This call for proposals is aimed at EL*C member organisations based outside of the EU (see the concrete list of countries under the “Eligibility Criteria” section). In case your organisation is based in the EU, please read our Lesbian Economic Power (EU), 2026 call for proposals.
EL*C – EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community is happy to announce its Lesbian Economic Power (EU), 2026 call for proposals! Our goal is to build capacities of EL*C member organizations outside of the European Union, in Europe and Central Asia, and support them in Empowering lesbians through Employment and Entrepreneurship and in Establishing Sustainable Income-Generating Models for Lesbian Organisations.
Please note that EL*C uses the term lesbian as inclusive of cis, trans and intersex women, and non- binary persons who self-identify as lesbian, bisexual, and queer.
Applicants meeting the following eligibility criteria will be considered for funding:
Applicants found ineligible will be informed within 2 weeks after the application deadline.
Within this call, we have two funding streams, and you must choose one.
Under this stream, lesbian organizations will be funded to design and deliver tailored activities aimed at improving lesbians’ access to sustainable and dignified employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
These activities aim to directly address the structural barriers that lesbian women face in accessing employment or starting businesses, such as discrimination, invisibility, limited access to formal support systems, and a lack of initial capital or expertise.
While Funding Stream 1 focuses on individual lesbians, Funding Stream 2 prioritizes the sustainability of lesbian organizations themselves, recognizing that long-term movement resilience depends on financial autonomy and organizational stability.
This stream will support lesbian organizations in designing, piloting, and scaling income-generating business initiatives – including social enterprises, cooperatives, or service-oriented business model – that can fund core operations of the organization, reduce reliance on short-term external funding, and strengthen their advocacy and community engagement.
By funding these activities, EL*C aims to empower lesbian organizations to generate their own income, expand their autonomy, and stabilize their presence in often-hostile and/or underfunded environments. These models may also serve as community hubs, safe employment spaces, and examples of queer economic solidarity in action.
Please note that Funding Stream 2 will be prioritized, with more resources allocated to it, given the strategic importance of building long-term sustainability of the lesbian movement.
Learn more about the two Funding Streams: core information, eligible activities, guidance on costs and financial planning, selection criteria and process, how to apply, registration for info sessions and questions, etc.
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