources can make the greatest impact.
- Women’s funds, environmental funds, and other local funds connect peers to grassroots groups focused on women and the environment.
How environmental funders can support women’s environmental leadership
- Listen to women most affected by environmental challenges, and support their participation in decision-making.
- Fund training and capacity building for women on technical environmental information and processes.
- Recognise and help address increased threats to women who work to protect the environment and fight climate change.
- Facilitate women’s organizations’ engagement with national and global climate policy and finance architecture.
- Support exchanges between environmental groups and women’s groups, and strengthen cross-movement sharing.
Authors: Eva Rehse and Ursula Miniszewski
Source: Global Greengrants Fund
