The FIMI Ayni Fund is offering a significant global funding opportunity for Indigenous Women-led organizations and community projects. This initiative, which opened on June 1, 2026, aims to support groups working to strengthen community rights, leadership, well-being, sustainability, and collective empowerment. The application period runs until June 30, 2026.
The Ayni Fund, a program of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI), goes beyond just providing financial grants. It also offers technical accompaniment, mentorship, and ongoing guidance to help projects succeed. This program recognizes the crucial role Indigenous Women play in protecting cultural heritage, safeguarding territories, promoting climate resilience, and advancing social justice worldwide. The fund’s philosophy is rooted in the Indigenous concept of “Ayni,” which means reciprocity, solidarity, and mutual support.
About the FIMI Ayni Fund
The International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) established the Ayni Fund to advance the rights, leadership, and collective empowerment of Indigenous Women globally. The fund’s name, “Ayni,” reflects a core principle of Indigenous traditions: the importance of giving back, working together, and caring for one another. This philosophy guides the fund’s approach to community development and supporting Indigenous Women’s leadership. The program aims to build stronger community structures by supporting projects that focus on collective rights, Indigenous Women’s leadership, community resilience, protecting lands and resources, sustainable development, and preserving Indigenous knowledge. The fund values community-led change that is guided by Indigenous wisdom, self-determination, and cultural identity.
What the Ayni Fund Offers
The FIMI Ayni Fund provides a dual approach to support, offering both financial resources and practical guidance. This comprehensive assistance is designed to help selected organizations maximize their project’s impact and ensure its long-term success.
Financial Grant Support
Successful applicants will receive direct funding to carry out their proposed projects. This financial support can be used for a variety of activities, including community projects, advocacy efforts, building skills and knowledge, cultural initiatives, programs focused on climate resilience, leadership development, and grassroots organizing. The funding is intended to provide the necessary resources for these important initiatives to take root and grow.
Technical Accompaniment
Beyond financial aid, the program offers continuous technical support throughout the entire project cycle. This includes assistance with developing project plans, strengthening organizational structures, strategic planning, and help with monitoring and evaluating progress. Organizations also receive access to useful tools and resources, along with ongoing mentorship. This holistic support helps organizations build their capacity and work more effectively, contributing to their long-term sustainability and success.
Priority Thematic Areas for 2026
The Ayni Fund is looking for projects that focus on community transformation within seven key areas. These themes highlight the diverse challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous communities and the vital work being done by Indigenous Women.
Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Women
Projects in this area may focus on developing entrepreneurship skills, supporting cooperative businesses, creating sustainable ways for people to earn a living, promoting economic inclusion, fostering financial independence, offering skills training, and supporting community-based businesses. The goal is to help Indigenous Women gain greater control over their economic futures.
Access and Rights to Land and Territorial Resources
This theme supports initiatives that advocate for land rights, protect Indigenous territories, promote responsible resource governance, strengthen Indigenous sovereignty, advance environmental justice, and improve community management of natural resources. These projects are crucial for maintaining the connection between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands.
Climate Change Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction
The fund supports projects that help communities adapt to climate change, promote environmental sustainability, utilize traditional ecological knowledge, prepare for disasters, build resilient community systems, and implement nature-based solutions. These efforts are vital for protecting communities from the impacts of a changing climate.
Prevention and Elimination of Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls
Projects here may focus on preventing gender-based violence, establishing protection systems, raising awareness, empowering individuals with legal knowledge, providing support services for survivors, and conducting community education. These initiatives aim to create safer environments for Indigenous Women and girls.
Political Participation and Advocacy
The fund encourages projects that promote civic engagement, increase Indigenous representation in decision-making bodies, develop leadership skills, facilitate policy engagement, support advocacy campaigns, and mobilize communities. These efforts aim to give Indigenous Women a stronger voice in political processes.
Holistic Health, Well-Being, and Care
Projects in this area can address mental health, community wellness programs, traditional healing practices, maternal health, nutrition, collective care systems, and improving access to healthcare services. The focus is on supporting the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Indigenous Wisdom, Art, Culture, and Sports
This theme supports initiatives that preserve Indigenous languages, protect cultural heritage, promote traditional arts, encourage storytelling, support music and dance, engage youth through sports, and facilitate the transmission of knowledge between generations. These projects help keep Indigenous cultures vibrant and alive.
Who Can Apply?
The 2026 call is specifically for Indigenous Women-led groups and organizations that have not received support from the Ayni Fund before. The program welcomes applications from community-based groups, grassroots organizations, Indigenous Women’s collectives, local advocacy groups, regional Indigenous organizations, and national Indigenous Women’s networks. Both small community projects and larger national or regional initiatives are encouraged to apply, recognizing the diverse needs and scales of work within Indigenous communities.
