Women and girls are uniquely impacted by COVID-19
and they are critical to the recovery and long-term resilience of companies, communities, and countries.
Women and girls are uniquely impacted by COVID-19
and they are critical to the recovery and long-term resilience of companies, communities, and countries.
What is FREE​ GROW
The FREE Fund invests in sustainable solutions to enhance economic resilience and empower adolescent girls, young women, and their communities. FREE is envisioned as a pooled funding mechanism designed to support the needs of adolescent girls and young women.
The first iteration of FREE Grow will focus specifically on women and girls in the floriculture, tea, and coffee sectors in East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania).
VISION & MISSION
FREE GROW will support proposals that advance women’s economic resilience in value chains and align with the vision and mission of the Fund.
VISION
Through this fund, women are empowered to thrive in agricultural value chains through advancing gender equality practices and promoting economic and climate resilience.
MISSION
FREE Grow invests in local organisations that use intersectional approaches to advance gender equality in agricultural communities connected to global value chains.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
FREE is making decisions using participatory grantmaking models where an Advisory Committee comprised of five women leaders and regional panels of young women have the power over funding decisions. By creating a more equitable granting model, the Fund will be more likely to identify and choose the most effective programmes and support them in achieving maximum impact.
Between our Advisory Committee, who is making key decisions about eligibility criteria and grantmaking, and these regional panels, the applications will go through an anonymous screening process to ensure fairness in the selection process.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Advisory Committee is comprised of women from East Africa who are making key decisions about the FREE Fund to ensure a fair process. The Regional Peer Panellists are also women from the target countries who review and score the applications. All members of the committee and panel were selected based on their expertise in grantmaking, gender justice, feminist principles, inclusion and economic empowerment. The Advisory Committee and Regional Peer Panellists have committed to a Conflict of Interest statement that will guide their decision-making process within their FREE Fund responsibilities.
esther muhia -kenya
Hadijah Nankanja -Uganda
Hibiete tesfaye - ethiopia
solange umutoni- rwanda
katusime kafanabo - tanzania
Regional Peer PanelistS
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Honorine Utamuriza -Rwanda
Fathila Nanozi -Uganda
Cynthia Cheshari- Kenya
Samrawit Solomon -Ethiopia
Elizabeth Kiende Njenga -Kenya
Glory Sandewa-Tanzania
Mireille Kazungu -Rwanda
Mastewal Habtamu -Ethiopia
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