The FIMI Ayni Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle, offering a significant opportunity for Indigenous Women-led organizations worldwide. This program, run by the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI), aims to support groups working to advance Indigenous Women’s rights, community well-being, and collective empowerment. Beyond financial aid, the Ayni Fund provides valuable technical assistance and mentorship to ensure project success and long-term sustainability. The application period runs from June 1 to June 30, 2026.
About the FIMI Ayni Fund
The Ayni Fund is an initiative of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI), an organization dedicated to promoting the rights, leadership, and collective strength of Indigenous Women globally. The name “Ayni” comes from Indigenous traditions that emphasize reciprocity, solidarity, and mutual support. This philosophy guides the fund’s approach to community development and the empowerment of Indigenous Women leaders. The program seeks to strengthen Indigenous communities by funding projects that promote collective rights, advance women’s leadership, build community resilience, protect territories, foster sustainable development, and preserve Indigenous knowledge. The fund champions community-led change rooted in Indigenous wisdom, self-determination, and cultural identity.
What the Ayni Fund Offers
The FIMI Ayni Fund provides more than just financial grants. Selected organizations and groups receive comprehensive support designed to maximize their project’s impact and ensure its lasting success.
Financial Grant Support
Successful applicants will receive direct financial resources to carry out their proposed projects. This funding can be used for various activities, including community projects, advocacy campaigns, capacity-building workshops, cultural initiatives, climate resilience programs, leadership development, and grassroots mobilization efforts.
Technical Accompaniment
The program offers continuous technical support throughout the project’s lifecycle. This includes guidance on project development, organizational strengthening, strategic planning, and assistance with monitoring and evaluation. Participants also receive access to useful tools and ongoing mentorship. This all-encompassing support helps organizations build their capacity for long-term effectiveness and sustainability.
Priority Thematic Areas for 2026
The Ayni Fund prioritizes projects focused on community transformation within seven key thematic areas.
Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Women
Projects in this area may focus on entrepreneurship, cooperative development, creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting economic inclusion, fostering financial independence, and developing skills for community enterprises.
Access and Rights to Land and Territorial Resources
This theme supports initiatives related to land rights advocacy, territorial protection, resource governance, Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and community-based resource management.
Climate Change Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction
The fund supports projects focused on climate adaptation, environmental sustainability, utilizing traditional ecological knowledge, disaster preparedness, building resilient community systems, and implementing nature-based solutions.
Prevention and Elimination of Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls
Projects may address the prevention of gender-based violence, establishing protection systems, conducting advocacy and awareness campaigns, promoting legal empowerment, offering survivor support services, and implementing community education programs.
Political Participation and Advocacy
The fund encourages projects that promote civic participation, increase Indigenous representation, foster leadership development, support policy engagement, run advocacy campaigns, and drive community mobilization.
Holistic Health, Well-Being, and Care
This area supports projects focused on mental health, community wellness, traditional healing practices, maternal health, nutrition, collective care systems, and improving healthcare access.
Indigenous Wisdom, Art, Culture, and Sports
The fund supports initiatives that aim to preserve and promote Indigenous languages, cultural heritage, traditional arts, storytelling, music and dance, sports, youth engagement, and the transmission of knowledge between generations.
Who Can Apply?
The 2026 call is specifically for Indigenous Women-led groups and organizations that have not previously received support from the Ayni Fund. The program welcomes community-based groups, grassroots organizations, Indigenous Women’s collectives, local advocacy organizations, regional Indigenous organizations, and national Indigenous Women’s networks. Both small-scale community initiatives and larger national or regional projects are encouraged to apply.
Types of Projects Supported
The Ayni Fund values a wide range of project scopes and approaches. Eligible proposals can include community-level projects addressing local needs, local and regional programs working across multiple communities, national advocacy campaigns for policy change, cultural preservation projects, and leadership and capacity-building programs.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Indigenous Women are often at the forefront of environmental protection, cultural preservation, climate resilience, human rights advocacy, community healing, and sustainable development. However, Indigenous Women-led organizations frequently face limited access to funding and institutional support. The Ayni Fund aims to bridge this gap by directly supporting Indigenous Women’s leadership and their self-determined solutions. This initiative is particularly important given the challenges of climate change, territorial conflicts, cultural erosion, gender inequality, social exclusion, and environmental degradation. By investing in Indigenous Women’s organizations, the program contributes to building stronger, more resilient communities globally.
IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE AND APPLICATION
FIMI strongly advises all applicants to carefully review the official Implementation Guide before preparing their proposals. This guide provides detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, project requirements, proposal formats, funding conditions, evaluation criteria, submission guidelines, and important deadlines. Thoroughly studying the guide can significantly improve the quality and eligibility of applications.
Application Period
- Opens: June 1, 2026
- Deadline: June 30, 2026
Official Application Portal
Applicants should visit the Official FIMI Website to access the Implementation Guide, proposal templates, eligibility details, and official application forms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply?
Only Indigenous Women-led groups and organizations that have not previously received support from the Ayni Fund are eligible.
Can grassroots community groups apply?
Yes, community-level and grassroots initiatives are highly encouraged.
Are regional and national organizations eligible?
Yes, the program supports local, regional, and national-level projects.
What type of support does the fund provide?
The Ayni Fund provides both financial grants and technical accompaniment.
Can organizations submit projects related to cultural preservation?
Yes, projects related to Indigenous wisdom, arts, culture, language, and sports are eligible.
Does the fund support climate-related projects?
Yes, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction are priority thematic areas.
What happens after selection?
Selected organizations will receive financial support and ongoing technical guidance throughout project implementation.
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 your chances of selection, focus on these key areas:
Clearly Define Community Impact
Explain who benefits from the project, what challenges are being addressed, the expected outcomes, and how long-term sustainability will be achieved.
Demonstrate Indigenous Leadership
Highlight how Indigenous Women lead decision-making processes and project implementation.
Align with Priority Themes
Ensure your proposal directly addresses one or more of the fund’s priority thematic areas.
Include Measurable Goals
Provide clear indicators and expected results that can be tracked and evaluated.
Showcase Cultural Relevance
Projects that are deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and community realities are highly valued.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIMI Ayni Fund?
The FIMI Ayni Fund is an initiative by the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI) that provides financial and technical support to Indigenous Women-led organizations globally.
When can I apply for the 2026 grant cycle?
The application period for the 2026 grant cycle opens on June 1, 2026, and closes on June 30, 2026.
What kind of support does the Ayni Fund offer?
The fund provides direct financial grants for projects and offers ongoing technical accompaniment, including guidance on project development, strategic planning, and mentorship.
Who is eligible to apply for the Ayni Fund?
Eligibility is for Indigenous Women-led groups and organizations that have not previously received support from the Ayni Fund. This includes community-based groups, grassroots organizations, and regional or national networks.
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