Types of Projects Supported
The Ayni Fund values a wide range of project approaches and sizes. Eligible proposals can include small grassroots initiatives that address local needs, projects that work across multiple communities or regions, national campaigns focused on policy change and rights advocacy, projects dedicated to preserving cultural practices, and programs designed to build leadership skills and organizational sustainability for Indigenous Women. This broad scope ensures that various types of impactful work can be supported.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Indigenous Women are often at the forefront of critical global issues, including environmental protection, cultural preservation, climate action, and human rights advocacy. Despite their vital contributions, Indigenous Women-led organizations frequently struggle with limited funding and institutional support. The Ayni Fund aims to close this gap by directly supporting Indigenous Women’s leadership and their self-determined solutions. This initiative is particularly important given the current challenges of climate change, territorial conflicts, cultural erosion, gender inequality, and social exclusion. By investing in these organizations, the program contributes to building stronger and more resilient communities worldwide.
Implementation Guide and Application
FIMI strongly advises all potential applicants to carefully read the official Implementation Guide before preparing their proposals. This guide provides detailed information on eligibility criteria, how to apply, project requirements, proposal formats, funding conditions, how applications will be evaluated, submission instructions, and important dates. Thoroughly studying this guide can significantly improve the quality and chances of an application being accepted.
Application Period
- Opens: June 1, 2026
- Deadline: June 30, 2026
Official Application Portal
Applicants should visit the official FIMI website to find the Implementation Guide, proposal templates, details on eligibility, and the official application forms. These resources are essential for a successful application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible to apply?
Only Indigenous Women-led groups and organizations that have not previously received support from the Ayni Fund are eligible.
2. Can grassroots community groups apply?
Yes. Community-level and grassroots initiatives are highly encouraged.
3. Are regional and national organizations eligible?
Yes. The program supports local, regional, and national-level projects.
4. What type of support does the fund provide?
The Ayni Fund provides both financial grants and technical accompaniment.
5. Can organizations submit projects related to cultural preservation?
Yes. Projects related to Indigenous wisdom, arts, culture, language, and sports are eligible.
6. Does the fund support climate-related projects?
Yes. Climate resilience and disaster risk reduction are priority thematic areas.
7. What happens after selection?
Selected organizations will receive financial support and ongoing technical guidance throughout project implementation.
8. Is previous funding experience required?
The program does not specifically require prior grant management experience, but organizations should demonstrate community leadership and project capacity.
Application Tips for Strong Proposals
To increase the chances of a successful application, consider these tips:
Clearly Define Community Impact
Clearly explain who will benefit from the project, what specific challenges it will address, what outcomes are expected, and how the project will be sustained in the long term. This shows a clear understanding of the project’s purpose and reach.
Demonstrate Indigenous Leadership
Highlight how Indigenous Women are leading the decision-making processes and are central to the project’s implementation. This emphasizes the program’s focus on Indigenous Women’s empowerment.
Align with Priority Themes
Ensure that your proposal directly addresses one or more of the seven priority thematic areas outlined by the fund. This demonstrates that your project aligns with the fund’s goals.
Include Measurable Goals
Provide clear indicators and expected results for your project. This allows for effective tracking of progress and demonstration of impact.
Showcase Cultural Relevance
Projects that are deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and reflect the realities of the community are highly valued. This shows respect for and understanding of the cultural context.
Why Indigenous Women’s Leadership Matters
Indigenous Women are leading important work in areas like climate action, food systems, peacebuilding, biodiversity conservation, human rights, and traditional medicine. Their knowledge, leadership styles, and community-focused approaches are essential for creating sustainable futures globally. The FIMI Ayni Fund recognizes that supporting Indigenous Women is an investment not just in individuals, but in entire communities and future generations. Their leadership brings unique perspectives and effective solutions to complex global challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIMI Ayni Fund?
The FIMI Ayni Fund is a global initiative by the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) that provides funding and support to Indigenous Women-led organizations and community projects.
When can I apply for the Ayni Fund?
The application period for the 2026 cycle opens on June 1, 2026, and closes on June 30, 2026.
What kind of projects does the Ayni Fund support?
The fund supports projects focused on economic empowerment, land rights, climate resilience, preventing violence, political participation, health and well-being, and preserving Indigenous wisdom, art, and culture.
Besides money, what else does the Ayni Fund offer?
The fund also provides technical accompaniment, which includes mentorship, guidance, and support for project planning, development, and evaluation.
